What is a Parklet?
A
Parklet is a small public park. It’s an extension of the sidewalk over an
on-street parking space. Parklets help reclaim a small amount of public space,
contributing to an active, accessible, and vibrant urban environment. Typically,
Parklets are no more than two parking spaces long, extending out from the
sidewalk to the width of the adjacent parking space.
Parklets
may be privately maintained, but must be accessible to the public. Parklets
provide amenities like bicycle parking and places to stop, sit, and rest while
enjoying the activity of the street. Parklets also contain vegetation to
provide green space. A Parklet may be thought of as permanent, but must be
designed for quick and easy removal. This is for emergencies, or other
reasons such as snow removal or utility work, without damaging the curb or
street.
Parklet
Program
In
response to recent requests by Charlotte residents to establish Parklets, the
Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) developed a pilot Parklet
Program. The Parklet Program will allow Charlotteans to design, fund and
build their own Parklets, under the guidance of the CDOT Right-of-Way
Management Section.
The Parklet Program is a part of the Charlotte
Placemaking Hub, a one-stop-shop for community placemaking tools. The
Charlotte Placemaking Hub allows residents, businesses, neighborhood
organizations, and non-profits to install their own placemaking projects - from
street murals, to Parklets, to temporary bike lanes. Visit http://www.charlottenc.gov/civicinnovation/placemaking for more.