Happy Park(ing) Day: Go Create a Better Street

Temporary parklets are created by bringing sod, plants, tables, chairs, and art to a parking space. Depending on the resources available, the pop-up parklet can include a wooden base, specially designed tables and innovative seating arrangements, or be as simple as a blanket and some beach chairs.

There are many benefits to installing parklets in a community. For nearby business (in the New Brunswick case, a coffee shop), a parklet can provide a comfortable place for patrons to sit and enjoy their purchase. For the neighborhood, parklets can add greenery to areas that may lack it due to narrow sidewalks. For the community, parklets can also host innovative art installations and other forms of entertainment; this Friday, the organizers are planning for some light music.

However, nearby businesses may be concerned that the removal of parking spaces will negatively affect their bottom lines. Even though studies, survey and examples from other cities prove otherwise, nothing is better than a real-world example to display the benefits and generate interest in the idea.