Think 'Parklets' Would be Embraced in Downtown?

Fairfax Town officials are looking into experimenting with a parklet – or a small urban park in the space of a parallel parking spot – in downtown Fairfax.

Parklets, which are becoming increasingly common in San Francisco and other cities, include seating and possibly vegetation, bicycle parking or tables.

“Parklets take a parking space and make public space,” Jim Moore, Fairfax Director of Planning, told the Fairfax Town Council at its Nov. 7 meeting.

The Fairfax Planning Commission created an ad-hoc subcommittee that’s working on a pilot parklet project.

“The idea, in the spirit of Fairfax and volunteerism, is to make it fun,” Moore said.

The committee has been meeting with the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce and looking into testing a parklet at a temporary location for six months to a year. 

Town officials will work with local business to determine the exact placement of the parklet and to see if any want to sponsor it or help with the design or implementation.

“We are hoping to get a collaborative relationship from sponsors and to reach out to businesses so there are no feathers ruffled,” Moore said.

In San Rafael, the availability of parking is a hotly contested issue whenever new projects come through review. Supporters of parklets say the spaces could draw more pedestrians, something many downtown businesses want.

On our Facebook fan page, we asked if parklets would be embraced in downtown or other parts of San Rafeal.

"We need more outdoor spaces for eating, etc...why not?" Grant Raeside posted.

"Absolutely," Brent Segura-Bowers posted.

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