Parklet at 45th and Walnut.
Three more parklets, public seating platforms that replace parking spots, are coming to the University City area this week. A new parklet was installed near Manakeesh Cafe on Walnut Street near 45th on Tuesday. Two parklets, with new design developed by Philadelphia’s Shift Space Design, are returning to their last year’s locations today and Thursday – on 44th Street near Spruce, across from Honest Tom’s and Lil’ Pop Shop, and on Locust Street near 40th, across from Ramen Bar and Keswick Cycle.
May 15th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
I heard Little Baby’s is getting one… can anyone confirm or deny this rumor?
June 11th, 2013 at 12:22 pm
No longer a rumor — saw them installing it this morning!
May 15th, 2013 at 12:30 pm
This the dumbest idea someone could ever come up with, smh
May 15th, 2013 at 12:38 pm
interesting.
what is the smartest idea ‘someone could ever come up with’?
May 15th, 2013 at 4:14 pm
“dumbest” meaning on/near the corner of one of the busiest strips of Walnut St. in the city. The way cars speed by there turns it into Dodge City. Place it across from Saad’s, perhaps…or on 45th and Locust??
May 16th, 2013 at 7:49 am
Agreed. It’s a very busy and loud street. Can we request it to be moved?
May 16th, 2013 at 9:50 am
It’s not that bad of an idea. There is a line of parked cars on the east end of the parklet, and a large bike lane separating it on the north end from traffic. So I don’t think one would feel in danger sitting in the chairs. Cars would not be whizzing by at arm’s reach.
While it is a busy strip of Walnut, I like the idea because it encourages a slower feel to the street. Especially as opposed to things like the highway-overpass style bridge between Center City and West Philly.
May 16th, 2013 at 2:06 pm
As much as I love the parklets I might be nervous sitting here. I witnessed the aftermath of a bad accident on Walnut a few blocks from here earlier this week, when a car mowed down a traffic light at the SW corner @47th at the old West Philly High.
May 16th, 2013 at 8:48 am
Having not grown up in Philly but in a city that is known for its patios and outdoor spaces, I love the idea of these. I do agree that some are placed in precarious places that may not lend to optimal enjoyment (ie, car exhaust, noise, etc). Can we find out how they, whoever they are, choose the areas in which the parklets are placed and perhaps communicate the choices of the community with them somehow?
May 16th, 2013 at 8:51 am
Good thing those tables and chairs are bright orange.
May 16th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
I would love a parklet at Cafe Renata. 🙂
May 17th, 2013 at 7:30 am
Yes, somewhere between there and Koch’s and Evans Pizza would be good. Lots of people sitting outside there already.
May 18th, 2013 at 4:22 pm
+1 for the parklet program as a whole and for a location in front of Cafe Renata.
The Walnut St location may benefit from heavy planters or rocks to protect parklet sitters from traffic.