Community parklets coming to residential streets in Hackney
People in Hackney are being encouraged to come up with their own ideas and host brand new mini-parks as part of a new Council trial to reclaim the borough’s roads from cars.
The mini-parks - known as parklets - will replace individual parking bays on streets and transform the spaces for community use.
Applications for the trial open this Wednesday 25 July with a roadshow on Broadway Market showcasing two parklets, one of which will be set up by People's Parking Bay campaigner, Brenda Puech, where people will be able to get a flavour of the scheme and get inspired to host their own.
Residents’ ideas for parklets could include planters, benches, games, notice boards or anything else they can think of, with successful applicants able to access grants of up to £150 to help with the cost of setting them up.
We’re delighted to deliver on our commitment to residents to launch a residential parklets scheme. This is in line with the ambition in our Liveable Neighbourhoods Plan to make sure that by 2025, Hackney has the most liveable and sustainable neighbourhoods and streets in London.
Only 35% of households in Hackney own a car. Our parklets scheme will help reclaim our streets from the car and open up spaces to the whole community. By encouraging local people to join forces and host their own parklets, they will not only be able to make their street a better place, but work with their neighbours in the process. I can’t wait to see the ideas we get, and look forward to visiting the finished parklets.
The trial scheme will support 15 parklets, which will be in place from one to six months. The most successful parklets may then be able to apply to become permanent.
Residents can find out more and apply to host a parklet at www.hackney.gov.uk/parklets.
Applications close on 26 August 2018.
The Broadway Market parklets roadshow will be open at 10am-6.30pm on Wednesday 25 July.