Hackney,
16
December
2022
|
13:05
Europe/London

Six new parklets now open in Stoke Newington

Six new parklets have been installed and opened in Stoke Newington, providing space on the street for people to sit and relax while enjoying the area. 

Each contains a mix of seating, herbs, flowering shrubs and bike parking, and replaces a parking space, as part of the Council’s commitment to prioritising the borough’s roads for people, not cars. 

They join other sites in the borough that are designed to be cared for by the community, with the Council now seeking parklet keepers to help care for and check on some of the spaces.

The parklets in Stoke Newington are part of wider work in the area to improve public spaces, with wider pavements, new trees and four new pedestrian crossings now also complete, helping to further encourage people to walk, cycle and shop locally. 

Cllr Mete Coban, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport and Cllr Caroline Woodley, Cabinet Member for Families, Parks and Leisure, visited one of the new parklets in Nevill Road this week, which is looked after by parklet keeper Abi, owner of Rude and Everyday Sunshine. 

Cllr Mete Coban MBE, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport

Seven in 10 Hackney households don’t own a car, yet cars take up lots of space in our neighbourhoods. Parklets reclaim space from cars for the community - providing greenery, seating and a place to meet neighbours.

The new parklets, wider pavements and tree planting are designed to encourage people to walk, shop and enjoy the local area.

Cllr Mete Coban MBE, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport
Cllr Caroline Woodley, Cabinet Member for Families, Parks and Leisure

Parklets are just one of the ways we’re working to make our streets friendlier in Hackney - offering places to pause, enjoy connecting with people and with nature, and making the borough a more peaceful and relaxing place to be.

Cllr Caroline Woodley, Cabinet Member for Families, Parks and Leisure

It’s been amazing for us. We really wanted one because it’s the perfect spot. What’s lovely is that it’s used all the time. We’re only open four days a week but people are constantly here. We’re a community cafe so everyone feels comfortable sitting here.

Abi, owner of Rude and Everyday Sunshine

Residents, businesses or community groups can apply to create their own parklet. The application form and step-by-step guidance is available at hackney.gov.uk/parklets.  

Anyone interested in becoming a parklet keeper in Stoke Newington should register their interest through the website.