What Is A Parklet? City Of Duluth Offers Outdoor Options For Downtown Businesses

Our summer season is beautiful in the Northland and many people like to get outside and enjoy it while it lasts.  That's the reasoning behind a new program from the City of Duluth to enhance the downtown area.

Business owners are invited to apply for a Parklet with the city for the 2015 season.  The city is offering assistance for up to four businesses to help host a parklet for the summer.  They'll provide the funding and permitting assistance to get you started and after the season is over, the parklet is yours to keep!

What is a Parklet?  According the the City of Duluth:

A parklet is an on-street parking space repurposed as a public space for people. Parklets are intended to be aesthetic enhancements to the streetscape, providing an economical solution to the need for increased public open space. Parklets provide pedestrian features, such as seating, vegetation, bike parking, and public artwork.

There are requirements and responsibilities for interested businesses;  in other words - it's not a free ticket.  But, the city is looking to make it easy, affordable, and beneficial for businesses to participate.  The Parklet benefits the owner, their neighbors, and the city as a whole.

Interested businesses must submit an application by June 19.  You can click here to do so.  The city has also provided additional information about Parklets that is available for the general public.