No one-day parklets popped up in Mission in honor of Park(ing) Day Sept. 21, Boston Transportation Department (BTD) spokesperson Tracey Ganiatsos told the Gazette.
Sept. 21 observes “Park(ing) Day”, an international movement to reclaim parking spaces as temporary public parks for a day. Traditionally, community members create temporary parks or beaches from lawn furniture, towels, planters, umbrellas or similar equipment after acquiring a permit from BTD.
Park(ing) Day is a separate movement from the City’s parklet program, which is expected to create a semi-permanent parklet on Tremont Street in front of Lillys Gourmet Pasta next year.
Mission Hill previously had a one-day community-created parklet in 2010, according to Barry Twomey, former project cordinator of Mission Hill Main Streets. That summer, Harvard Medical students set up a parklet with music and “real turf,” Twomey said.
“I thought it was a great idea. It increased foot traffic,” he said. “It was very nice.”
A parklet is a small, semi-permanent public space that resembles a deck, created from two to three parking spaces. It may include tables and chairs, bicycle parking or planters, among other options.