Six new parklets have been installed and opened in Hackney, 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 last month.
Cllr Coban said: “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.”
The Nevill Road parklet is looked after by Abi, owner of Rude and Everyday Sunshine.
She said: “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.”
04 January 2023