HYDE SQ.—The City still hasn’t found a new location for Jamaica Plain’s parklet, months after it was planned to return. future of JP’s parklet.
Boston Transportation Department spokesperson Tracey Ganiatsos told the Gazette that “BTD is still working to find a parklet location in Jamaica Plain.”
Due to ongoing utility work on Centre Street that regularly takes over parking lanes, Boston Transportation Department (BTD) will not be able to install the parklet at its original location outside Old Havana restaurant at 349 Centre St. Instead, BTD, with the assistance of Hyde/Jackson Squares Main Streets (HJSMS), has been looking for alternate locations in Hyde Square and in the Centre/South corridor.
There has been conflicting information on when and if the parklet will return to JP.
A parklet is a small, semi-permanent public space that resembles a deck, created from two to three parking spaces. It is intended to provide sidewalk seating for businesses and are maintained by them. Jamaica Plain’s parklet was one of the first in the city, part of a pilot program.
The pilot program has had other hurdles. Another parklet that was in Mission Hill last year was moved to Roslindale this year after one of the partner businesses objected to it.