HYDE SQ.—Jamaica Plain’s parklet, one of Boston’s first four, will be installed in late August, Boston Transportation Department (BTD) Director of Planning Vineet Gupta announced at a June 26 community meeting.
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.
Jamaica Plain is slated to get one of Boston’s first four parklets on Centre Street, across from Wyman Street. It will take up two parking spaces and was originally slated to be in place this spring. As recently as May, Gupta had announced it would likely be installed in July.
Each parklet in the City’s pilot program will be maintained by partner businesses. In Hyde Square’s case, that will be restaurant Tacos El Charro and Sonia’s Bridal & Quinceañera.
The small group of 15 community members present at the meeting generally approved of the parklet’s design, though there were requests for bike racks. The current design incorporates benches and stools along with planters and bar-height surfaces.
According to Boston-based landscape architect Kyle Zick, the designer of JP’s parklet, all structures will be covered in a protective coating to prevent graffiti.
Gupta said that the semi-permanent parklet should last at least three years before needing to be replaced. Each parklet is costing the city between $15,000 and $25,000 to create and install.
Comments on the parklet’s design can be sent to Gupta at [email protected] or to project manager Rachel Szakmary at [email protected].
Gupta said in response to a Gazette inquiry that input should be kept to smaller, detail-oriented comments.
Illustrations of JP’s forthcoming parklet seen from various angles. (Courtesy Image)