Parklets must be buffered using a wheel stop at a desired distance of 1.2 m from the parklet to ensure visibility to moving traffic, pedestrians, and parked vehicles. This buffer may also serve as a space for adjacent property owners to accommodate curbside trash collection.
Incorporate vertical elements such as flexible posts or bollards to make parklets visible to traffic.
Allow a minimum width of 1.8 m for the parklet, or the width of the parking lane.
Provide small channels between the base and the platform to facilitate alternate drainage, so that the design of a parklet does not inhibit stormwater runoff.
Ensure that parklets have a flush transition at the sidewalk and curb to permit easy access and avoid trip hazards.
Place parklets at least 5 m away from the intersection. Where the installation of a parklet is under consideration for a site near an intersection, analyze volumes of turning traffic, pedestrian flows, sight lines, and visibility.
Furnish parklets in ways that make theft impossible or unlikely. Site selection should consider the level of surveillance both during the day and at night.
Use movable tables and chairs and integrate seating and other features into the parklet structure to enhance flexibility and usability. Work with partners to manage moveable furniture and potentially store them elsewhere overnight.
Designs for the substructure of a parklet vary and depend on the slope of the street and overall design of the structure. The substructure must accommodate the crown of the road and provide a level surface for the parklet.1
Deck-pedestals spaced under the surface at different heights are commonly applied to achieve flush level surface. Another method is to provide steel substructure and angled beams.
Use slip-resistant surfaces to minimize hazards and ensure wheelchair accessibility.
Load-bearing capacity of floors vary by local agency. At a minimum, design for 450 kg/m.2
Include an open guardrail to define the space. Railings should be no higher than 0.9 m and capable of withstanding at least 90 kg of horizontal force.