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<\/a>\u201cI love it. We\u2019re the lucky recipients,\u201d said Arne Holt,\u00a0Caff\u00e9 Calabria owner. The coffee roaster and restaurant is footing the roughly $40,000 construction bill. \u201cI heard people talking about it and \u2026 said I wanted to [help],\u201d Holt said.<\/p>\n
The term \u201cparklet\u201d originated in San Francisco, where the first small, urban park was built in 2010. Since then, neighborhoods in cities across the country have embraced the idea, spreading to Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and Portland, Ore.<\/p>\n
They serve as an extension of the sidewalk and are typically built in areas that lack adequate open park space or where the width of the sidewalk does not accommodate vibrant street activity. Although parklets are privately funded, they are a neighborhood amenity for all to enjoy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an example of what the city can do. We\u2019ve come together with the private, non-profit and public sectors to do some good and deliver results for the community,\u201d said Council President Todd Gloria at the ceremony.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this is a great day to do that, because obviously we\u2019ve had some questions about whether or not we\u2019re making forward progress in the city,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is an excellent example of whether we\u2019re doing that, and we\u2019ll certainly be doing more in the weeks and months to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
North Park Main Street Executive Director Angela Landsberg said the idea was widely embraced by staff in the city\u2019s Development Services Department, as well as Mayor Bob Filner\u2019s office. Landsberg worked directly with Holt and Filner in proposing the parklet, and Landsberg said more are being planned throughout North Park. She is currently looking for partners to sponsor additional construction.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to create more sustainability, more walkability and more bike friendliness in North Park,\u201d she said. \u201cParklets are a great way to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joining Landsberg, Gloria and Holt at the ribbon cutting were North Park Main Street Assistant Director Kevin Clark, San Diego Planning Director Bill Fulton, Linda Perine of Filner\u2019s office and Christopher Bittner of obrARCHITECTURE.<\/p>\n