Tiny Parks replace parking spaces in San Francisco

City gearing up for more parklets

Little irritates some drivers more than losing parking spots. That is, unless it’s in true San Francisco fashion and the trade-off means more open space.

The first parklet — an extension of the sidewalk eating up one or two parking spots to create a minipark for the pubic to lounge — took seed in March 2010.

Another 15 parklets, spread across the city from the Sunset to the Tenderloin, got the green light in September. And because “all of them were quite successful,” applications for new set of parklets are being accepted through June 16, said program manager Andres Power with the Planning Department.

“Oftentimes sidewalks tend to be narrow along commercial corridors,” he said. “So parklets are a way to provide public space where there otherwise wouldn’t be room to put a bench, tables and chairs.”

Eligible applicants — namely storefront business owners, community benefit districts and nonprofits — pick up the tab, anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000.

But the city does help on coming up with a design plan that works for the area, and will clean and maintain the minipark.

The first call for proposals last fall drew about 40 applications, and this time around the Department of Public Works will approve about 25 parklet projects.

Generally, merchants who’ve traded parking spots for parklets have “seen them as being positive,” Power said.

“Even though they’re going to lose a couple parking spots, they’re getting space that encourages more people to come, which means more foot traffic,” he said.