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Parklets Become Places for 'StrEateries'

The COVID-19 pandemic has moved restaurant dining outdoors and into the streets

Established in one or several parking spots, a parklet is a temporary or permanent outdoor space where people rather than cars can park.

The strange-looking word "StrEatery"— seen in the sign that's visible in the first photo below — is being used to describe the dining-style that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is becoming the restaurant norm nationwide. Scroll down to see how parklets are helping to transform streets and parking lots into fresh air eateries.


No to Parking, Yes to Eating

StrEatery

Photo by Ava Park-Matt

Hoboken, New Jersey 


Bridge Street is Closed to Cars But Open for Dinner

Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

Photo by G. Sheldon, iStock

Phoenixville, Pennsylvania


Parking for People Instead of (Three or Four) Cars

Hoboken, New Jersey

Photo by Ava Park-Matt

Hoboken, New Jersey 


Downtown Parklet Patio Dining 

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Photo by Melissa Stanton, AARP

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 


A Green Spot in a Parking Lot

New Jersey Diner

Photo by Ava Park-Matt

Hoboken, New Jersey 


Picnicking on Pavement

Texas Roadhouse in Illinois

Photo by Del Henderson Jr., iStock

Edwardsville, Illinois 


Supper in the Supermarket Parking Lot

Edgewater, Maryland

Photo by Melissa Stanton, AARP

Edgewater, Maryland


Restaurant Rows

Three parkets

Photos by Ava Park-Matt

Hoboken, New Jersey


Pop-Ups Tents and Planters Turn Parking Spaces Into a Dinner Spot

Killarney House

Photo by Melissa Stanton, AARP

Davidsonville, Maryland 


A Workaround Welcome on West Street

Annapolis, Maryland

Photo by Melissa Stanton, AARP

Annapolis, Maryland 

Published August 2020


Find Recipes for Cooking Up Parklets and More

Download or order The Pop-Up Placemaking Tool Kit.

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