We were honored to be chosen as a finalist for the world’s first ever parklet design build competition and even more ecstatic to be chosen as the winner of the competition! This event was held during the week of September 16-20 in Denver, Co by Spin Scooter Co. and The Better Block.
Our entry, the Urban Backyard, replaced one and half parking spaces with a transit stop that brings people together through leisure, games, and nature while providing safe organized micromobility parking. The Urban Backyard featured a shaded porch swing, seating for 14, several different yard games such as connect four, checkers, tic tac toe, and corn hole, as well as secure parking for six bicycles and seven scooters. We also had a variety of grasses, flowers and a 9’ tall quaking aspen tree. At night the parklet was illuminated by multicolor LED string lighting.
The overall concept was conceived in partnership with Confluence and we spent the week in Denver building the structure. We took first place in the Judge’s Choice, which included Blaine Merker, the designer of the first ever parklet! The ‘Urban Backyard’ will be on display all week in downtown Denver on the corner of 14th and Curtis directly across the street from the Opera House.
Upon returning to KCMO with inspiration to build a few here, we learned there is currently not a permit process allowing for parklets in Kansas City. Fortunately, city leaders, led by 4th district city council member Eric Bunch, are currently drafting an ordinance to allow for parklets in our city.
Once this goes into place we hope to partner with local organizations and businesses to bring these to the streets of Kansas City!
