West London’s First Parklet Opens in Ealing

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Temporary park created on the street within a parking bay on Bond Street

Shoppers in Ealing are the first in West London to experience a new idea brought over from San Francisco to create mini-parks on the high street.

Launched earlier this month, the temporary park created on the street within a parking bay allows visitors to Bond Street in central Ealing to sit and relax .

The parklet is designed to create an inviting and relaxing space on the street and encourage people to stop and enjoy some of the shops and eateries on Bond Street, which is an otherwise busy thoroughfare.

Seating, cycle stands and flower beds have been introduced outside VK Sport as part of the project, which is funded by Transport for London’s Future Streets Incubator and supported by Ealing Broadway BID.

The parklet will stay in Bond Street for around six weeks before moving to the Avenue in West Ealing. After that ward councillors or local community groups will be able to bid to have the parklet located in their area. The parklet has been designed to be as flexible as possible and can go on or off street, all that’s needed is a space the size of a parking bay and some imagination.

Ealing Council’s Assistant Director of Strategic Transport, Nick O’Donnell, said,“Parklets are a great way of providing a small oasis in a busy area to allow shoppers, pedestrians and cyclists to take a seat and relax. We hope that it will make the street even more attractive and encourage people to stop and enjoy some of the street’s many shops and eateries."

Ann Hunter, Chief Executive, Ealing Broadway BID, said: "This initiative breathes new life into the high street, adding new public open space, planting, seating and cycle parking. This flexible space will hopefully encourage more activity and we support innovative programmes like this which draw footfall and increase the enjoyment of the high street for customers.”

For more information about the parklet or to suggest a location email travelgreen@ealing.gov.uk.

August 26, 2015