12 Inspiring mini parks created in street parking spaces

12 parking spaces converted into mini parks

We love <a href="http://parkingday.org/">PARK(ing) Day</a> and can't wait to publish your photos of parklets across the globe. Design studio <a href="http://rebargroup.org/parking/">Rebar</a> is credited with launching the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/talking-public-space-and-urban-intervention-with-san-franciscos-rebar-studio/">first parklet </a>in 2005, when they installed a guerrilla art installation in downtown San Francisco. They laid down a carpet of grass and added a park bench to a single metered parking space to highlight limited public spaces or outdoor seating. In so doing, they sparked a huge conversation about the many creative ways the two hours of “rented prime real estate” (the downtown metered parking spot) could be better used. It was such a popular idea, it exploded. And now, every year on the third Friday of September, people everywhere design <a href="http://inhabitat.com/make-your-own-diy-shipping-pallet-furniture-with-studiomamas-easy-tutorials/">DIY</a> their very own pop-up parklets <a href="http://parkingday.org/">Park(ING) Day</a>. If you're still looking for ideas, here are some awesome permanent mini parks that might just get your creative juices flowing.

<h2>1. Cumaica</h2> <a href="http://cumaica.com/">Cumaica Coffee </a>hosts this unusual and eye-catching parklet on bustling Clement Street. Designed by <a href="http://www.anzferfarms.com/">Anzfer Farms</a>, the space features a combination of one-of-a-kind handcrafted wooden sculptural furniture and lush plantings draping the sides. The location is a perfect representation of the urban challenges parklets can address - located on a bustling street filled with shops, dim sum takeout spots, coffeeshops and bakeries, the parklet provides sorely needed public seating and outdoor space where none existed.

<h2>1. Cumaica</h2> <a href="http://cumaica.com/">Cumaica Coffee </a>hosts this unusual and eye-catching parklet on bustling Clement Street. Designed by <a href="http://www.anzferfarms.com/">Anzfer Farms</a>, the space features a combination of one-of-a-kind handcrafted wooden sculptural furniture and lush plantings draping the sides. The location is a perfect representation of the urban challenges parklets can address - located on a bustling street filled with shops, dim sum takeout spots, coffeeshops and bakeries, the parklet provides sorely needed public seating and outdoor space where none existed.

<h2>2. Cinderella</h2> <a href="http://cinderellabakery.com/home.html">Cinderella Russian Bakery and Cafe</a> hosts one of San Francisco's newest parklets, designed by <a href="http://gehlarchitects.com/">Gehl Studio</a>. The parklet overflows with gorgeous plantings, succulents and flowers spilling out of wooden boxes stacked to create the edges of the space. There are also colorful chairs and tables arranged to create a garden cafe atmosphere.

<h2>2. Cinderella</h2> <a href="http://cinderellabakery.com/home.html">Cinderella Russian Bakery and Cafe</a> hosts one of San Francisco's newest parklets, designed by <a href="http://gehlarchitects.com/">Gehl Studio</a>. The parklet overflows with gorgeous plantings, succulents and flowers spilling out of wooden boxes stacked to create the edges of the space. There are also colorful chairs and tables arranged to create a garden cafe atmosphere.

<h2>3. Devil's Teeth</h2> This modern, angular wooden parklet sits outside the <a href="http://devilsteethbakingcompany.com/index.html" target="_blank">Devil's Teeth Baking Company</a> in the Outer Sunset neighborhood. The parklet was designed by <a href="http://www.matpelbuilders.com/mpb/contact" target="_blank">Shane Curnyn of Matarozzi Pelsinger</a>. Families, dogs, local workers, kids, and surfers congregate here on sunny days to chat, sip coffee and chow baked treats.

<h2>3. Devil's Teeth</h2> This modern, angular wooden parklet sits outside the <a href="http://devilsteethbakingcompany.com/index.html" target="_blank">Devil's Teeth Baking Company</a> in the Outer Sunset neighborhood. The parklet was designed by <a href="http://www.matpelbuilders.com/mpb/contact" target="_blank">Shane Curnyn of Matarozzi Pelsinger</a>. Families, dogs, local workers, kids, and surfers congregate here on sunny days to chat, sip coffee and chow baked treats.

<h2>4. Mojo</h2> Mojo Bicycle Shop and Cafe, on Divisadero Street, plays host to one of the first permanent parklets in the city. Designed by Riyad Ghannam of <a href="http://rg-architecture.com/?page_id=22">rg-architecture</a>, the parklet features planters full of tall shrubs that shield visitors from traffic alongside brightly colored cafe furniture. The parklet is often full of customers and locals enjoying coffee, beer, talking bike repair, or enjoying food from one of Mojo's regular food pop-ups.

<h2>4. Mojo</h2> Mojo Bicycle Shop and Cafe, on Divisadero Street, plays host to one of the first permanent parklets in the city. Designed by Riyad Ghannam of <a href="http://rg-architecture.com/?page_id=22">rg-architecture</a>, the parklet features planters full of tall shrubs that shield visitors from traffic alongside brightly colored cafe furniture. The parklet is often full of customers and locals enjoying coffee, beer, talking bike repair, or enjoying food from one of Mojo's regular food pop-ups.

<h2>5. Four Barrel</h2> <a href="http://fourbarrelcoffee.com/">Four Barrel Coffee</a> on Valencia Street in San Francisco's Mission District hosts a unique metalwork parklet designed by <a href="http://www.boorbridges.com/">Boor Bridges Architecture. </a> The parklet features spots to sit, stand, and hover while chatting or drinking coffee, with an extra large metalwork bike rack on the end.

<h2>6. Outerlands</h2> Sustainable New American restaurant <a href="http://outerlandssf.com/" target="_blank">Outerlands </a>sponsors a parklet right off Judah Street, decked out in muted concrete and driftwood to blend in with the often foggy weather in the neighborhood. The parklet plays host to families, kids, locals, and visitors waiting to eat the tasty bread at Outerlands.

<h2>6. Outerlands</h2> Sustainable New American restaurant <a href="http://outerlandssf.com/" target="_blank">Outerlands </a>sponsors a parklet right off Judah Street, decked out in muted concrete and driftwood to blend in with the often foggy weather in the neighborhood. The parklet plays host to families, kids, locals, and visitors waiting to eat the tasty bread at Outerlands.

<h2>7. The Mill</h2> <a href="http://www.themillsf.com/#about">The Mill</a> bakery and coffeeshop hosts a simple yet functional parklet on San Francisco's Divisadero Street. Designed by <a href="http://www.boorbridges.com/">Boor Bridges Architecture</a>, the parklet features ample wooden seating and tables, plantings on either end, a brick floor, and a large bike rack. Visitors bring their dogs, their journals, and their homework to the tables to enjoy some fresh air.

<h2>7. The Mill</h2> <a href="http://www.themillsf.com/#about">The Mill</a> bakery and coffeeshop hosts a simple yet functional parklet on San Francisco's Divisadero Street. Designed by <a href="http://www.boorbridges.com/">Boor Bridges Architecture</a>, the parklet features ample wooden seating and tables, plantings on either end, a brick floor, and a large bike rack. Visitors bring their dogs, their journals, and their homework to the tables to enjoy some fresh air.

<h2>8. Deepistan</h2> Hosted by resident Amandeep Jawa, this unusual take on the parklet design features a succulent topiary triceratops and gorgeous plantings. Designed by Jane Martin of <a href="http://www.shiftdesignstudio.com/">Shift</a>, this is the only public parklet hosted by an individual. Jawa jokingly refers to the parklet as "Deepistan National Park" and has even devoted <a href="http://deeplet.org/">a website</a> to the space, its design, and how the public can interact with it.

<h2>8. Deepistan</h2> Hosted by resident Amandeep Jawa, this unusual take on the parklet design features a succulent topiary triceratops and gorgeous plantings. Designed by Jane Martin of <a href="http://www.shiftdesignstudio.com/">Shift</a>, this is the only public parklet hosted by an individual. Jawa jokingly refers to the parklet as "Deepistan National Park" and has even devoted <a href="http://deeplet.org/">a website</a> to the space, its design, and how the public can interact with it.

<h2>9. Seabreeze/Other Avenues</h2> This Judah Street parklet is co-sponsored by Seabreeze Cafe and <a href="http://www.otheravenues.coop/" target="_blank">Other Avenues Food Co-op</a>. The wooden parklet has a unique, flowing yet angular shape, with one end resembling the prow of a boat. Designed by local studio <a href="http://www.intersticearchitects.com/" target="_blank">Interstice</a>, the parklet also features seating, standing tables, plantings, and a large bike rack.

<h2>9. Seabreeze/Other Avenues</h2> This Judah Street parklet is co-sponsored by Seabreeze Cafe and <a href="http://www.otheravenues.coop/" target="_blank">Other Avenues Food Co-op</a>. The wooden parklet has a unique, flowing yet angular shape, with one end resembling the prow of a boat. Designed by local studio <a href="http://www.intersticearchitects.com/" target="_blank">Interstice</a>, the parklet also features seating, standing tables, plantings, and a large bike rack.

<h2>10. Trouble Coffee</h2> Trouble Coffee hosts one of the most unusual parklets in our lineup. Far out in Western San Francisco near the ocean, this unique driftwood styled parklet features an enourmous eucalyptus trunk as a form of bench seating. The parklet is accented by cute succulent plantings and decorative woodworking around the edges. This parklet is a community effort, with the building materials donated by local friends, customers, and businesses.

<h2>10. Trouble Coffee</h2> Trouble Coffee hosts one of the most unusual parklets in our lineup. Far out in Western San Francisco near the ocean, this unique driftwood styled parklet features an enourmous eucalyptus trunk as a form of bench seating. The parklet is accented by cute succulent plantings and decorative woodworking around the edges. This parklet is a community effort, with the building materials donated by local friends, customers, and businesses.

<h2>11. Simple Pleasures</h2> Local cafe Simple Pleasures is a neighborhood gathering spot day and night, just blocks from Ocean Beach. The new parklet, constructed mainly from wood, features multiple levels of seating and benches for visitors to enjoy chatting, coffee, lunch, or sunning on a nice day. Designed and built by Ron Stanford at <a href="http://step3studio.com/about.html">Step 3 Studio</a>, the plantings were done by Tina Calloway at <a href="http://www.urbanfarmgirls.com/#!the-family/c1ub0">Urban Farm Girls. </a>

<h2>11. Simple Pleasures</h2> Local cafe Simple Pleasures is a neighborhood gathering spot day and night, just blocks from Ocean Beach. The new parklet, constructed mainly from wood, features multiple levels of seating and benches for visitors to enjoy chatting, coffee, lunch, or sunning on a nice day. Designed and built by Ron Stanford at <a href="http://step3studio.com/about.html">Step 3 Studio</a>, the plantings were done by Tina Calloway at <a href="http://www.urbanfarmgirls.com/#!the-family/c1ub0">Urban Farm Girls. </a>

<h2>12. Ritual</h2> <a href="http://www.ritualroasters.com">Ritual Coffee </a>hosts a fun parklet on Valencia Street. Shaped like a boat, and designed by <a href="https://www.ritualroasters.com/">Boor Bridges Architecture</a>, this parklet features seaside plantings and seating inside the boat's ribs. Seen from across the street, it looks like a shipwrecked on the sidewalk.

<h2>12. Ritual</h2> <a href="http://www.ritualroasters.com">Ritual Coffee </a>hosts a fun parklet on Valencia Street. Shaped like a boat, and designed by <a href="https://www.ritualroasters.com/">Boor Bridges Architecture</a>, this parklet features seaside plantings and seating inside the boat's ribs. Seen from across the street, it looks like a shipwrecked on the sidewalk.

Clement Street Parklet