25 new community ‘parklets’ to be designed by residents

A council is set to build 25 new community parklets and residents are invited to submit their designs to make streets greener public spaces.

Residents of Lambeth are now able to submit their designs to the council for their own community parklet, there will be one parklet in each ward.

Designs can include creating new social spaces with tables and seating, extra cycle storage or new green space.

Parklets are car parking bays that have been repurposed to become public spaces to be enjoyed by everyone.

Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, cabinet member for sustainable Lambeth and clean air, said: “Parklets can play a huge role in bringing people together whether it’s to sit down and have a chat or work together to tend new community gardens.

“We want as many local people as possible to tell us why their areas could benefit from new public space.”

This programme is part of the council’s Big Shift scheme which encourages people to reduce their car use and chose more active forms of travel.

Lambeth council will review each submission and work with the applicants to design and deliver the completed parklets. The first 12 parklets to be delivered over the next few months.

The successful applicants must agree to maintaining the parklets once they have been created, including day-to-day upkeep, and reporting major issues to the council.

The kerbside is the largest public space controlled by Lambeth council with an area equivalent to 194 football pitches that is primarily used for car parking.

Lambeth council is reclaiming a quarter of this space to make the kerbside fairer and accessible for everyone and less dominated by motor vehicles.

Councillor Chowdhury said: “We believe that by working directly with residents, community groups and local organisations, we can make Lambeth a fairer, more accessible and climate resilient borough for everyone.”

Find out more about the Community Parklet Scheme and submit your designs before the deadline on May 28.

Pictured top: An example of what a parklet can look like (Picture: Lambeth Council)