There are lots of great ways to take dining outdoors. As well as offering takeaway options that people can access from outdoors, well-spaced outdoor tables are popular. If you are a business without your own outdoor space, ‘parklets’ are a great way to create more outdoor space for customers to use. Parklets involve turning carparking spaces into outdoor dining areas. As well as creating more outdoor seating, parklets are great because they keep the footpath clear for everyone, include disabled people. Crowded footpaths make physical distancing tougher, and discourage people from walking to their local shops or restaurants.
Here is a local ‘parklet’ guide developed by Palmerston North City Council. Wellington City Council also has a parklets programme. If you want to develop a parklet, you will need to contact your local council to find out what conditions apply in your local area.
Image credits: 1. Wellington parklet, J. Hosking. 2. Outdoor shipping container cafe, Auckland, K. Wild. 3. Parklet, Mark Hogan. 4. Whanganui parklet, Schwede66, 5. Guy outside having a beer, Elevate on Unsplash 6.Parklet, Zorro2212
