Comments on: People, Parklets, and Pavement to Parks (plus Mojo Bicycle Café) http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/ Documenting Livable Streets Worldwide Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:10:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Eric Ruston http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-206643 Eric Ruston Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:16:57 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-206643 I think all of these concepts are fantastic.  This city is ideal for bicycling and I think we need to emphasize more of the benefits... less congestion on the streets, less pollution, etc.  By many standards, SF is one of the more progressive areas in the country or the world, for that matter.  Where is the initiative to shut down Market street to only bicycle/bus/streetcar traffic?   I think all of these concepts are fantastic.  This city is ideal for bicycling and I think we need to emphasize more of the benefits... less congestion on the streets, less pollution, etc.  By many standards, SF is one of the more progressive areas in the country or the world, for that matter.  Where is the initiative to shut down Market street to only bicycle/bus/streetcar traffic?  

]]> By: e http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-179331 e Sat, 12 Jun 2010 09:22:33 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-179331 I don't own a car and don't frequent restaurants, so neither use is that great for me. But I'd sure rather be a pedestrian walking by a bunch of people eating than a row of boring cars. I don't own a car and don't frequent restaurants, so neither use is that great for me. But I'd sure rather be a pedestrian walking by a bunch of people eating than a row of boring cars.

]]> By: James http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-168421 James Tue, 25 May 2010 23:27:49 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-168421 In response to Jason: Divisadero St., is in a tight central SF neighborhood where riding a bike to local businesses makes more sense than driving. Thus the extra bike parking in that parklet probably benefits those businesses. Mojo's 30% increase in business is testament to that. Jason, you idiot don't you know gas powered cars are cancerous dinosaurs anyway. Look at the Gulf and the alarming amount of species having trouble surviving in this warming world. Tsk, tsk! In response to Jason: Divisadero St., is in a tight central SF neighborhood where riding a bike to local businesses makes more sense than driving. Thus the extra bike parking in that parklet probably benefits those businesses. Mojo's 30% increase in business is testament to that.

Jason, you idiot don't you know gas powered cars are cancerous dinosaurs anyway. Look at the Gulf and the alarming amount of species having trouble surviving in this warming world. Tsk, tsk!

]]> By: Todd Edelman http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-166331 Todd Edelman Sat, 22 May 2010 23:53:25 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-166331 @Andy B: I normally agree with ADA-supported arguments, except in this case. No, it's not you think: What I think is that vision-impaired people are more important than motor vehicles. "Complete Streets" addresses this with its over-simplified populism, and disabled-advocacy groups simply accept that private automobiles will always be around in cities. So, as we sit at our indeed lovely parklets sipping our cappuccinos - now about 5 ft. or so closer to traffic - what will we think of that will lead us to a next, better step? @Andy B: I normally agree with ADA-supported arguments, except in this case. No, it's not you think: What I think is that vision-impaired people are more important than motor vehicles.

"Complete Streets" addresses this with its over-simplified populism, and disabled-advocacy groups simply accept that private automobiles will always be around in cities.

So, as we sit at our indeed lovely parklets sipping our cappuccinos - now about 5 ft. or so closer to traffic - what will we think of that will lead us to a next, better step?

]]> By: Clarence Eckerson, Jr. http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-164751 Clarence Eckerson, Jr. Thu, 20 May 2010 01:53:35 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-164751 Oscar, Sorry if the video doesn't make it completely clear - would love to include lots more information but the truth is we need to keep these right around 3 or 4 minutes - but as I understand it these are public spaces. Sure the business benefits from having them right outside and they agree to monitor and help with maintenance and all, but ANYONE can sit down or use the space without buying anything. There are tables and chairs and likely the folks in them will want to buy something to drink, but they are not required. There is also a bench that while I was there saw numerous people just sit on. Then there is also bike parking which is free for anyone. The truth is even if these were tables for use only by restaurants, it is a good trade in a place like NYC. It'd be great to free up the sidewalk of cafe tables and place them in the street so people can walk more comfortably! Oscar,

Sorry if the video doesn't make it completely clear - would love to include lots more information but the truth is we need to keep these right around 3 or 4 minutes - but as I understand it these are public spaces. Sure the business benefits from having them right outside and they agree to monitor and help with maintenance and all, but ANYONE can sit down or use the space without buying anything. There are tables and chairs and likely the folks in them will want to buy something to drink, but they are not required. There is also a bench that while I was there saw numerous people just sit on. Then there is also bike parking which is free for anyone.

The truth is even if these were tables for use only by restaurants, it is a good trade in a place like NYC. It'd be great to free up the sidewalk of cafe tables and place them in the street so people can walk more comfortably!

]]> By: Oscar http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-164651 Oscar Wed, 19 May 2010 20:17:53 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-164651 While we are on the topic of constructive criticism, I question the wisdom of turning public space that was reserved for cars over to private businesses. This video advocates allowing restaurants a city license to use a former public space, even if it was designated for car use, for its own private business use. Sure, the business may have its costumers take over the space, and that would entail turning a place that was inhabited by cars into a place that will be inhabited by people. But that is not a public space. This also reinforces the mistaken notion that businesses have some ownership claim to the public space around them. That is not the case under the law. While we are on the topic of constructive criticism, I question the wisdom of turning public space that was reserved for cars over to private businesses. This video advocates allowing restaurants a city license to use a former public space, even if it was designated for car use, for its own private business use. Sure, the business may have its costumers take over the space, and that would entail turning a place that was inhabited by cars into a place that will be inhabited by people. But that is not a public space.

This also reinforces the mistaken notion that businesses have some ownership claim to the public space around them. That is not the case under the law.

]]> By: Jason http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-164641 Jason Wed, 19 May 2010 20:14:42 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-164641 Parking spaces ARE valuable public spaces, you idiots. San Francisco businesses rely on tourist money to survive. Make the city hostile to drivers and your businesses will collapse. Parking spaces ARE valuable public spaces, you idiots.

San Francisco businesses rely on tourist money to survive. Make the city hostile to drivers and your businesses will collapse.

]]> By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-164561 Andy B from Jersey Wed, 19 May 2010 16:41:24 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-164561 Cool to see the NYC "temporary trial" model being applied elsewhere and over all I give San Fran major applause for taking these bold steps. However, I was just reading about ADA concerns for visually impaired pedestrians and these "Pavement to Parks" seem to have no way for blind pedestrians to detect that they are leaving the relative safety of the new park and are instead entering the street with vehicle traffic. I think many of NYC's new street parks may also have this same potential problem which is an all too often "overlooked" detail in pedestrian street design. I don't think it would take much to correct this potential problem and please consider this constructive on criticism job otherwise very well done. Well almost. While they might make a very large and cheap planter, I really don't think those dumpster are at all attractive in anyway! Yuck! Cool to see the NYC "temporary trial" model being applied elsewhere and over all I give San Fran major applause for taking these bold steps.

However, I was just reading about ADA concerns for visually impaired pedestrians and these "Pavement to Parks" seem to have no way for blind pedestrians to detect that they are leaving the relative safety of the new park and are instead entering the street with vehicle traffic. I think many of NYC's new street parks may also have this same potential problem which is an all too often "overlooked" detail in pedestrian street design. I don't think it would take much to correct this potential problem and please consider this constructive on criticism job otherwise very well done.

Well almost. While they might make a very large and cheap planter, I really don't think those dumpster are at all attractive in anyway! Yuck!

]]> By: Oscar http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-164541 Oscar Wed, 19 May 2010 15:46:28 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-164541 I used to live in Vancouver's West End, where traffic calming barriers were designed as parklets with gardens and benches. Although the concept sounds great, it came with a big problem. Cigarette addicts would take over those public spaces, effectively excluding anyone who does not want to partake in their addiction. Walking across those parklets was very uncomfortable and, for those sensitive to cigarette smoke, painful. As one would expect, the parklets were constantly littered with cigarette garbage, even though the city cleaned it often. Most people I knew in the West End dreaded each time a new bench or public sitting area was created near our building, as it would add nothing positive to our community, only cigarette smoke and littering. In principle it is great that cities are restricting car use and creating public spaces. But for those spaces need to be clean, healthy and open to everyone, instead of being allowed to turn into places for addicts to get high. I used to live in Vancouver's West End, where traffic calming barriers were designed as parklets with gardens and benches. Although the concept sounds great, it came with a big problem. Cigarette addicts would take over those public spaces, effectively excluding anyone who does not want to partake in their addiction. Walking across those parklets was very uncomfortable and, for those sensitive to cigarette smoke, painful. As one would expect, the parklets were constantly littered with cigarette garbage, even though the city cleaned it often. Most people I knew in the West End dreaded each time a new bench or public sitting area was created near our building, as it would add nothing positive to our community, only cigarette smoke and littering. In principle it is great that cities are restricting car use and creating public spaces. But for those spaces need to be clean, healthy and open to everyone, instead of being allowed to turn into places for addicts to get high.

]]> By: cr http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-164171 cr Wed, 19 May 2010 00:05:08 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-164171 It's so inspiring to see San Francisco taking the lead in rebalancing our streets. MG & all SF Locals: The YIMBYs in Noe Valley could use your help saving our plaza trial. Please take a sec to sign the online petition to show support. The neighborhood really does want this. www noevalleyplaza com It's so inspiring to see San Francisco taking the lead in rebalancing our streets.

MG & all SF Locals:

The YIMBYs in Noe Valley could use your help saving our plaza trial. Please take a sec to sign the online petition to show support. The neighborhood really does want this.

www noevalleyplaza com

]]> By: Ian Dutton http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-164001 Ian Dutton Tue, 18 May 2010 18:45:20 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-164001 The idea of converting parking space into a valuable neighborhood resource like a sidewalk cafe was proposed at a recent forum on parking policy held by my community board, covering Greenwich Village and Soho. It's great to see functional examples leading the way here in the US - and it's so well implemented!! The idea of converting parking space into a valuable neighborhood resource like a sidewalk cafe was proposed at a recent forum on parking policy held by my community board, covering Greenwich Village and Soho. It's great to see functional examples leading the way here in the US - and it's so well implemented!!

]]> By: Tami Twarog http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-163971 Tami Twarog Tue, 18 May 2010 17:53:22 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-163971 As the man says: "What's NOT to like?" As the man says: "What's NOT to like?"

]]> By: Tila Duhaime http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-163861 Tila Duhaime Tue, 18 May 2010 14:08:58 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-163861 Careful, there, guys. I'm considering moving to San Francisco based on the last few Streetfilms you've done on it. I love the pedestrian screen wipe at 2:05, too. Careful, there, guys. I'm considering moving to San Francisco based on the last few Streetfilms you've done on it. I love the pedestrian screen wipe at 2:05, too.

]]> By: tracie sanchez http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-163841 tracie sanchez Tue, 18 May 2010 13:40:52 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-163841 wonderful feature. i used to live out there. now i'm in athens/atlanta trying to lead the revolution here. i hope if we get it right you'll consider a film-let on us. glenwood park, atlantic station, decatur are heading the right direction. and we are hosting CNU new urbanism conf this week! wonderful feature. i used to live out there. now i'm in athens/atlanta trying to lead the revolution here. i hope if we get it right you'll consider a film-let on us. glenwood park, atlantic station, decatur are heading the right direction. and we are hosting CNU new urbanism conf this week!

]]> By: Dan Kaufman http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-163611 Dan Kaufman Tue, 18 May 2010 07:19:45 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-163611 This is one definition of livable streets! Well done. This is one definition of livable streets! Well done.

]]> By: Ed Pino http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-163381 Ed Pino Tue, 18 May 2010 01:35:35 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-163381 Hey Charlie are you ready toopen a cafe Hey Charlie are you ready toopen a cafe

]]> By: MG http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-163361 MG Tue, 18 May 2010 01:13:52 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-163361 To all SF locals: The part near the end where the guy says that any neighborhood should be asking for something like this; did anyone else feel like his comments were addressed directly to a certain south-of-the-Castro, NIMBY-infested neighborhood? To all SF locals: The part near the end where the guy says that any neighborhood should be asking for something like this; did anyone else feel like his comments were addressed directly to a certain south-of-the-Castro, NIMBY-infested neighborhood?

]]> By: Lars http://www.streetfilms.org/people-parklets-and-pavement-to-parks/comment-page-1/#comment-163271 Lars Mon, 17 May 2010 23:24:22 +0000 http://www.streetfilms.org/?p=35091#comment-163271 "I'll take a ham sandwich, a glass of wine, true up my back wheel - and then come get me sitting in a chair in a parking space outside." How much more awesome could this be? It's like a dream. "I'll take a ham sandwich, a glass of wine, true up my back wheel - and then come get me sitting in a chair in a parking space outside."

How much more awesome could this be? It's like a dream.

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