Bianca Bharti, Daily Herald
City council passed a motion on Monday to allow Prince Albert’s Business Improvement District to build a trial parklet in front of the Rock Trout Cafe.
The motion was moved by Ward 2 councillor Terra Lennox-Zepp and seconded by Ward 1 councillor Charlene Miller.
From Aug. 1 to Sept. 15, PABID along with the restaurant, will test out the efficacy of having a parklet. Carolyn Carleton, executive director at PABID, presented city council with a letter last month asking for an encroachment permit and to waive the fee to run this project.
“With parklets, the business owner (sees) a profit, they see an increase in foot traffic — that’s an exciting venture,” Carleton said.
For the pilot project, Rock Trout Cafe will build an outdoor patio that extends onto the sidewalk and the parklet will act as a walkway for pedestrians.
Research for this began last year through the business improvement district’s reserve fund, aiming at increasing walkability in Prince Albert’s downtown core.
“I want to create an environment where you can walk around. Our warm season is so short so let’s take advantage by getting outside and doing things,” she said.
After the trial project runs, the parklet must be taken down for snow removal. However, the aim is to create parklets that can be taken down and put back together with ease, Carleton said. That way, they can be tested around various parts of the downtown area.
Overall, she said, this is an effort to revitalize the city’s downtown and encourage people to leave their car keys at home and go for a stroll in the city.
