Yesterday, we were heading east on South Street and came upon a new parklet under construction at 1610 South St., in front of Pumpkin Market. This parklet comes to South Street through the efforts of both Pumpkin and SOSNA, who together applied for and received a $5,000 grant from the Parklet Pilot Program from the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities (MOTU). With this grant money, Pumpkin is taking a couple of parking spots off of South Street and is not only creating an expanded outdoor seating area for their business, but also a new public space.

Under construction

But almost finished

Design for the parklet comes from Johnston Stromberg Architecture, a design firm that’s based above a certain coffee shop at 18th & South. The rendering below shows the final layout plan for the parklet, which will include tables and chairs, planters, and paper lanterns.

Ooh, so professional

This new parklet will officially make its debut today, as part of Philadelphia’s annual Park(ing) Day. Unlike most of the mini-parks on display, however, this parklet will remain until October 22nd, at which point it will be dismantled in anticipation of the winter months. But fear not! The parket will make a triumphant return in April, and will remain in place throughout next summer.

Way to go, Pumpkin, SOSNA, and South Street West!