25th & union parklet

community

Outside of Cortona Cafe on 25th and Union a community parklet stands, providing space for neighbors and coffee sippers to gather as a community. At the advent of the Seattle Department of Transportation’s parklet program, an awesome group of motivated community members rallied behind the creation of this Central District parklet. With contributions from the neighborhood, the Cortona Cafe team, the Franklin High School woodshop class, the Northwest African American Museum, a Volunteer Park horticulturist, the Department of Neighborhoods, Pratt Fine Arts Center and many more, this project is a massive team effort, both in its creation and its evolving life as a parklet. Site and code challenges informed the parklet’s design, leading to subtle grade changes, a planter acting as a seat back and buffer to the street, and multiple areas for sitting, gathering and playing. A series of library boxes provide visitors with readings curated by a representative from the Northwest African American Museum.  

If you are interested in creating a parklet in your community you can find more information in SDOT’s parklet handbook.