On 8/11/2011 8:31 AM, [email protected] wrote:
1. If a "real" parklet -- as opposed to extra outdoor seating for a
private enterprise -- is desirable, I can think of a huge number
of locations where it would make more sense, as opposed to a
stone's throw from Clark Park where there's plenty of greenery,
outdoor seating, and other pedestrian amenities.
2. The fact that the parklet is on the east side of 43rd Street
where it affords extra seating for The Green Line rather than on
the west side where the patrons of The Best House could use it
speaks loud and clear of UCD's (and others') apparent
continuing attitude about the anointed who sip their lattes and
tap-tap-tap away on their laptops versus the benighted who wolf
down pizza and hoagies while guzzling beer -- and probably burp
and pass gas, occasionally, too.
I can think of several of reasons why the parklet wasn't installed by
the Best House. The most obvious reason is that the trucks that deliver
supplies to the Best House park on 43rd street. And these are _big_ soda
trucks. They really can't park on Baltimore Avenue to offload cases of
beer. I can't imagine the Best House people agreeing to give up that
space for something as strange as a parklet.
The second most obvious reason is that it was easier to get permission
to use the parking spaces from Philly Car Share. Third reason is that
the area by the Green Line has a lot more tree shade, and it makes for a
more pleasant place.
As for the provision of extra seating for either the Green Line and the
Best House... well, this is actually kind of a stupid issue. Both places
have seating to begin with. Both places have some outdoor seating. And
in case y'all haven't noticed, there's a lot _moire_ outdoor seating
across the street, at the plaza in Clark Park, at the tables and chairs
provided by the Friends of Clark Park so that people can bring their
steaks and pizzas and sodas and coffees into the park and enjoy the place.
So one can't argue that one place needs seating more than the other, and
then argue that there's no need for the Parklet. That's silly.
And y'all seem to be forgetting a _very_ important thing. The Parklet is
_not permanent_. It went up in a few hours, and it can be taken down in
a few hours, and relocated to other stores and events. Complaining about
it is like complaining about the plays or festivals in the park: just
wait a while, and whatever's pissing you off will be gone. Its placement
at the Green Line is an experiment. UCD can relocate it to any other
location you guys suggest... so why not try suggesting a few locations
to them? (In front of the pet shop and Bindlestuff Books is a possibility.)
