North Park coffee roaster gets San Diego's first parklet

The city's first parklet was officially dedicated August 23, at 3933 30th Street in North Park. It's in front of Caffé Calabria, which paid for construction and will do all the maintenance. The parklet was a partnership of North Park Main Street, the City of San Diego and the North Park community.

The parklet was paid entirely by Caffé Calabria at a cost of around $40,000, according to owner Arne Holt. While almost finished, Holt said that three custom-made umbrellas are coming from Italy.

City Council President — and soon to be interim Mayor — Todd Gloria spoke at the dedication and said more parklets are coming, in Little Italy, Hillcrest and other neighborhoods. A parklet is created by taking a few parking spaces, and turning them into a mini-park. They generally include small benches or chairs, tables, plants and small trees, and sometimes artworks.

According to Wikipedia, the first official parklet was built in San Francisco in 2010. It was done through that city's “Pavement to Parks Program.” Multiple parklets have been added throughout San Francisco, in Los Angeles, and in many other cities.