The parklets were the first ever within the City of Perth and aimed to increase vibrancy, support local business and foster community engagement by offering additional outdoor seating, a free community library and designated dog area. There were also free music performances on Fridays throughout May.
To measure the success of the parklets, foot traffic data was captured and an online survey was conducted to evaluate public and trader perceptions.
The survey found 89 per cent of participants enjoyed having the parklets on Hampden Road and traders were overall supportive of the initiative with 67 per cent agreeing or strongly agreeing that the parklets increased visitation to Hampden Road.
Feedback also indicated local community members and businesses would like to see the parklets stay in place.
The foot traffic data showed a steady increase in local footfall activity throughout the trial with a 35 per cent average increase in footfall on Thursdays and 20 per cent average increase on Fridays.
“The positive results from the trial indicate the parklets have brought more people to the area and encouraged them to linger longer which, in turn, has increased exposure for local business,” City of Perth Chair Commissioner Eric Lumsden said.
“This highlights the importance of street level activation and the City will work to ensure these parklets continue to bring more vibrancy into the community and support local business.”
As a result of the successful trial, the City of Perth has now received requests for additional parklets to be delivered in East Perth and West Perth.
The modular nature of the parklets means they can be removed at any time in the future should local circumstances and priorities change.
Issued by: Tomi Ellis, Corporate Communications Officer, 0437 653 511, tomi.ellis@cityofperth.wa.gov.au
To measure the success of the parklets, foot traffic data was captured and an online survey was conducted to evaluate public and trader perceptions.
The survey found 89 per cent of participants enjoyed having the parklets on Hampden Road and traders were overall supportive of the initiative with 67 per cent agreeing or strongly agreeing that the parklets increased visitation to Hampden Road.
Feedback also indicated local community members and businesses would like to see the parklets stay in place.
The foot traffic data showed a steady increase in local footfall activity throughout the trial with a 35 per cent average increase in footfall on Thursdays and 20 per cent average increase on Fridays.
“The positive results from the trial indicate the parklets have brought more people to the area and encouraged them to linger longer which, in turn, has increased exposure for local business,” City of Perth Chair Commissioner Eric Lumsden said.
“This highlights the importance of street level activation and the City will work to ensure these parklets continue to bring more vibrancy into the community and support local business.”
As a result of the successful trial, the City of Perth has now received requests for additional parklets to be delivered in East Perth and West Perth.
The modular nature of the parklets means they can be removed at any time in the future should local circumstances and priorities change.
Issued by: Tomi Ellis, Corporate Communications Officer, 0437 653 511, tomi.ellis@cityofperth.wa.gov.au
Background
The parklets were installed in May 2019 on Hampden Road in Nedlands. One parklet is outside ice-cream parlour, Baskin-Robbins, with the second taking up residence outside Burgermeister.
The online survey was run throughout the trial period and evaluated public and trader perceptions of the two parklets by measuring a wide scope of feedback including parklet usage behaviour, general sentiment, community connection outcomes and impact on local business. The survey was open to the public via an online link and traders were given the additional opportunity to provide feedback through face to face interviews.
Fast facts:
- 89 per cent of survey participants indicated they enjoyed having the parklets on Hampden Road
- 67 per cent of traders agreed or strongly agreed the parklets increased visitation to Hampden Road
- Respondents were invited to provide further comments about the parklets during the survey based on their experience. 68 per cent of this feedback was happy or supportive, 14 per cent was unhappy or unsupportive and the remainder was neutral or constructive.
- There was a steady increase in local footfall activity throughout the trial with a 35 per cent average increase in footfall on Thursdays and 20 per cent average increase on Fridays according to foot traffic data which was captured using sensor technology.