Parklet is little oasis in the heart of the busy city

With shrubs, a tree, seating and bike stand, the parklet adds greenery to the street and offers a place for residents, workers, cyclists and visitors to rest.

The parklet will initially be in place for a year, and is the first of five to be set up in Islington this June – parklets will follow in Banner Street, Baldwin Street, Bickerton Road and Waterlow Road.

Cllr Claudia Webbe, Islington Council’s executive member for environment and transport, said: “We’re working hard to encourage walking and cycling in Islington, and to change streets so they work better for pedestrians and cyclists.

“This parklet offers a little oasis in the city – some shrubs and a tree to make the street more pleasant and greener – and somewhere where people can sit for a moment, or park their bike whilst resting.

“This is the first of five parklets for Islington, which will help to encourage walking and cycling instead of driving, and help to improve air quality. We look forward to bringing more parklets to Islington later this summer.”

For more on Islington’s air quality initiatives see www.islington.gov.uk/airquality

NOTES:

The parklet can be found outside St Luke’s Community Centre, 90 Central Street, London EC1V 8AJ

The Central Street Parklet will be maintained by local gardening volunteers from St Luke’s Gardening Club

Bunhill Ward Councillors recommended funding for the parklets in Central Street, Banner Street & Baldwin Street from local developer contributions, which the council approved. The parklet was also part-funded by the Old Street District Partnership.

The parklets contribute to the work of both the City Fringe Zero Emission Network and the Archway Zero Emission Network.