DONEGAL County Council is to develop a series of ‘parklets’ at locations across Letterkenny. Parklets convert on-street parking bays and available space on footpaths into social areas.

Popular across Europe, they are seen as a cost effective way of creating more vibrant streets, promoting economic vitality and providing green space for members of the public to sit, relax and interact.

The local authority has set aside a budget of €38,000 to create three of these in Letterkenny – at the forecourt outside An Grianán Theatre, at the old courthouse building on Justice Walsh Road and finally outside the former ‘A-Wear’ on Upper Main Street.

It had been hoped that the parklets would be in place in time for the summer season just gone however progress was hampered by the pandemic. A tender process has now been launched to find a contractor capable of manufacturing and installing the parklets in time for next spring.

“A parklets creates a space for people to sit, relax and engage with the local community in an outdoor setting,” according to the Council’s tender document.
“They are sited in busy urban areas and are easily installed without the need for construction works. Typically they occupy the size of two car parking spaces and in Letterkenny two footpath locations.”

The parklets will be child friendly and universally accessible and will provide a mix of seating, tables, barriers and pollinator friendly planting.
“They embody themes of nature, sustainability, community awareness and social engagement,” the tender document adds.

Whoever is awarded the contract will have until February 28 to complete the work. Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny and Milford Municipal District Jimmy Kavanagh said he was looking forward to seeing them in place in time for 2022’s influx of visitors.

“I appreciate that people may be concerned at the loss of parking spaces but the beauty of them is that they are flexible. If they are in a location and they aren’t working, they can be moved.

“But I do feel the locations that have been selected are good, particularly there at the front of An Grianán Theatre because there is a large space there that isn’t being fully utilised and has great potential.
“The Port Road could be doing with something a little extra and a parklet should add greatly to it.
“Definitely, I think they will be a great addition to the town and I look forward to seeing them taking shape,” he added.