City of Graham Mobile Parklet
About the Mobile Parklet
In 2018, City of Graham Recreation & Parks & Athletic Facilities Supervisor, Tel Fehlhafer, had an idea of upcycling discarded materials into a public space. This thinking outside the box approach of giving old materials a second chance at life not only benefits the environment through conservation, but provides a public space for people to enjoy the outdoors and the surrounding area. His idea…a Mobile Parklet, converting a small space into a small park for the public, a way to activate a public space and the streets while being accessible to all.
A Parklet is a small seating area or green space created as a public amenity on or alongside a sidewalk. While most Parklets are typically permanent or semi-permanent, this Mobile Parklet is designed to have the capability of being relocated throughout Alamance County so that other municipalities and businesses may have access. The Mobile Parklet features public seating, as well as other amenities including tables, umbrellas, and colorful flower plantings. The 22’ x 8.5’ structure is able to travel to designated spaces throughout the county to provide a place for everything from additional outdoor seating to programming space.
All items used in creating the Mobile Parklet came from around North Carolina, including the steel container for the structure, the man hole covers utilized for tabletops, and the custom sanded wood benches. Sculpted art metalwork wraps the Parklet, which is a newly added public art feature, designed and provided by a local business, Beechwood Metalworks.
The City of Graham Mobile Parklet was made possible through the assistance and support of Leadership Alamance and Impact Alamance. #GrahamMobileParklet
Where can you find the Mobile Parklet?
August – November 2020
The Mobile Parklet is currently set up at Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream in Downtown Graham. Smitty’s renewed their permit to include a collaboration with Luigi’s Pizza (located in the same shopping strip). The businesses plan to work together on promoting the space as a partnership and sharing the space for outdoor dining. A great example of Graham’s businesses working together!
So drive, bike, or walk on over to pick up a savory pizza and your favorite cold treat and visit the Mobile Parklet to kick back under the sunshine (or shady umbrellas) and enjoy the outdoors and downtown area.
Where the Mobile Parklet has Visited
July – November 2020
Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream in Downtown Graham
How to Request the Mobile Parklet
For more information about how to request the Mobile Parklet for your business, please reach out to our Marketing Supervisor, Brandy McCandless at (336) 513-5510.
Mobile Parklet Policy
Application for Temporary Encroachment for Mobile Parklet