Pancake parklet may be permanent by summer

On the occasion of Park(ing) Day, a car park in central Auckland was reclaimed for pedestrians.

Friday’s wet weather did not hamper Park(ing) Day in Auckland central, an annual event where car parks around the world are turned into pop-up public parks by artists and designers.

This year, Auckland Council collaborated with The Roots Creative Entrepreneurs to create two “parklets” on Lorne St.

Waikare Komene, co-founder of The Roots, enjoyed the enthusiasm of lunch-goers for “Pancake Parklet” outside the No.1 Pancake takeaway kiosk.

“It’s all about giving the road back to people, to pedestrians,” said Mr Komene.

The parklets are stacked tyre installations made from recycled materials. Council had access to barriers and road cones which were headed for the dump, so The Roots used them as pots for native plants.

Waitematā Local Board member Pippa Coom was also celebrating the day on Lorne St as a great event to raise awareness of what’s possible for pedestrians in the inner city.

She said local businesses were happy to see a beautiful space where people can gather.

In a Twitter post, Ms Coom said the plan was for the Lorne St “Pancake Parklet” to be a permanent feature by summer.

The Roots Creative Entrepreneurs are a community development group who also work with youth to design and create artworks and objects out of recycled materials.

Mr Komene said their latest project with waste minimisation, Roots Backyard, is engaging high school students in doing garden projects with recycled materials.

“It’s about inspiring the next generation and providing them with a place to use their creativity,” he said.

“We are kaitiaki, guardians of our planet, so we’re getting our young people to think sustainably and act locally.”

More photos of the parklets were taken by @ByTheMotorway