FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS: Gordon Tepper, Rebecca Cheng, Matthew Leonenko and Michael Anderson | (516) 869-7794

North Hempstead, NY - North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the Town Board have announced the expansion of the Town’s “Lift Up Local” outdoor dining and business recovery initiative to include a “parklet” program designed to further assist local restaurants and food service establishments. A parklet is an extension of a sidewalk that can be used to create extra space and amenities for people using the street. The new initiative will allow participating restaurants to create parklets on the street in front of their businesses, which will permit parking spaces adjacent to storefronts to be used as outdoor dining areas. The program will also give restaurants the option to expand their outdoor dining service to the entire sidewalk provided a safe, and ramp accessible, pedestrian pathway is maintained within the parking lane. Parklet permits are available free of charge.

“Creating parklets will give our local restaurants and eateries additional space to accommodate more customers, which will be good for business,” said Supervisor Judi Bosworth. “The Town is always looking for new ways to help our residents dine local and support the businesses in our community.”

The Town, working with the Supervisor’s internal Business Recovery Response Workgroup, developed the parklet idea as another way to help businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. The Workgroup, which includes members of the Town Board, collaboratively discusses ideas that are suggested by community organizations, businesses, and individual residents with the goal of improving the quality of life for everyone in North Hempstead. The Workgroup also implemented the “Lift Up Local” initiative, which allows businesses the opportunity to close streets for outdoor dining and retail use, and provided outdoor dining tables in Town parks.

Businesses interested in creating a parklet can submit a permit application to the Town’s Building Department, which can be obtained by calling 311 or visiting: https://www.northhempsteadny.gov/content/16253/16261/16263/31912.aspx