From: Sonya Warry
To: Mary Gourley
Subject: Parklets in Sebastopol
Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 2:31:51 PM
Hi there, I heard that you will be discussing the parklets that have been in place here in Sebastopol. While some of the parklets have proved to be very beneficial, such as the ones by Screamin Mimi's and the sunshine cafe, the parklet at 118 Main Street in front of people's music and Sumbody has proven to be more of a nuisance than a blessing.
As a staff member at sumbody, I have been able to watch the comings and goings in that space on a daily basis, and have observed very little usage in its intended way. It serves no restaurants at this point, and has received very little pedestrian traffic over the last six months.
Its location on the main thoroughfare and so close to a stoplight makes it an undesirable place to sit and the majority of people that frequent the space are transient. It has also made our everyday procedures a bit more difficult, in that it takes up precious parking space for massage clients, and loading space for our necessary store activities on a weekly basis.
The majority of its usage has been from People's music as a place for their xylophone and piano, which is a lovely option when the Bluegrass groups have come out in the past but it is also counter all of the counties safety measures to have a party in the middle of the sidewalk outside of store fronts. Over the last year of its presence, the parklet has provided little more use than as a party stage or napping place and has created issues in the daily operations of our business.
Basically, most of the parklets are great, serve the community and are well cared for, with the exception of the one on north main. It would serve a better purpose up the block at the cookie company and the cafe there, or perhaps near other eateries elsewhere in town.
Thanks for your time,
Sonya W
Main st employee and Sebastopol resident