Many have been wondering about the Parklet, its origin, and where it will go next…
The Parklet was originally conceived in response to the YK Healthy Urban Policy Team - who traveled to Helsinki, Finland in 2025 and learned about the interdepartmental and collaborative efforts of the municipality with state and local organizations. There was much to learn - you can find out more in their Report Back to the Community .
In response to this journey, SHIFT NWT/YK Healthy Urban Policy Team discussed options about what kind of community-building initiative could be tested out. A parklet was chosen which involved a call for public submissions, design charrettes incorporating ideas, building sessions at Makerspace, and discussions with business owners such as Barren Ground Coffee and the Snow King Festival team.
The Parklet was first installed at the Snow Castle in March 2026, to engage people and ask where it should be located in the summer downtown Yellowknife. By July 2026 we had permission to install it downtown in a parking spot on 51st Avenue in front of Barren Ground Coffee (Thank-you Eric!!). It has been host to everyone from families, late night conversationalists, and a Weekender Episode. Used for lunches, office meetings, and meeting new friends.
This Saturday, October 17, 2026, volunteers will gather at 12pm to disassemble the Parklet for temporary storage until it emerges again for the Snow King Festival in March 2027. (If you want to help - please join us!)
The parklet will be return next summer as well… but there’s been a hum of excitement around whether or not to place it back in its Barren Ground location (Yes please!), or if it could be placed elsewhere (oooh, but where?), there’s also been some interest to construct MORE of these types of installations.
What do you think? Please fill out this Feedback Form to tell us about your experience with this public piece of infrastructure, and provide suggestions for what’s to come.
Are you an organization that would like to construct a similar parklet for another part of the city? Please reach out! info@shiftnwt.org
Here’s some of the feedback we've heard:
“[the parklet] makes Yellowknife downtown much more interesting and civically engaging which it badly needs. It would be nice if we continue to work with this idea in some fashion during all seasons of the year including the winter.”
And
“I love this space, we need to see more of these around town. What a positive impact it has had on our downtown community. Looking forward to seeing more parklets next summer :) ”
