Pop-up demonstration parklet, anaconda, montana

THE TIMING The temporary parklet was ready for visitors on September 23, 2014. THE LOGISTICS * The parklet project, which was built near Park and Oak streets, required outlining the parklet,

crosswalks and curb extensions with white duct tape. * Volunteers then brought in rugs and furniture, plants and art — including a pop-up mural. * The organizers put up temporary "Walk

Anaconda" signs to direct people to key destinations in the community. * Initially, police and fire department representatives expressed concerns about the safety of the parklet

installation, including the curb extensions, with their main concern being about the turning capability of large trucks. This led to the fire department actually getting into their trucks

and an ambulance to attempt to make the turn. By chance, a large motorhome also made the turn from another angle. Each vehicle was able to make the turns, although the fire truck did nick

one of the white tapelines delineating the bulb-out. A "before" and proposed "after" for Main Street. Image from the Anaconda Downtown Master Plan (March 2016) The

Anaconda Main Street Workshop focused on understanding how people engage in main streets, specifically on shopping, dining and stopping. Approximately 30 workshop attendees then participated

in a walk audit and visited the parklet demonstration site, where the group stayed for about an hour and people purchased ice cream from a new shop located on the parklet's corner.

COSTS AND CREW The project had limited funding, but the Building Active Anaconda Team was able to utilize skilled volunteers and generous business donations to complete the installation.

OUTCOMES AND NEXT STEPS The success of the impromptu large trucks test proved helpful in moving the project forward. As a direct result of the Anaconda Main Street Workshop and parklet

demonstration, a different, but overlapping, group called the Accelerate Anaconda Committee obtained county approval and funding for a parklet to be placed where the pilot pop-up project

occurred. The local job corps' welding program helped with the construction. The Accelerate Anaconda Committee also secured nearly $33,000 to develop a downtown master plan for

Anaconda. Funding sources included community development block grants, the Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, the Anaconda Community Foundation, the Anaconda Local

Development Corporation and private community funders. The assorted groups were also successful in petitioning the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to paint bike lanes west of town

and sharrows (shared vehicle and bicycle lanes) east and through the downtown. As of early 2016, the groups have not secured pedestrian curb extensions from the MDT, but the Accelerate

Anaconda Committee reports that it "will not stop working for them." The temporary parklet was permanently installed in 2016. OTHER SOLUTIONS THE FOLLOWING EFFORTS WOULD ALSO BE

HELPFUL TO ANACONDA: * Increasing streetscape amenities * Incorporating traffic calming devices (bulb-outs, island refuges and parklets) * Increasing crosswalk functionality * Establishing

bike routes or access * Increasing safety and connectivity between residences, downtown and recreational areas * Encouraging new uses for vacant or demolished lots * Building support from

the MDT to execute streetscape amenities, since much of Anaconda's downtown is along an MDT right-of-way LEARN MORE _Page published Summer 2016_