JACKSON, Wyo. — The al fresco dining season is here, and eight parklets are opening up around town for the 2024 summer season.
A parklet is an outdoor dining space defined by the town of Jackson as “a small public gathering space, utilizing one or more on-street parking spaces that combine elements such as seating, landscaping, shade and/or lighting.”
Similar to the “Dining Out NYC” program in New York City, the town of Jackson began permitting parklets during the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020 as a way to create more outdoor dining spaces, especially when restaurants were required to operate with lower indoor capacities. The program was most popular during the pandemic; in 2020, 15 businesses created parklets and in 2021, 20 businesses participated in the program.
Parklets became a permanent fixture in 2023 when the Jackson Town Council passed an ordinance outlining the rules and fees. Permits are $3,500 per season, which runs from April 30 through October 30.
According to the Town, eight businesses were approved to operate parklets; Jackson Drug, Gather, Pearl Street Bagels, Code Red, Trio, Down on Glen (D.O.G.), JH Playhouse & Saloon and Teton Tiger. A majority of these properties have participated in the program since 2020, and have evolved their outdoor spaces over the years, building decks, walls and adding more design elements like planters and shade to create an outdoor ambiance.
The parklet at the corner of Cache and Broadway, near Lee’s Tee’s and below Roadhouse Pub & Eatery, is one of the longest-standing seasonal parklets in town and has evolved from a beer garden with barricades and barrel tables in 2020, to a completely covered and walled space. This summer, Code Red customers are invited to use the space because Roadhouse Pub & Eatery has the balcony deck open to diners.
According to the ordinance, when the businesses using parklets are not open, the parklets must be open to the general public “for their enjoyment.” The ordinance states that all parklets must include signage indicating the hours of private operation and that the parklets are open to the public otherwise.
