JACKSON, Wyo. — At a Monday meeting, Town Council voted 3-to-2 to direct staff to draft an ordinance that would discontinue the parklet program. The vote did not end the program immediately: The ordinance must still go through three council readings, and residents can continue to weigh in during public comment.
The program, which began as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to create more space for diners outside, allows businesses to use downtown parking spaces for summer outdoor seating. According to Transportation Manager Dr. Charlotte Frei, nine businesses used 19 parking spaces for the 2026 summer season: Down On Glen (D.O.G.), Gather, Jackson Drug, the Jackson Hole Playhouse, Pearl Street Bagels, Roadhouse, Teton Tiger, Trio and The Kitchen.
Public comment reflected a divide over how those spaces should be used. Some business owners argued that parklets take away scarce parking and give some restaurants an unfair advantage to other businesses. Others said that the outdoor seating makes downtown more inviting.
“We gain a few parking spaces, but we lose part of what makes people want to be in our downtown,” said owner of Jackson Drug Nikki Gill during public comment. Gill said she was open to a fee increase if it remained reasonable and proportionate.
Owner of Lee’s Tees Lee Gardner, who opposed the program, questioned both the loss of parking and the approval of the Roadhouse parklet in front of his business. “I did not approve the parklet, but it still gets approved,” he told councilors.
Councilor Jonathan Schechter and Mayor Arne Jorgensen voted against drafting the ordinance. Council members also expressed interest in a broader look at downtown parking and how public street space is used.
