Manitou Springs Expands Takeout Table Program in Downtown Pocket Parks
Capitalizing on public spaces to keep the local economy strong, the Creative District is partnering with the City of Manitou Springs and the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce to create additional outdoor seating for people supporting local restaurants and cafes. With three borrowed tables from the Manitou Art Center already placed in Shoshone Park, we’re looking to expand the program with additional funding through a Parks and Recreation Board (PARAB) micro-grant and donations of patio tables and chairs from people who want to help.
“When COVID cases started to increase again in December, we saw the need to support our downtown restaurants,” said Creative District interim recovery director/executive director Becca Sickbert. “We’re excited to provide extra seating to our downtown historic businesses as capacity is limited in our restaurants due to health restrictions.”
This parklet expansion project aims to provide expanded seating options to support COVID-19 economic recovery and public health. The expansion demonstrates the kind of community partnership Manitou Springs depends on: generous in-kind support from the Manitou Arts Center, Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, and funding through the Park and Recreation Advisory Board (PARAB) / City of Manitou Springs. The extra seating space will be available to the public through the end of 2021 at least.
Learn more about how this initiative is helping local businesses: https://www.koaa.com/community/manitou-springs-setting-up-takeout-tables-to-support-local-restaurants