Common Ground YK: Parklet Design and Community Activation

The YK Healthy Urban Policy Team is a volunteer group that shares a vision: to help shape a healthier, more inclusive Yellowknife. We want to see public spaces that support connection, safety, and active living—in every season, for every resident. We ask: What’s possible when a city puts people at the centre of planning?

This project invites community members to co-design and build modular “parklets.” A parklet is a small, public space that reclaims an underused street parking spot as a temporary and welcoming place for people. Parklets can include seating, greenery, art, or other features that encourage social interaction, relaxation, or informal gatherings.

We’ve partnered with Makerspace YK to support construction and installations. The Snow King Festival has agreed to have the parklets be set up beside the Snow Castle for March 2026. We’re also reaching out to Yellowknife businesses interested in using these parklets in front of their shops during the summer.

We’ve launched a Call for Submissions inviting community members to share design ideas. Selected concepts will be developed further in collaboration with Makerspace YK and affiliates, leading to construction in early winter 2025/26.

Potential programming activities:

• A pop-up “Human Library” (an event fostering one-on-one conversations with volunteers—“Human Books”—who share lived experiences to challenge prejudice, build empathy, and promote inclusion).
• NGO-led programming and engagement.
• A winter biking event (During the Snow Castle!)
• Informal pop-up gatherings

We also plan to use the space as a community engagement hub, featuring:

• Interactive boards for feedback on activating public space.
• Sticker-dot voting activities for children.
• A drop-box for ideas and suggestions.
• A large Yellowknife map for input on future parklet locations.

After the Snow Castle closes in March 2026, the parklets will be stored until their summer installation in May 2026, when they will begin activating public spaces across the city.

This initiative:

• Demonstrates people-first design, making public spaces more welcoming and accessible.
• Prioritizes community voices and co-creation, reflecting diverse needs and fostering belonging.
• Builds momentum for cross-sector collaboration among NGOs, businesses, residents, and government.
  
• Provides valuable insights and data to inform future policy and planning.

This project is designed to benefit all residents of Yellowknife by creating inclusive, accessible, and welcoming public spaces that invite connection and activity year-round.

We expect the parklets to become gathering spots for a diverse range of people—starting with the youngest and oldest community members, who often face barriers to accessing safe and comfortable outdoor spaces. Children and seniors will have places to relax, play, and socialize, fostering intergenerational connections.

The parklets are intended to serve people from all backgrounds who call Yellowknife home. This includes Indigenous peoples, new immigrants, longtime residents, families, youth, and visitors. By situating the parklets throughout the city and encouraging community co-design, we aim to reflect the diversity of the community and provide spaces where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

These spaces will support casual meetups with friends, spontaneous social encounters, and community gatherings, helping to break down social isolation and encourage a stronger sense of community. Businesses that host parklets outside their shops will also benefit by attracting foot traffic and creating inviting storefronts that enhance neighborhood vitality.

Ultimately, this project envisions a Yellowknife where public spaces are vibrant, activated, and designed for people—fostering connection, health, and inclusion. We hope that everyone in Yellowknife will notice and experience positive changes in their day-to-day lives as these parklets transform underused street spaces into places that bring people together.