Iowa City is celebrating the installation of a 40-space bicycle "parklet" with a community gathering Friday morning.
The parklet is the first of its kind in downtown Iowa City and is near Washington and Dubuque streets, in the loading zone space next to US Bank.
To unveil and celebrate the new parklet, people are encouraged to bike downtown Friday and stop by the parklet from 7:30 to 9 a.m. for complimentary Molly’s Cupcakes pastries, Java House coffee and bike-related giveaways, according to a release from the city.
OPN Architectsdesigned the parklet and titled it “Play," which is also spelled out in the design.
Money for the parklet came from the city as part of its commitment to improving bicycle friendliness and infrastructure. The city is working to update its Bike Master Plan and make additional improvements, including the installation of additional bike lanes, new repair stations and racks, and expanding trails.
TheIowa City Downtown DistrictandThink Bicycles of Johnson Countypartnered with the city on this project.