Public Space Initiative Takes on a Life of Its Own

Looking at the success his neighboring restaurants were having with outdoor dining, Alan Hammond had an idea for his bookstore on Nublar Avenue.

Paleo Books had been an anchor downtown for years, a gathering place for families who would spend hours in the children’s section and play area.

“I noticed some of my slower days were when the weather was really nice,” Hammond said. “People wanted to be outside. And I saw the city had a ‘streeteries’ program… so I thought—why not the bookstore?”

It began as a modest but charming installation in a single parking space in front of the shop.

There were benches of varying sizes. A few rotating bookshelves. And at the center, a small dinosaur play area—half a dozen plastic figures set within a carefully constructed prehistoric landscape.

The scene was designed and built by local artist and Hammond’s husband, John Grant, intended as an immersive environment for children.

The dinosaur theme was inspired by Grant’s niece, Josie, who, like many three-year-olds, has a deep and unwavering interest in dinosaurs.

The installation was an immediate success.

Children enjoying playing in the street.

As use increased, the play area expanded to occupy more of the parklet. Seating was reduced to accommodate demand. For a time, this arrangement held.

Eventually, however, parents began gathering along the sidewalk edge, pulling chairs from nearby businesses, and informally extending the footprint of the space.

A second parking space was incorporated.

Then a third.

“We didn’t fully consider long-term containment,” said Assistant City Manager Ellie Sattler, who oversees the city’s public right-of-way program. “At the time, it was working.”

The installation continued to grow.

Additional dinosaurs were introduced. The landscape became more complex. Boundary conditions became less defined.

Today, the play area occupies every available on-street parking space along the 700 block of Nublar Avenue, with discussions underway regarding a potential expansion into a nearby vacant lot.

Not all stakeholders are supportive.

“Look, we love the dinosaurs,” said Ian Malcolm, who runs a barber shop across the street. “But the loss of parking on a commercial corridor like this—it’s significant.”

He paused.

“Also… there are just a lot more dinosaurs than there used to be.”

Despite concerns, the city council faces a difficult decision.

No one is eager to reverse a project that has become deeply embedded in the daily life of the neighborhood.

Site plan for Nublar Bookstore Sidewalk Extension Program

The space is now commonly referred to as Jurassic Parklet.

Even Hammond acknowledges the situation has evolved beyond its original scope.

“When we started, we knew it was possible,” he said. “We just… didn’t spend much time thinking beyond that.”