PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The city of Philadelphia has unveiled two new outdoor dining prototypes, known as “streeteries,” at Love Park as part of an effort to help restaurants expand outdoor seating options.

The installation is part of the city’s Dine Outdoors Philadelphia program, which aims to provide restaurants with streetery designs that already meet city requirements.

The two prototypes were constructed in Love Park and are intended to demonstrate pre-approved outdoor dining options that restaurants could use.

“We want the restaurants to have a standard they can try and set up that’s going to be economical for them,” said Michael Carroll, Philadelphia’s deputy managing director of the Office of Transportation & Infrastructure.

According to city officials, the program is designed to reduce costs for restaurants who would have to hire designers to create streeteries. The pre-approved designs also help ensure safety.

“It can take an impact from a vehicle and the people inside should be safe,” Carroll said.

Streeteries, which typically occupy former parking spaces, became popular during the pandemic as restaurants sought additional outdoor seating. City leaders say the added seating can help businesses and contribute to the city’s atmosphere.

“In the fall right now, it’s perfect weather to sit outside and eat and have coffee. I think it adds to the city,” said Councilmember Jim Harrity, an at-large Democrat.

The use of parking spaces for outdoor dining, however, continues to raise concerns for some residents.

“It’s hard to find parking anyway,” said Bennie Ruth of Northern Liberties who added, though, that he’d be willing to try a streetery.

Carroll said restaurants seeking a streetery must complete an application process and noted that the parking spaces involved are often used by those businesses.

“For individual restaurants, there’s an application process and typically that restaurant is the restaurant that would make use of that parking anyway,” he said.

The prototypes will remain at Love Park through November 23rd, allowing residents to view the designs, provide feedback and vote for their preferred option.

“Maybe the far one … it’s a little more cozy!” said Trisha Karasak of Fairmount Park.

City officials said restaurants are not required to choose either prototype, but the designs are available as pre-approved options. The seating areas are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through November 23rd, with food trucks nearby for visitors who want to use the seating areas.

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