Community input · Active
Dwight × Telegraph Parklet Improvement
Dwight Way & Telegraph Ave, Berkeley CA 94704 · District 7
The Dwight-Telegraph triangle is an underutilized public space at one of Berkeley's busiest intersections. Currently offering no seating, no amenities, and little reason to stop, the space has real potential to serve the students, residents, and unhoused community members who pass through it daily. Plaza conducted three community input sessions to understand what people actually want — then brought that data to TBID to make it happen.
Community funding
$35K
target · funding not yet open
Pledging opens at launchNot yet funded
Pledge $1 toward this →Your pledge will be allocated toward this initiative once it enters the funding cycle. Cancel anytime.
Community input
What the community said.
Session 1 — Daytime
Weekday afternoon · Students and passersby · Whiteboard methodology · 3-2-1 Borda count
Session 2 — Evening
Weekday evening · Mixed demographic · Students, residents, unhoused community members
Session 3 — Taco Tuesday
Evening social crowd · Highest conversion rate · Most diverse respondent pool
Borda count results — all sessions combined
Benches / seating
1st
Table
2nd
Weatherproofing
3rd
Graffiti / art surface
4th
Tiny library
5th
Calisthenics equipment
6th
Drinking fountain
7th
Methodology: Each respondent ranked their top 3 preferences. First choice received 3 points, second choice 2 points, third choice 1 point (3-2-1 Borda count). Sessions approached ~85% of passersby across diverse demographics including students, professors, homeless residents, families, and evening foot traffic. Demographic note: younger respondents and homeless community members specifically advocated for inclusive non-hostile design. Older respondents showed preference for more defensive architecture.
What we're building
The improvement plan.
MVP scope reflects the top community priorities. Ideal scope adds elements if funding allows.
MVP scope
🪑
Circular bench + center table
~8ft diameter, 6 seats, 2 entry gaps, 30" center table. Inward-facing geometry encourages interaction. Hard to sleep on — activates daytime social use.
💪
Calisthenics equipment
Pull-up bar with gymnastic rings, parallel dip bars. Consolidated steel structure. Durable, zero maintenance, open to all.
💧
Drinking fountain
Bottle-fill and direct-drink fountain. Pending confirmation of original water infrastructure. Serves all community members equally.
⭕
+ Ideal scope additions
Flat sleepable bench with weatherproofing, sanctioned graffiti surface, free little library (Moe's Books partnership), warm tree-mounted lighting, native plants.
Progress
Where we are.
Community input sessions
Three field sessions conducted at the intersection. 60+ respondents across diverse demographics. Borda count data collected and documented. May 2026.
TBID partnership forming
Proposal submitted to Telegraph Business Improvement District. Working sessions underway to define roles and responsibilities.
Design phase
UC Berkeley CED and Engineering student collaborators engaged. Fabrication drawings produced for permit application.
Permit application filed
Berkeley Transportation Division parklet modification permit submitted. Estimated 4–8 week review.
Fundraising campaign
Community pledges open. Contractor quotes received. Full funding target confirmed.
Fabrication & installation
Custom elements fabricated. Installation day with community volunteers. Documentation captured.
Completion & Plaza stone
Engraved stone installed linking permanently to this documentation page. Community celebration. Target: early 2027.
Partners
Who's making this happen.
Plaza Civic Inc.
Telegraph Business Improvement District (TBID)
UC Berkeley CED — in discussion
Moe's Books — in discussion
QR
stone
stone
This page is permanent.
When the installation is complete, an engraved stone at the site will link here permanently — so anyone who visits the space can see the full story of how it came to be. Community input, funding sources, design process, and the people behind it.