"We're positive about this. We hope it will bring more people into our business and Shoal Bay."

The parklet located outside Gianni's Ristorante Pizzeria, La Dolce Vita, Mod Thai and the Game Fish Club in Shoal Bay Road was officially opened by Port Stephens Council on Thursday.

Mr Harding, an employee and COVID marshal for La Dolce Vita, owned and operated by his son Jamie Harding, said the cafe had limited outdoor seating before the parklet was installed this week.

"Now we can offer customers more seating with a great view," Mr Harding said.

Jamie agreed, saying he thought it was "great to see something being done in the town centre".

"This will bring a bit more atmosphere to the waterfront and give people a reason to come and visit Shoal Bay," he said.

A parklet is a pathway extension that converts part of the road into a community space. The life of the Shoal Bay parklet will be determined by public feedback about it to the council.

Prior to its installation, the parklet plan was met with some opposition from Shoal Bay businesses concerned that it would take up to six car parks out the already vehicle crowded main street.

Mr Harding said the loss of parking immediately out the front of the cafe was not a concern to them.

"It's hard to find a park no matter what. The addition to the pathway is going to be of more benefit than a few less parking spaces," he said.

Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer said the council had offset the loss of parking with the creation of temporary spaces in the Shoal Bay town centre.

"While the parklets were originally slated for Nelson Bay, we listened to the communities in both Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay to get the best result. We found there were greater opportunities for improvement in Shoal Bay and plenty of support," he said.

"These parklets have been designed to increase space for cafes and restaurants, and give pedestrians more room - which is really important for welcoming people back to public spaces safely during COVID-19."

The parklet launch was complete on Thursday with live music and roaming performers on stilts, which will become the norm throughout March and April as part of Port Stephens Council's Endless Summer program.

Live music, street performers and art workshops will be on offer along the Shoal Bay Foreshore as part of Endless Summer, running each Saturday evening.

The parklet is one of a number of improvements being carried out in Shoal Bay.

Across the road from the parklet, the foreshore toilets are currently being upgraded. The new amenities block is due to be completed at the end of May and will include beach showers on the external wall.

The foreshore itself is undergoing improvements, including landscaping and earthworks, replacement of some park furniture and new shelters.

Works to install a 2.5 metre-wide shared pathway along the Shoal Bay foreshore will begin after Easter.

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