This paper presents a two degree-of-freedom (DOF) planar parallel manipulator with two linear actuators, whose degree of freedom is dependent on a passive constraining leg connecting the base and the platform. The kinematics of the presented manipulator is first studied: the inverse and forward kinematics problems are solved in the closed form, the practical workspace is described symbolically, the Jacobian matrix is derived, and several singular conditions are discussed. Then, in order to determine the geometric parameters and the operating range of the actuators, the optimization of the mechanism is performed considering its dexterity and stiffness.