About
PARK(ing) Day began in 2005 when Rebar, a San Francisco art collective, converted a single metered parking space into a temporary public park in an area of San Francisco that is underserved by public open space.
Back then the project was named simply PARK(ing), and was devised as a creative exploration of how urban public space is allocated and used. For example, up to 70% of San Francisco’s downtown outdoor space is dedicated to the vehicle, while only a fraction of that space is allocated to the public realm. Paying the meter of a parking space enables one to lease precious urban real estate on a short-term basis. What is the range of possible activities for this short-term lease?
Since 2005, the project has grown into PARK(ing) Day, an annual worldwide phenomenon, created independently by groups of artists, activists and citizens. Along the way, Rebar has been supported by several non-profits that share our values and concerns about how urban space is used. PARK(ing) Days in the past would not have been possible without support from The Trust for Public Land, Black Rock Arts Foundation and Public Architecture.
Park(ing) Day happens in DC this year on September 17th. It is a joint effort of ReadysetDC and Cluster Media, two DC -based creative enterprises that push for creative, sustainable and independent thinking in this city. To participate go here. For general questions or suggestions, email us at info@parkingdaydc.org.
Washington, DC Park Ideas
These are just some park concepts we’re throwing out there; we’d love your feedback, input and ultimately your participation. Together we can make these locations really unique. Read on…
Tentative Location 1: Georgetown
Join us for a civilized game of croquet and horseshoes, as well as ice-cold lemonade. We’ll probably have other sand, grass, or bar games set up, and wouldn’t the day be incomplete without delicious frozen yogurt?
Tentative Location 2: U Street
14th and U is alive with artists and music, so what better way to honor our beloved corridor with a day of Jazz, local musicians, poetry readings, and possibly cupcakes?
Tentative Location 3: Gallery Place
Step up to our soccer themed park, have a sip of some local coffee, and score a goal in support of the district’s plans for a new soccer stadium.
Tentative Location 4: Adams Morgan
Animals greet you with delicious snacks and implore you to put your mark on the nearby asphalt. Get your picture taken doing an impression of your favorite creature and learn more about animal rights.
Comments & Trackbacks
So I’ve heard that you may need a permit to set up a park, or you might be closed down. I’m thinking of doing something low key that I wouldn’t mind getting shut down, but could you let me know how easy it is to get a permit, if I’d still have time to do that by the 18th, and how I might go about doing that?
Esmeralda said on September 4th, 2009 at 11:56 amEsmeralda - We’re getting permits for the four sites we think we can mange in the short time between now and Park(ing) day. I’m managing the Georgetown location and I’d love your help giving out Lemonade and playing horseshoes with park visitors. If you’d like to help another location, let me know and we’ll get you in touch with the right person!
Brandon said on September 4th, 2009 at 5:12 pm[...] themes are the same as what we tried to outline on the “About” page earlier this month BUT we’re still accepting your ideas for how to make each park [...]
Park Location Maps and Themes « Park(ing) Day DC said on September 8th, 2009 at 11:09 am[...] Friday, September 18th, the international event known as Park(ing) Day took place here in Washington, D.C. The annual event, which transforms metered parking spaces into mini parks, began in San Francisco [...]
From Park(ing) Day, A Lesson Remembered « WORDS OF WITte said on September 22nd, 2009 at 2:27 pm