Parking Day

Park(ing) Day planning continues and we’re still looking for Volunteers and Organizers to help scout the city for locations and dream up ideas for park activities once we solidify plans.

For potential park Organizers, don’t be afraid to get out there and walk around your neighborhood or place of business and see where a park might be installed. I’ve been telling people to consider areas along streets, near intersections, areas of concrete, near foot traffic, parking outside businesses, and within island medians. The original idea still applies; the making of parking spots into green space, however other “invisible” space that has historically been allotted for car culture is also up for grabs (concrete or “dead” medians, raised islands, and street termination points).

For Volunteers, when you register we’ll be routing you to Organizers who you can meet and work out your plans for the day. Typical Volunteer work includes being on-site in the morning for set up, hanging out in the park during the day, making art, playing music or games, or helping restore the space to its original condition when Park(ing) Day comes to an end. Volunteers need not be present the entire day but having a few people to count on will really help out the Organizers.

We’re looking forward to next steps and many more registrations!

August is upon us and the DC planning committee is excited to be dusting off their shovels and clipboards as we begin preparations for what will be DC’s second year participating in the national phenomenon known as Park(ing) Day. For anyone new to the event, Park(ing) Day happens all over the world, this year on September 17th, and involves the conversion of under-utilized public space for the purpose of setting up a temporary parks. Through this simple but transformative act, public space is re-contextualized and new ways of seeing are allowed to blossom alongside plants, flowers and trees in some cases.

This year we’re pleased to welcome a renewed partnership with ReadysetDC, the District’s self-appointed communicator of all things creative, and looking to make larger footprint than last year because of it. Last year our efforts were focused on 14th and S outside of the then nascent Garden District; this year we’re planning several locations throughout the district. Let us know if you’d like to plan your own park and we’ll help out with the details. Likewise, if you’d like to participate by joining us on Park(ing) Day, which is September 17th, let us know that as well by using the registration form.

We sincerely hope you’ll help us spread the message of the value found in and the continued need for green, public space within DC by either participating or telling everyone you know about Park(ing) Day 2010.

Sincerely,

Brandon

Friday, September 18th will be Washington, DC’s first year participating in the international event PARK(ing) Day, thanks to local garden shop Garden District. The original plan was to turn 4 on-street parking spaces into parks for the day around the city. However, complications with obtaining permits made this plan impossible. Garden District is in the process of moving to a new location across from it’s current outpost at 14th and S Street NW. The location was previously an auto shop and includes a large surface parking lot.

The PARK(ing) Day DC team will convert a portion of this lot into a park for the day, between the hours of 11AM and 9PM. This park will be larger than the original 4 spaces combined. Please come by and enjoy the green space with your friends or pet! Listen to music, play games, read a book and enjoy some refreshments.

Park(ing) Day was originally created by Rebar, a San Francisco art and design collective. It is being organized in Washington, DC by ReadysetDC and F1rst-n-R.

About Park(ing) Day and Rebar
Originally created by Rebar, San Francisco art and design collective, PARK(ing) Day is an annual, one-day, global event where artists, activists, and citizens collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spots into “PARK(ing)” spaces: temporary public parks. More info at www.parkingday.org and www.rebargroup.org.

About ReadysetDC
ReadysetDC is a blog + collection of creative projects aimed at creating awareness of everything amazing in DC, including urban development, culture + art. We seek to be a source of inspiration + a spark for discussion. More info at www.ReadysetDC.com.

About F1RSTNR
F1rst-n-R is the web site of Brandon Schmittling and exists to centralize his activity in Washington, DC and specifically the up-and-coming area known as Bloomingdale. More info at www.F1rstnR.com.

About Garden District
Garden District is an urban garden center with two shops located minutes to each other providing quality plants, pottery and solutions.  We can help you enhance your landscape, start your herb garden or find the right plant for your home or office. More info at http://www.gardendistrict-dc.com.

Contact
Justin Young
jyoun88@mac.com
240-997-6570

UPDATE: Due to difficulties obtaining permits, PARK(ing) Day DC will occur at ONE GIANT location: Garden District’s future home at 14th & S Street NW.  More info here.

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In order for Park(ing) Day DC to be successful, we need as many people as possible to pitch in. If you can help out for part of the day or all day on Friday, September 18th, please register. We get in touch with you soon afterwards. To stay in the loop, keep coming here, or follow us on Twitter!

Check out the video from Park(ing) Day NYC on StreetFilms after the jump…

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Impervious surfaces - mainly artificial structures–such as pavements (roads, sidewalks, driveways and parking lots) that are covered by impenetrable materials such as asphalt, concrete, brick, and stone–and rooftops. Soils compacted by urban development are also highly impervious. (via Wikipedia)

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