PARK(ing)
National Park(ing) Day is an initiative set up by REBAR, a San Francisco-based art collective, to temporally transform public parking spaces into parks.
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Description
National PARK(ing) Day is a one-day, global event where artists, activists, and citizens collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spots into temporary public parks by using a loophole in parking regulations that allows people to do other activities while parked. A model car is normally 'parked' within the space and the public are requested to feed the meter to allow them to stay. By creating these temporary public spaces for members of the public to use and enjoy it is aimed to be an opportunity to celebrate parks in cities and question the amount of space given over to the parking of cars within dense cities. The elements of the park, including turf, benches, tress in tubs and barriers are often brought to the site using bicycles with trailers to emphasis the flexibility of bicycles.
History
First launched in 2005 by REBAR in San Francisco[1] and in following years the concept spread to other cities and is now an annual event. In 2006, in collaboration with the Trust for Public Land (TPL), REBAR founded 'PARK(ing) Day' a global initiative to explore the creative potential of streets. In 2007 more than 150 temporary parks were created in a number of countries[2] and by 2008 more than 450 temporary parks were created in over 90 cities around the world[3].
Future events
The next National Park(ing) Day will be held on Friday, September 18th 2009.[4]
External Links
- PARK(ing) concept by REBAR
- Trust for Public Land - PARK(ing) Day Details of previous events and media coverage
- YouTube group - National Park(ing) Day
- Flickr group: National Park(ing) Day 2007
- Flickr group: 2008 Park(ing) Day
- PARK(ing) Day 2009 website
