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An experimental environmental project was set up by REBAR in San Francisco to encourage the entire world to convert parking lots into temporary green space in a project known as PARK(ing) Day.
WORLDwidE PARK(ing) Day 2007 took place in September and was hugely successful with 180 make-shift parks set up in 47 cities around the world. Artists, activists and citizens gathered for the event with the most participants from San Francisco which had installed 58 “parks”, Los Angeles with 45 and New York City with 25 temporary public parks.
The next WORLDwidE PARK(ing) Day has been scheduled for September 19, 2008. REBAR is hoping that by that time, there will be more Parkcycles, which is seen in the main image featured in the gallery and in the video.
Other major US cities included Washington DC, Seattle, Portland, Chicago, Boston, Austin, Salt Lake City and Miami. International cities included London, Bremen, Munich, Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Toronto and Melbourne.
Anyone can join PARK(ing) Day by transforming a parking spot into a PARK(ing) space on Friday, September 21st, 2007.
See our PARK(ing) How to Manual for helpful hints.
And please read the DISCLAIMER at the bottom of this page.
Why PARK(ing)?
More than 70% of most cities' outdoor space is dedicated to the private vehicle while only a fraction of that land is allocated to open space for people. Around the nation, inexpensive curbside parking results in increased traffic, wasted fuel, and more pollution. It’s time to rethink the way streets are used!
A metered parking spot is an inexpensive short-term lease for a 10'x20' plot of land. Imagine what you can do in a space usually dedicated to private vehicle storage. Parking Day began in a single metered parking spot in San Francisco and then spread around the world. People who want more open space, less traffic, and safer streets have joined together.
PARK(ing) Day in San Francisco!
Learn from Rebar how to temporarily transform a metered parking spot into a park, a playground, or whatever you like. Read our How to Manual and create your own PARK (ing) Project.
Plan to visit Public Architecture’s brand new Sidewalk Plaza, a permanent transformation of parking spots into a new form of urban open space that will be unveiled on PARK(ing) Day!
This year, Rebar plans to take the show on the road and create the first human powered mobile park: the Parkcycle. If all goes well the Rebar crew will be PARK(ing) in your neighborhood on September 21st!
National Park(ing) Day
Rebar is partnering with The Trust for Public Land to bring you National PARK(ing) Day, a public art project and celebration of parks in places that need them most.
TPL is organizing PARK(ing) projects in numerous cities around the Nation and you can help. Get in touch with a TPL office in your community:
Matthew Shaffer
The Trust for Public Land
matthew.shaffer@tpl.org
www.tpl.org
streetscape toolkit
Following PARK(ing) Day this year, Rebar and Public Architecture will be gathering innovative tools and techniques from around the globe to create a comprehensive manual on temporary street interventions, simple ways to implement permanent public places, and new forms of urban open space. Stay tuned!
BE A PART OF A PARK(ing) DAY DOCUMENTARY!
Let us know when and where you are PARK(ing). We'll put you on our map that we'll publish before the event.
REBAR will be producing a documentary of the happenings on PARK(ing) Day. To have your photos and video included in the piece, create a flickr and / or YouTube page and contact us at:
parkingday@rebargroup.org
DISCLAIMER
Participation in PARK(ing) Day is at your own risk! You will be acting independently of REBAR, The Trust for Public Land and Public Architecture. Neither REBAR nor TPL nor Public Architecture is liable for your actions. Obey the law and have fun!
By participating in PARK(ing) Day, you voluntarily and entirely assume the risk of liability and agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Rebar Group, Inc., Public Architecture, The Trust for Public Land and their respective employees, officers, directors and members. You also agree to obey the law and the directives of any duly-authorized law enforcement officer.
Remember, PARK(ing) Day is about operating for the broader public good!
(parkingday.org)
References: parkingday.org
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