In cities around the globe today, artists, activists and citizens will temporarily transform metered parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces, as part of an annual event called “PARK(ing) Day.”
Originally invented in 2005 by Rebar, a San Francisco-based art and design studio, PARK(ing) Day challenges people to rethink the way streets are used and reinforces the need for broad-based changes to urban infrastructure. “In urban centers around the world, inexpensive curbside parking results in increased traffic, wasted fuel and more pollution,” says Rebar’s Matthew Passmore. “The planning strategies that generated these conditions are not sustainable, nor do they promote a healthy, vibrant human habitat. PARK(ing) Day is about re-imagining the possibilities of the urban landscape.
This year Garden Station’s Project Manager, Lisa Helm, has has coordinated a park in front of Blind Bob’s in the Oregon District; and Architect, Matt Sauer has coordinated a park by the local chapter of American Institute of Architects on Main Street by Courthouse Square. MetroParks is loaning plants for the day and Green Velvet Sod Farms has donated sod, which will end up at Garden Station. The Oregon District PARK(ing) Day park will have programming throughout the day including kids activities and concerts. This is the sixth year Dayton will participate in the event, which promotes green space for people over space for cars. Ironically, there is some question whether the City of Dayton will keep Garden Station as a park or let it be developed into commercial buildings or parking space.
10 am yoga class by Day Yoga Studio
11 am Kids hour with Elizabeth
12 noon The Atira, noon concert!
1 pm Art in the park bring your sketch pad and paints!
2-3:45 pm SICSA puppies in the park
3:45 – 4:30 Stivers String Quartet
4:30-5 pm horn duets with lisa and brian
5pm TEAR DOWN with UD student helpers!
Since 2005, the project has blossomed into a worldwide grassroots movement: PARK(ing) Day 2011 – the last year statistics were collected — included 975 “PARK” installations in more than 160 cities in 35 countries on six continents. Though PARK(ing) Day now longer tracks the
number of PARKs each year, the project continues to expand to urban centers across the globe. PARK(ing) Day is an “open-source” user-generated invention created by independent groups around the globe who adapt the project to champion creative, social or political causes that are
relevant to their local urban conditions. More information regarding local PARK(ing) Day activities can be found online and a global map of all participating cities are available on the PARK(ing) Day website, at parkingday.org.
PARK(ing) Day is an “open-source” user-generated invention created by independent groups around the globe who adapt the project to champion creative, social or political causes that are relevant to their local urban conditions. A global map of all participating cities are available on the PARK(ing) Day website, at parkingday.org.
