This Friday, September 21, it’s PARK(ing) Day where people will be changing on-street parks from car parks to people parks. Created in San Francisco by Rebar, PARK(ing) started out in 2005 as a rather playful project, premised on the idea that as long as a parking meter is paid for, then the space is technically “yours” to use.
PARK(ing) temporarily landscapes car parking spaces with trees, plants and furniture just like other streetscaping projects. The park stays as long as parking time limits allow for or until the meter runs out, then the materials are moved by bikes to be ‘parked’ elsewhere. What began as a simple idea has been taking up and creatively adapted by other individuals, groups and cities across the world. The parks are fun and surprising additions to street environments and become visible symbols of communities wanting to improve urban quality. With more than 70% of most cities’ outdoor space being dedicated to vehicles and only a fraction of that land is allocated to open space, PARK(ing) continues to broaden the important discussion about the role, provision and design of cities and public spaces.
It also makes you wonder, what else you can do in a parking space? (or better yet a whole row of them). An art space? A living room?
