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parkingdaycolumbus.org wrote
National Park(ing) Day Returns September 19
The number of downtown parks in America will increase dramatically this September.
Friday, September 19, 2008 is National Park(ing) Day, and metered public parking spots nationwide will become temporary public parks. The project is sponsored by The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national conservation nonprofit.
National Park(ing) Day was initiated following a performance by San Francisco art collective Rebar in 2005 when they re-imagine the potential of the metered parking space through the installation of sod and a park bench. In 2006, in collaboration with TPL, REBAR founded “PARK(ing) Day”: a global exploration of the creative potential of city streets.
“Our goal was to encourage people to rethink the way our streets are used, and to temporarily expand the amount of public open space in an underserved area of downtown San Francisco,”says John Bela, co-founder of Rebar. “We added 24,000 square foot-minutes of public open space that afternoon.”
“Turning parking spaces into instant parks, National Park(ing) Day is a creative way to demonstrate the real need to create more parks in our cities,” said Will Rogers, TPL president. “Across America, cities are renewing their investments in parks because our civic leaders have come to recognize that close-to-home parks, gardens, and playgrounds are essential if we are to have cities that aren’t just livable, but lovable.”
In 2007, National Park(ing) Day spawned more than 200 new parks in more than fifty cities nationwide and around the world. Photos from Park(ing) Day 2007, as well as a full list of cities with maps and details is available online at www.tpl.org/parkingday .
Supporters in cities nationwide, including New York, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Washington D.C, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Columbus have announced participation for Park(ing) Day 2008.
In Columbus, various community organizations and designers concerned with issues related to public green space, the urban environment, and transportation are planning to “park” downtown on September 19th. A walking/biking map of the sites will be available the first week in September at www.ParkingDayColumbus.org . The website also hosts more information about the event and ways to get involved.
Comments
- cheap: i highly recommend the Millersport sweet corn festival of course,the cor
- Jimmy Mak: Thanks for the write-up! Just to clarify - this is the third year we've do
- Briana Henry: Well, eventually they plan to add more bands from the region...gotta start
- bucki12: I like the business model, but the internet sales part seems like something
- racheltb: I don't see the Ohio Shrimp Fest on the list. It is truly a good time. h
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National Park(ing) Day Returns September 19
By: Walker
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Cool website and they even use the parking lot map of Downtown where the lots are marked red. Problem is, the map is showing its age.
:D That’s going to be a great day!
The website says its both Saturday the 20th and Friday the 19th. Which is it?
I am looking forward to this a bit.
Actually, it could use an update. Some of the red has been filled in or is in the process of being filled in. :D Hooray for progress!
It’s the 19th. Do you mind forwarding me the page with the 20thl
This is fantastic, Jon. I’ve scheduled it for my Venture column on Sept. 11. I’ll give you a call later today.
Really pumped about this! I want Alive to sponsor the two metered spots outside our building.
did this happen in Columbus last year? what was CPD and parking enforcement’s response to it?
This is the first one. We are working to comply with city codes regarding the parking spaces.
If any CU cyclists want to help out with a bike themed park, let me know. I am trying to get something going with Consider Biking and possibly Third Hand.
Nope…this is a Columbus 1st!
Gonna be fun!
Is the point of this to protest (maybe not the right word) how much surface parking we have in Columbus or to protest (see above) the lack of parks in Columbus?
The quote in the article says ““Turning parking spaces into instant parks, National Park(ing) Day is a creative way to demonstrate the real need to create more parks in our cities,†said Will Rogers, TPL president. “Across America, cities are renewing their investments in parks because our civic leaders have come to recognize that close-to-home parks, gardens, and playgrounds are essential if we are to have cities that aren’t just livable, but lovable.â€
But the Why Columbus page on the website for Columbus’ Parking Day focuses on the red parking lot graphic.
These seem like two different issues to me. IN MY OPINION, the parking lot issue is worth pushing but if someone thinks that we don’t have enough parks in the downtown area, they don’t get out and about enough.
edited for typos and a clarification
Occupying parking meters for the stated purpose would require various permits from the City. Seems to me it would cause harm to small businesses with no off-street parking, places like Tip Top that count on those meters for customer availability. The event is on Pearl Alley Farmer Day too, and would impact small farmers.
The idea is to essentially show what rethinking our urban spaces can do for a vibrant and livable city.
I don’t know, sounds like fun… doesn’t it… come on Roy… Now, what about public intoxication, is that allowed
Less space allocated to cars and more space allocated for people is always a good thing in my book. We need to ween Columbus off of it’s unhealthy obsession with parking, and off of it’s fear of walking and traffic congestion.
Roy… you coming out… I know you want to… we can save you a spot out side city hall with a nice river view… I hear you aren’t one to be a party pooper. Now what about lunch, can I set up my blanket for just an hour or do I need to commit the whole day?
Sometimes, but not always:
Columbus City Codes 2317.11
(B) No person, while voluntarily intoxicated shall do either of the following:
(1) In a public place or in the presence of two (2) or more persons, engage in conduct likely to be offensive or to cause inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm to persons of ordinary sensibilities, which conduct the offender, if he were not intoxicated, should know is likely to have such effect on others;
(2) Engage in conduct or create a condition which presents a risk of physical harm to himself or another, or to the property of another.
sayeth the wicked witch as she let her winged monkeys fly…….!
:lol:
What’s to say that the people hanging out in these parking-space “parks” all day wouldn’t be patronizing those businesses and/or the farmer’s market?
Besides, if someone decides not to go to Tip Top because there’s a park in the way for a day, then they probably wouldn’t be going if there were a car in their way either. Which there would be.
If a business on Gay Street can weather the storm of months of construction, then I haven no doubt they’ll be ok because one of day. If anything, this public stunt will probably draw more attention to their areas and have a more positive impact in the long run.
Really pumped about this! I want Alive to sponsor the two metered spots outside our building.
Awesome! Glad you all will be participating.
Actually, it could use an update. Some of the red has been filled in or is in the process of being filled in. :D Hooray for progress!
Especially on Gay St. The map also doesn’t account for parking garages or other buildings for cars like the auto shops along 3rd or gas stations. Where there used to be parking there should be blue squares to mark reclaimed land for people.