Mark your diaries – World Park(ing) Day will be celebrated around the globe on Friday, September 20th. This annual, worldwide “open-source” event gives people the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and have some fun while “greening” our cities for the day.
The concept is credited to the Rebar Group, a San Francisco design studio who (accidentally) started the movement in 2005 by creating an installation in one little metered spot for just two hours. The news of this event received worldwide attention, and suddenly a movement took hold! On this day, parking spaces around the world are commandeered for the day to create some temporary and much needed green space in our cities.
The mission of the Park(ing) Day organisation is to “call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out!”
In 2011, there were reportedly 975 temporary parks erected in 162 cities, from 35 countries and 6 continents. 2012 looked equally successful on this Park(ing) Day Map.
This video clip featuring a group from Adelaide certainly looks like the most fun ever had in two parking spaces! Congratulations to the City of Adelaide who is actively promoting the event again this year
It’s not too late…why not get a team together and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to showcase your point of view and your creativity, while enjoying some free (and green) Park(ing). Information and resources are available here; just download your parking license and get started!