Park(ing) Day is returning to downtown Phoenix on Friday, September 21st, 2012, as we step up to the curb, put a quarter in the meter, and proceed to transform curbside metered parking spots into temporary public parks.
PARK(ing) Day was originally created in 2005 by Rebar, a San Francisco-based art and design studio, as an experimental exploration in repurposing public space. Since then has been creatively adapted and sparked imaginations around the world.
PARK(ing) Day is an annual, one-day, global event that promotes the importance of green and urban public spaces. It is intended to help people rethink the way we use our streets and creates diverse conversations about how we can make sustainable cities. This concept of PARK(ing) Day is based on the idea that putting money into a parking meter is like ʻrentingʼ a public space.
Jane Jacobs, in The Death and Life of Great American Cities wrote that, in order to make a city safe, prosperous and worth living in, one must start with “lively and interesting streets.” With this end in mind, Park(ing) Day PHX is an opportunity to create community, engage the public and begin a dialogue on topics ranging from city parks and public space to the environment to mobility options and community improvement projects.
Follow the PARK(ing) Day Phoenix Facebook page for updates, details, and planned schedule (not yet out).
Event details can be found here: http://on.fb.me/TIcmtn
Hope to see you there!