Park[ing] Day 9/21/12

A breathe of fresh air, with one less car…

Did you know today is Park[ing] Day?

As it turns out, it is! Park[ing] Day  Park[ing] Day originated in 2005 when Rebar, a San Francisco based art and design collective, transformed a metered parking spot into a park-for-a-day in an effort to make a public comment on the lack of quality open space in American cities.

Their goal was to reprogram the urban surface by reclaiming streets for people to rest, relax and play and their mission is to promote creativity, civic engagement, critical thinking, unscripted social interactions, generosity and play. Since then, Park[ing] Day has gone global and the messages are as varied as the participants. From bike corrals, reading rooms, gardening centers, workout spaces, the transformation of a parking spot for cars into something greater is only limited by the imagination.

Now every 3rd Friday in September has been adopted around the globe as Park[ing] Day.

In 2011 975 parks  were created in 162 Cities in 35 Countries on 6 Continents!

You may see Park[ing] day in action in the OC at the corner of Chapman and Pomona in Fullerton. They will be promoting concepts in sustainability, water use in the garden, and bicycle safety!

If you see Darren, tell him we sad “hi”. Great coverage of the history and current outlook at SFStreets.

h/t bikesd