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Park(ing) Day Planning Meeting: Turning Metered Spots into Green Spots Monday, August 31, 2009
Park(ing) Day, a global movement to promote the use of green space in urban centers, hits Chattanooga streets once again on September 18.
Park(ing) Day started in San Francisco as an opportunity for citizens, artists, and activists to collaborate and create temporary public parks out of curbside parking spaces. According to organizers, more than 70% of most cities’ outdoor space is dedicated to private vehicles. It is from this fact that the movement, now in its fourth year, draws its momentum.
How it works: Participants in Chattanooga can pick a parking spot in town, accepting the lawful terms of using it—ie, feed the meter—and create a mini-park for the day. If inexpensive curbside parking promotes increased traffic and wasteful fuel use in the downtown area, curbside parks promote revitalized, green street-scapes. Fountains, pools, public beds, and hanging gardens have found ways into Park(ing) spots in the past, as well as park-benches and full-sized trees.
CreateHere will host a planning meeting to prepare for Park(ing) Day this Wednesday, September 2 at 6 pm. Want to get your company, school, friends involved? Looking for a way to use that kiddie pool? Join us for refreshments and idea generation.
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