Once a year parking spaces throughout the city are transformed into actual parks, street-side oases of greenery and relaxation.
PARK(ing) Day 2012 is fast approaching, and will be Pittsburgh’s fifth year participating in this worldwide celebration of car-free urbanism.
Last year’s one-day-only event saw the city’s largest turnout yet, with over 30 parks installed on Pittsburgh streets.
The all-volunteer group behind PARK(ing) Day Pittsburgh is partnering this year with the Pittsburgh chapter of the American Institute of Architects Young Architects Forum (YAF). Upcoming workshops will be held to help interested participants bring their designs to the next level, with assistance on building materials and other structural elements.
“We always encourage plants, park benches, seating areas, just a place for people to relax and enjoy themselves,” says organizer Chuck Alcorn. “The more creative you can be the better.”
Participation is open to everyone. Alcorn hopes to grow to beyond 30 parks this year, and encourages groups and individuals to tour the numerous installations if not creating spaces themselves.
Last year park amenities included electricity-generating stationary bikes, games, food, plants, couches, and even artificial turf. Several bicycle tours were organized of the various parks throughout the city.
The deadline to apply is Friday, September 14th, a week prior to the event. Once all applications have been received, a map of all parks will be available online for download. The year's event will take place throughout the day on Friday, September 21st.
PARK(ing) Day was created by the San Francisco art and design studio Rebar in 2005. In addition to North America, events now take place in Australia, Europe, South America and Asia.
Alcorn says the purpose of the event is to get residents thinking about the built environment and the amount of space that is dedicated to cars, as well as the numerous benefits of parks in cities.
For inspiration, click
here to see photos from PARK(ing) Day Pittsburgh 2011.
Writer: Andrew Moore
Source: Chuck Alcorn