Move over meter maids, there’s a new use for parking spaces. Come Friday, the number of parks in town will rise dramatically, thanks to the Pittsburgh debut of
National PARK(ing) Day.
Created in 2005 by San Francisco art collective Rebar, the annual nationwide event showcases temporary parks created in public parking spaces. Promoting the need for more parks in urban centers, the grassroots green-minded effort spawned 200 new parks in 50 cities around the globe in 2007.
Creative green spaces will promote biking, cultural organizations, and urban park development in Pittsburgh. With more than 20 parks (and counting!) planned, projects include an art installation in Schenley Plaza, REI spaces at SouthSide Works and a collaborative Charm Bracelet park on the North Side. One highlight includes an ARL Wildlife Center park complete with an owl and turtle on Copeland St. in front of Shadyside’s Starbucks.
“It’s turned out to be a great success. Pittsburgh is catching on to this early—it’s a young event,” says Emily Craig, with
Riverlife, which co-organized the event. “We’ve generated interest. I cannot image that it wouldn't happen next year.”
Mayor Ravenstahl’s 4th Ave. space near the City-Council Building will feature a Bike Pittsburgh park, while event co-organizer Councilman Dowd also donated his spot to the cause. To support the event, The Public Parking Authority of Pittsburgh is granting a variance for participating spaces.
In conjunction with the
2008 Land Trust Alliance Rally—America’s largest land conservation training and networking event—taking place in Pittsburgh Sept. 18-21, five Convention Center spaces will be transformed into a park.
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Jennifer BaronSource: Emily Craig, Riverlife
Image courtesy National PARK(ing) Day