Here is StreetFilms coverage of PARK(ing) Day, a day when people turned parking spaces into parks. You can read more about it on the Park(ing) Day website. I think the original day was organized in San Francisco but this year it was a national event.
More than 70% of most cities’ outdoor space is dedicated to the private vehicle while only a fraction of that land is allocated to open space for people. Around the nation, inexpensive curbside parking results in increased traffic, wasted fuel, and more pollution. It’s time to rethink the way streets are used!
A metered parking spot is an inexpensive short-term lease for a 10’x20′ plot of land. Imagine what you can do in a space usually dedicated to private vehicle storage. Parking Day began in a single metered parking spot in San Francisco and then spread around the world. People who want more open space, less traffic, and safer streets have joined together.
Clarence, from Streetfilms, got footage of the event in and around NYC. You can watch his 6-minute video on the Streetfilms site. Here’s what he had to say about yesterday’s happening.
This was a wonderful event, congrats to all the groups who participated. I wish I could have
gotten all the groups in, but gotta call it quits at some point and
get it up.Anyway, enjoy. The film has just been published at www.streetfilms.org
Be sure to leave feedback on the site :)
why is it assumed that a person who chooses to spend their time doing something for their community is a “poseur” with a trust fund? some people actually TAKE THE DAY OFF WORK to do this…
It’s not at all easy for people who don’t live a few blocks away to get to Prospect Park with small children. It shouldn’t be necessary to get on a bicycle, bus or subway in order to spend a few minutes outdoors.
Brooklyn needs more small neighborhood parks. Apparently the mayor agrees, as one of PlaNYC’s goals is for every New Yorker to live within a 10 minute walk of a park, and for every community to have a public plaza.
Ever hear of Prospect Park?
Easy to get to by bicycle, bus or subway.
Dave W, Park(ing) Day was definitely no joke. it was a LOT of work, but very much worth it.
at our event in Flatbush, we had dozens of people visit throughout the day, many of them parents with their kids, mentioning that there is no public place with real grass and trees in the neighborhood where all ages can relax and mingle. almost every kid asked me why we couldn’t be there every week.
What a frigging joke. Think of all the wasted fuel people used to find parking sports so these poseurs and trustafarians could make a “statement”
Hope it rains next time.