News
Feet First Holds Annual PARK(ing) Day in Seattle September 17th
August 18, 2010
Seattle, WA—Feet First is orchestrating this year’s annual PARK(ing) Day, to be held on Friday, September 17th, 2010. The worldwide celebration inspires artists, activists, and citizens to independently but simultaneously temporarily transform on-street parking spots into “PARK(ing)” spaces: temporary public parks.
The purpose of PARK(ing) Day is to show city residents what urban space can look and feel like when more public land is allocated for parks, art, recreation, social interactions, and other people-centric pursuits, rather than the movement and storage of cars.
Residents and organizations are invited to coordinate with Feet First to turn a local vehicle parking space into a PARK for community enjoyment. PARKs will be set up throughout Seattle from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the day of the event. The annual worldwide celebration will conclude with an award ceremony and wrap-up party, details of which have yet to be finalized.
PARK(ing) Day began in 2005 when Rebar, a San Francisco art collective, converted a single metered parking space into a temporary public park. Since its inception, PARK(ing) Day has been grown into an international event. In 2009, over 700 PARKs were created in 21 countries all over the world.
“From public parks to free health clinics, from art galleries to demonstration gardens, PARK(ing) Day participants have claimed the metered parking space as a rich new territory for creative experimentation, activism, socializing and play,” says Blaine Merker of Rebar.
The Puget Sound region’s first PARK(ing) Day occurred in 2007 with just four PARKs. Last year, close to 50 PARKs were created around Puget Sound and this year’s goal is to double the 2009 turnout.
“This event is a great opportunity for people to see the hidden potential in every parking spot and get people thinking about the way we use our public space,” says Lisa Quinn, Feet First Executive Director.
For more information about PARK(ing) Day, contact Max Hepp-Buchanan by emailing max@feetfirst.info or calling 206-652-2310. If you are interested in participating in this year’s event, visit feetfirst.info/events/feet-first-hosts-park-ing-day for online resources such as the PARK(ing) Day Information and Training Pack and the Feet First Street Use Permit Application. Applications must be received by Feet First no later than Friday, August 27th with the $15 application fee.
Since 2001, Feet First, a designated 501(c)3 organization, has promoted walkable communities through its Safe Routes to School program, neighborhood on foot walking maps, wayfinding and unique community engagement processes.
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