From the Bel Air Downtown Alliance:
On September 21, in cities around the globe, artists, activists and citizens will temporarily transform metered parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces, as part of an annual event called “PARK(ing) Day”.
Originally invented in 2005 by Rebar, a San Francisco-based art and design studio, PARK(ing) Day challenges people to rethink the way streets are used and reinforces the need for broad-based changes to urban infrastructure. “In urban centers around the world, inexpensive curbside parking results in increased traffic, wasted fuel and more pollution,” says Rebar’s Matthew Passmore. “The planning strategies that generated these conditions are not sustainable, nor do they promote a healthy, vibrant human habitat. PARK(ing) Dayis about re-imagining the possibilities of the urban landscape.”
Craig Ward, President/CEO of Frederick Ward Associates (www.frederickward.com) and Past President of the Bel Air Downtown Alliance (www.downtownbelair.com), is organizing Downtown Bel Air’s PARK(ing) Day. On Friday, September 21st,8am-2pm, a series of parking spaces on Main Street – between Office Street and Pennsylvania Avenue – will be blocked off and occupied by Frederick Ward Associates, Freedom Federal Credit Union (www.freedomfcu.org), Edmeades & Stromdahl (www.eslarch.com),and CTSi (www.goctsi.com). Each business will create a themed “PARK” in their assigned parking space. The event will coincide with the Lunchtime Concerts, co-hosted by the Town of Bel Air and the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, on Office Street, 12-1pm.
“When Craig brought this idea forward, we were very excited. It is such a unique and fun way to draw attention to an important issue every city and town faces, no matter their size,”reported Scott T. Walker, Executive Director of the Bel Air Downtown Alliance. Mr. Walker added,“Sustainability is an important issue, to us, the Town of Bel Air, Harford County, the State of Maryland, and to the 28 other Maryland Main Street communities. Anything we can do in our community to promote the importance and immediacy of sustainability, we’regoing to do it. Hopefully this will be a launching point for us to develop additional activities and conversations about sustainability in our community.”
Since2005, the project has blossomed into a worldwide grassroots movement: PARK(ing) Day 2011 included 975 “PARK” installations in more than 160 cities in 35 countries on six continents. This year, the project continues to expand to urban centers across the globe.
PARK(ing) Day is an “open-source” user-generated invention created by independent groups around the globe who adapt the project to champion creative, social or political causes that are relevant to their local urban conditions. More information regarding local PARK(ing) Day activities can be found at www.downtownbelair.com and a global map of all participating cities is available on the PARK(ing) Day website, at www.parkingday.org.
Wow…maybe David Craig could even treat us to an “executive” version of “Kumbaya”.
Jesse Bane knows all the words. BTW, the concept behind this PARKing day might be fine, but the execution sounds ridiculous. We all want our kids frolicking on Main Street on a Friday.
Isn’t the whole point of Parking Day to get people in the community to create the spaces and share them with others? Look at the pictures on the global site – it’s a conglomeration of individuals’ concepts that you can view and enjoy… What’s the point of just giving spots to four businesses? And where will their advertising be ‘tastefully’ located?
BOB – PARK(ing) Day is not a county initiative.
BBC – The parking spaces will be blocked from the street side to prevent any accidents. You will be able to access the PARKS from the sidewalk.
CHRIS – The 4 businesses participating represent the businesses that CHOSE to participate. The activity was open to ALL businesses that are members of the Bel Air Downtown Alliance. We are hoping that the 4 businesses participating in 2012 will lead to more participating in 2013.
VSEITZ – Our desire to participate in PARK(ing) Day is draw attention to creating a more sustainability community. Parking is needed, but so are open, green spaces.
Scott – the point of Parking Day was not to limit it to businesses, but to have citizens of the urban areas participate. You said it was open to all BUSINESSES that are members of the Downtown Bel Air Alliance; but the site clearly says, “PARK(ing) Day is an annual worldwide event where artists, designers and citizens transform metered parking spots into temporary public parks.”
I’m just saying, if you all want to play at sustainability games, you should know what you’re getting involved in.
Chris,
No one is stopping you from creating your own park for the day. If you feel so passionate about it, you should be involved. Parking Day is open to all. Scott simply announced the idea to a network of businesses to get involved and organized a central location to gather for the day.
Thanks, Bright Oak, that’s nice to know – 4 days before an event. But I think you missed my point.
The point of parking day is more about moving people away from motor vehicles as a means of transportation than anything else. The scheme is to redevelop high density habitat where everyone can walk or bike to where they need to be. If you prefer your own car, too bad. You can’t park it and you won’t be able to afford it. Not because the market drives it but because the government will. This is what PlanMD is all about. The bike paths and scarce parking are just a part of it. I wouldn’t mind so much if the science behind it was solid. BUT IT IS NOT. The radical environmentalists like to make false claims. Even their own people know that they are on shaky ground. That is why they operate on something called the “precautionary principle”. You act in defense of nature even if the facts are not in and even if the cost will drive your economy back to trading berries for animal skins. OOOps, sorry PETA.
Another reason NOT to spend my money on main street, plenty of free parking at the mall! Way to promote main street.
Lame hipster movement. Does not surprise me that this originated from San Francisco.