Live in an urban jungle that would benefit from a little less blacktop and a little more green? Create your own urban oasis by being a part of Park(ing) Day, 2010, the "annual, worldwide event that inspires city dwellers everywhere to transform metered parking spots into temporary parks for the public good." 

The global movement got its start in 2005, when super-inspired San Francisco art and design studio Rebar converted a single metered parking space into a public park replete with sod, bench, and tree. Since then, the concept has evolved and spread, with artists, activists, and citizens of cities around the world experimenting with new forms of public space and encouraging "creativity, civic engagement, critical thinking, unscripted social interactions, generosity and play." Last year, Park(ing) Day installations were erected across four continents, with citizens of 21 countries participating in over 100 cities.

Want to unpave paradise and design and build a temporary park of your own? Check out the online guidelines and participation manual to get started. Alternatively, you can visit someone else's Park(ing) day installation. Participants are mapping the locations of their parks here. Many cities also have their own dedicated Park(ing) Day sites, such as Los Angeles, New York, London, and Brisbane. Twitter is also an excellent resource for finding other Park(ing) "Day Trippers" in your hood. I'll be checking out Los Angeles-based architecture and design firm Gruen Associates' park on Wilshire Boulevard just east of Crescent Heights. Their theme this year is "Plant, Don't Park," and they'll be giving away succulents, native plants, and seedlings.

Here are a few photos from previous Park(ing) Days around the globe:

More photos for your viewing pleasure can be found in the Park(ing) Day DIY Network albums. If you build or visit a Park(ing) Day park in your city, take some pics and send 'em our way!

[Photos from Park(ing) Day DIY Network]

5 Comments