A past Park(ing) Day, a “meditation garden,” in Williamsburg. (John Del Signore/Gothamist)
Today, in Cobble Hill, the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI), along with cities, artists, activists and citizens around the globe will temporarily transform metered parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces, as part of an annual event called “PARK(ing) Day.”
BGI welcomes the public to join them for an afternoon of music, food and fun, all while supporting a good cause.
BGI, a nonprofit designing and implementing a 14-mile long recreational and transportation facility along the Brooklyn waterfront is partaking in the event for the first time this year. and from 12:00-6:00pm this Friday, a parking space outside their office at 153 Columbia Street, Brooklyn will be transformed into a public space featuring live music from Gypsy band The Bailsmen (performing 4:00-5:30pm), complimentary cupcakes, and bike parking, all in a lush garden environment courtesy of Chelsea Garden Center.
Originally invented in 2005 by Rebar, a San Francisco 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 strategies that generated these conditions are not sustainable, nor do they promote a healthy, vibrant urban human habitat. PARK(ing) Day is about re-imagining the possibilities of the metropolitan landscape.”
“We enthusiastically embrace the goals of PARK(ing) DAY and are excited to transform the parking spot in front of our offices into a lively urban oasis where none has existed before! ” said BGI Co-Founder Brian McCormick. “Change after all begins with awareness and passersby cannot possibly miss our installation” McCormick adds.
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