To learn more about Park(ing) Day NYC or Transportation Alternatives, or to ask questions about the event, please email: info@parkingdaynyc.org.
See you in 2011! The Park(ing) Day NYC Team
To learn more about Park(ing) Day NYC or Transportation Alternatives, or to ask questions about the event, please email: info@parkingdaynyc.org.
See you in 2011! The Park(ing) Day NYC Team
Above: BQE BYO: Park(ing) Day After Party!
Thank you Park(ing) Day organizers for all of your hard work and participation in Park(ing) Day NYC 2010! Your enthusiasm and creativity are what makes this day a success year after year. As we traveled from the Upper West Side to Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn we saw so many creative spaces including Park(ing) Spots encouraging children to re-imagine their streets, others demanding more community space, and organizations and students promoting sustainable practices such as composting and green design. And all the spaces in between gave us a place to relax and enjoy some good conversations about public space with you.
We really hoped you enjoyed Park(ing) Day as much as we did and will participate next year. If you had fun out on the streets please consider hosting a space next year. Again, all that you do makes this day an eye opener for New Yorkers and an opportunity to show the potential for building up our communities.
And thank you to Architecture for Humanity, Design Trust for Public Space, DoTank: Brooklyn, Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project, and all the volunteers who made the BQE BYO: Park(ing) Day After Party such a success. And be sure to check out next months Public Space Potluck courtesy of Design Trust for Public Space, http://designtrust.blogspot.com/, to continue the dialogue about creating more public spaces in our neighborhoods.
Here is some press coverage of the event and check Flickr for photos of spaces across the city:
Flickr photos
New York Times The Local Coverage
Columbia Spectator Video Coverage
Upper West Side on Streetsblog:
Queens Coverage on Streetsblog:
L Magazine Coverage of the Time’s Up Garden Space @ Bloombergs
L Magazine Coverage of BQE BYO: A Park(ing) Day After Party
Gamma Blog Video of Lower Manhattan Park(ing) Spots
Your work has helped greatly in opening the minds of New Yorkers to the possibility of reclaiming their streets from the private automobile!
Thanks again and we’ll see you on the streets next year!
And come join us down under the BQE on Park and Washington Aves in Brooklyn from 6:00 to 8:00pm for the BYO BQE: Park(ing) Day After Party!
Transportation Alternatives is partnering with Architecture for Humanity, Design Trust for Public Space, DoTank: Brooklyn and Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project to reclaim a portion of a parking lot for a communal potluck in celebration of Park(ing) Day NYC!
Bring a dish to share since the best dish will win a $200 gift certificate from Body by Brooklyn, a local spa. Fresh Fanatic will also be providing a small amount of fresh food.
Bring some of your old and new found friends and come relax alongside other Park(ing) Day folks at the giant communal dinner table made of recycled wooden pallets from the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
And we’d like to give Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project, DoTank: Brooklyn, Design Trust and Architecture for Humanity serious props for their hard work building this amazing installation. And be sure to check out next months Design Trust for Public Space Potluck.
Directions:
C or G Train to Clinton Washington and walk north to Washington and Park Ave.
Or use the Park(ing) Day NYC Map in Google to get biking directions!
As part of our series highlighting Park(ing) Day NYC organizers we spoke with Josef Szende an Urban Planning student at Columbia, an active member of the Manhattan Young Democrats and a long time Transportation Alternatives supporter. He helped create two Park(ing) Spots last year surrounding environmental issues such as open space and sustainable transportation. This year he is helping organize a political forum on transportation in a Park(ing) Spot through the Manhattan Young Democrats (Broadway and 93rd Street, Manhattan). And he is also working with other students in Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation to create a dorm room in a Park(ing) Spot. Amazing! We had the opportunity to ask this very busy urban planner and livable streets activist about his experience with Park(ing) Days past.
Park(ing) Day NYC: What do you enjoy most about Park(ing) Day?
Josef Szende: I love so many things about Park(ing) Day. Teaching people about America’s vast parking epidemic is wonderful but I think the greatest joy of Park(ing) Day is bringing people together to make a Park(ing) spot.
PDNYC:How has Park(ing) Day helped promote Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and local issues in New York?
Left: Josef Szende being interview on Park(ing) Day 2009
JS: The timing of Park(ing) Day is great for the urban planning school year. For two years in a row we have brought together 2nd year planners and architecture students to design and build Park(ing) Spots. Both years it has served as an excellent introduction to a key lesson of urban planning: we give over too much space to cars both when they are moving and especially when they are parked. Students interested in parking or (more likely) in public space can go on to research this more during their degree.
PDNYC: Do you have any stories or memorable events from Park(ing) Day 2009?
JS: Getting on to the news with New York 1 was really amazing. They only took a short clip of me explaining Park(ing) Day and they really featured one of our spots which was great: Park(ing) Space becomes Public Place The other great thing was how people just walked up to us and started talking about transportation and cars. No matter what their opinion, the conversation is welcome and critically important to the future of the city. Even if people walk up and they seem to be very pro-car, a brand new park right in your backyard is pretty hard to argue with!
PDNYC: Has Park(ing) Day changed your view of what public space is and can be in New York City?
JS: Yes. I think it has such far-reaching potential. New York was made for Park(ing) Day. The city has truly dense and diverse uses of its streets, which are very contentious. There is no better vantage point than an on-street Park(ing) Spot for provoking debate about what can and should be in the street. It pushes us even further to consider the entire area from one row of buildings to another as a space that we don’t have to travel through but can actually stop in and enjoy. Maybe we need a new word to name these places instead of “streets”? What about Bleeker Space or Amsterdam Area?
Right: Columbia Students create green space for Park(ing) Day 2009
PDNYC: Can you tell us a bit about the spaces you’ll be creating in Morningside Heights for Park(ing) Day NYC 2010?
JS: This year we have been wondering: can you fit an entire dorm room into a parking spot? We think so. We’ll be at 113th and Broadway with a bed, desk, chairs, and a bulletin board, and we are pretty sure they’re all going to fit in there nicely. We’ll also be creating instant college memories for passers-by where we’ll take their picture and pin it up with their caption of what they would rather use a parking spot for (of course, no cars allowed!).
PDNYC: What advice can you give new Park(ing) Spot hosts?
JS: Meet as early as you can - beginning of August is a good time. I’d say it’s also nice to have a bit of a diverse team. Though not necessary, it’s really nice to have at least one person who is handy with tools and stuff. Outgoing and friendly people are really important on Park(ing) Day itself. At the end of the day any group of people can pull off an amazing Park(ing) Day spot! In terms of designing it, the more creative it is, the better. I loved last years’ Park(ing) Pit. Parks are about play and so is Park(ing) Day. We forgot to take enough photos, so please remember to do that!
PDNYC: Why do you think people should host a Park(ing) Spot?
JS: It is pure joy. Everything about it is enjoyable: thinking of crazy Park(ing) ideas with friends, gathering or building whatever materials are necessary, and being outside all day on the streets of New York. It is just so much fun.
Upper West Siders be sure to stop by and get a snap shot of your custom designed dorm at P.A.R.K (Pick A Room, Kid) on Broadway and 113th Avenue in Manhattan!
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The essence of (project) PL is to provide human friendly temporary spaces for disaster victims through sustainable “green” design.
“When examining emergency management efforts post-response / recovery, we noticed that many of the designs are innately de-humanizing… We’ve not seen the social aspect addressed in either response or recovery. In this day-in-age of social-networks, growing public spaces, and added connectivity, it’s clear that we as humans need to be social in various communities.
At right: Concept rendering of (project) PL
Place, abbreviated is “PL”, and we want to encourage these community spaces. (project) PL does this by modifying shipping containers for use as public parks, market places, squares, etc. by any community…The containers are retrofitted with solar powered wi-fi antennas, and are shipped with modular platforms as well as hand-held touchscreen computer tablets. In conjunction with relief efforts, our desire is for the communities receiving PLs to take ownership of them, which is why we’re called (project) PL. Project is intended to be substituted with the location - e.g. (New Orleans) PL. We’re dedicated to designing this environmentally sustainable electronic system for community spaces, because we live in an exciting new world where “Green Design” isn’t simply a buzz-word for the future - it’s the new standard for all design.” (courtesy of (project) PL)
Below: (Brooklyn) PL under Construction
(Brooklyn) PL will be on display in conjunction with Park(ing) Day at Pratt Institute’s 2nd Floor Main Gallery on DeKalb Avenue between Steuben Street and Grand Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. The Opening Reception is Thursday September 16th from 6-9pm and will also be a potluck where people are encouraged to bring anything to add to the community: food, seating, art, or even something to trade.
Though (Brooklyn) PL is displayed indoors Park(ing) Day NYC feels this project hits at the heart of public space creation. We talked a bit further with David Kim about (project) PL and how the ideas behind this event coincide with Park(ing) Day.
Park(ing) Day NYC: (Brooklyn) PL is being exhibited indoors how does this installation promote the ideas behind Park(ing) Day?
David Kim: To us, Park(ing) Day is a reclamation and celebration of community space. Whether that be transforming a parking space, or any space not commonly used primarily for community. In this, we feel a strong connection to the spirit of Park(ing) Day. Our exhibit is an exercise of the same idea, but creating an outdoor park space inside a gallery.
PDNYC: Usually we experience our computers indoors. In what ways can technology and open spaces be integrated?
DK: Eventually, we want to incorporate how people use virtual communities outdoors; which is why we want to retrofit shipping containers into Wi-Fi antennas. Presently, people are connected in so many ways; we believe our physical spaces should reflect that.
PDNYC: Have you experienced Park(ing) Day in the past and did it transform your view of public space?
DK: I personally experienced Park(ing) Day last year, and I thought it was such a thoughtful way of implementing Experiential Design with a message in a non-preachy, fun way. The wonderful and eclectic community I witnessed is something I’m really excited to participate in this year!
Our exhibit will be open to the public this Thursday, Sept 16th at 6:00pm - 9:00pm and Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. We’d love to have anyone join us!
At right: (Brooklyn) PL platform raising in Pratt Gallery
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View Park(ing) Day NYC 2010 in a larger map
Check the blog later this weekend for a full interactive online map of all the Park(ing) Spots in NYC with hours and descriptions listed!
With 50 spaces in New York City we’d like to take a moment to thank the amazing individuals and organizations bringing these new amazing public spaces to our city.
Bronx
South Bronx Watershed Alliance
Southeast Bronx Neighborhood Center
Brooklyn
Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project
Neighbors Allied for Good Growth
Grey’s Studio Cafe
New York Compost Project in Brooklyn
Manhattan
Council Member Gale Brewer and her staff
Neighborhood Initiative Development Corporation
Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP)
Columbia University GreenBorough
West 75th Street Block Association
Upper West Side Street Renaissance
Fordham University Architecture and Theater Departments
NYU Wagner Transportation Association
Queens
New York City Compost Project in Queens
Staten Island
]]>This year we have just shy of 50 Park(ing) Spots, including 3 new spaces in Staten Island. We are excited to see the 5th borough back on the Park(ing) Day NYC map.
We will have Park(ing) Day maps available at all spaces on September 17th and you may also see a few around your neighborhood or in your local coffee shop in the coming weeks! Contact alyssa@transalt.org if you’d like to pass out Park(ing) Day flyers or maps in your neighborhood.
And this year there will be a Park(ing) Day After Party, more info coming soon!
]]>Thanks for being a part of this amazing street reclamation event!
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The highly active TA Brooklyn Volunteer Committee has given a voice to the street users in Brooklyn with a renewed fight for a Car-Free Prospect Park and urged DOT to implement Leading Pedestrian Intervals like those at Boerum Place & Livingston and enhanced roadway neckdowns such as the ones at Bergen & Smith. There’s plenty of fun going on in the group too! The TA Brooklyn Volunteer Committee coordinates monthly bikes rides all over the borough including the recent second annual Brooklyn Waterfront Epic Ride with the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative. The Epic Ride culminated in a feast at Rockaway Taco. And trust us the 50 mi. ride along the water to the Rockaways was well worth the views and delicious eats. In the past two years, Paco has created some amazing Park(ing) Day spots in Brooklyn and we wanted to find out how he pulled it off.
At right: Paco, TA Brooklyn Committee Chair!
Park(ing) Day NYC: Can you tell us a little about the Park(ing) Spots you helped create? The one in 2008 was highlighted in the StreetFilms video and we want to know how you got an elected official to hang out in your space!
Paco: With the help of friends and TA BK members, I created Staycation Park for Park(ing) Day 2008 and it was a complete success. We reclaimed the northeast corner of Downtown Brooklyn’s
busy intersection at Court Street and Atlantic Avenue, an ideal spot where hundreds of people stopped to enjoy the couple hundred square feet of grass, chairs, board games, and snacks. 
Though most were rather puzzled seeing a temporary park pop up on the street, nearly all stopped to sit down or write a note on the comment chalkboard and quickly they all smiled realizing how much better the street used as a park for all rather than being just a storage space for an empty vehicle all day. In the end, I spent nearly 12 hours enjoying the company of friends, strangers, and even local leaders such as Assemblywoman Joan Millman and current City Councilman Brad Lander who both accepted my invitations.
The bustling Stay-Cation Park in 2008!
In 2009, I helped TA BK committee leader Martha Jackson set up a Park(ing) Day spot on 5th avenue in front of Gorilla Coffee in Park Slope that had a similar success. Though there was no grass laid out, blankets, lounge chairs, magazines, and friendly faces set up to again demonstrate that a 20 by 10 stretch of asphalt does a lot more as a park than it does as a parking spot. This was also the beginning of our groups ‘Fix Fifth Avenue’ campaign, a long-term effort seeking pedestrian and cyclist improvements across all of Fifth Avenue’s to create a single livable corridor from Flatbush to the Verrazano. We wrote a brief synopsis of the history of the existing Fifth Avenue bike lane and had people sign a petition to extend it past its current terminus at 23rd street in South Slope. Though I couldn’t spend all day there, scores of residents stopped to enjoy the park and realized that very little infrastructure is needed to make drastic street improvements.
The TA BK committee is already floating around plenty of ideas for spots this year. Come and join us when Park(ing) Day rolls around again!
PDNYC: How has Park(ing) Day helped the Transportation Alternatives Brooklyn Volunteer Committee?
Paco: Park(ing) Day has given TA BK a tangible way to demonstrate problems in the way current space is allocated. On a typical street with curbside parking and one lane of traffic in each direction, there’s perhaps 80 feet of space. At best, 25 feet of it is given to pedestrians on the sidewalk… but the remaining 50 plus feet are solely for cars… and half of that is actually empty cars. Park(ing) Day allows our members to give naysayers a perfect example of the illogical design our streets currently have, while at the same time showing the amazing potential even slight shifts different designs can offer.
PDNYC: Do you have any stories or memorable events from Park(ing) Day?
Paco: Having friends and family visit my park was great and local politicians’ coming was equally memorable, but the best part of it was welcoming unfamiliar faces to share the space. I estimated more than two hundred people sat down at Stay-cation Park throughout the day and many, many more simple walked past, talked for a minute, then went on their way with smiles. And just about all of those were complete strangers who clearly had their day brightened. The best of all of them was a man who had heard about Park(ing) Day from my interview on the Brian Lehrer show while driving around. He was so intrigued that he drove over to see it first hand, then parked elsewhere, and came over to play a game of Scrabble. ‘Man hears of park and ditches his car;’ sounds like a perfect Park(ing) day success story to me.
Paco hard at work creating the Stay-Cation Park!
PDNYC: How has Park(ing) Day changed your view of what public space is and can be in New York City?
Paco: Park(ing) Day showed me how valuable even a few square feet is in our dense city. Rather than storage for an empty vehicle, its much better served as a destination point for people to enjoy. I’m encouraged to see the DOT capitalizing on the idea with little reclamations like the Bedford Avenue bike swap on North 7th, the expanded neckdown at Bergen & Smith, the mini plaza at Hoyt-Schermerhorn Station, and the new Pearl street Pop Up Café in Downtown. However, I think we are still in desperate need for more of these changes, and perhaps more Park(ing) Days throughout the year, so that when you walk past a pop-up Park it doesn’t look out of the ordinary.
PDNYC: As a ‘Safer Streets’ advocate, what are the unique ways Park(ing) Day has promoted the causes you support?
Paco: Though Park(ing) Day’s most obvious benefit is how it reveals the wealth of space we waste on parking cars, it also offers a perfect opportunity to show the importance of daylighting. Both spots I set up were at the corner of the street, and strongly helped promote safety by giving pedestrians more room to step off the sidewalk without having to worry about cars speeding past. At the same time, the openness of the parks reduces the blind spots where a motorist may not see someone as they enter the crosswalk. We’re all pedestrians when we get out of the car, off the bike, or exit the train so pedestrians safety measures benefit us all.
PDNYC: What advice can you give this years Park(ing) Day participants and street activists in particular?
Paco: Park(ing) Day isn’t new and thankfully NYers have been witness to positive changes in their streetscape the past few years so this year, Park(ing) Day participants could try to go bigger, bolder, and always more engaging. If it’s a stark contrast to the surroundings, it’ll grab more attention. If it’s got some engaging activities, it’ll keep people there. Whether it’s a board game to play, an canvas to paint, a trapeze to swing on, a ball pit to dive into, or even a simple chair, its best when there’s something for visitors to participate in. One other tip, choose a corner spot at a busy intersection. It will offer more foot traffic and provide much needed daylighting.
PDNYC: And can you give us one reason why people should host a Park(ing) Spot?
Paco: Most New Yorkers don’t have a yard at their disposal; here’s your chance to design one however you’d like.
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New Yorkers take back your streets and create your own front yard! Register to host a Park(ing) Spot by August 30th!
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