PARK[ing] Day 2010

Walking down Washington Street in downtown Indy may seem like every other urban landscape, but on Friday you might see something unexpected- trees, flowers, and sod?

The Architecture for Humanity Indianapolis (AFH) has decided Washington Street needs to be a little greener. On Friday, September 17, AFH will give the intersection of Washington and Meridian street the green thumb it needs.

PARK[ing] Day will transform 10 metered parking spaces in front of Borders Bookstore into an urban park for all who pass by to enjoy. What use to be ten parking spaces that visitors use to come and go, only pausing to drop in a handful of quarters, will be transformed into a space you won’t want to leave.

Last year AFH Indy transformed two parking spaces in front of Borders Bookstore into a 9’ x 40’ park complete with trees, flowers, paving stones and a few park benches to relax on. And this year the park will be growing!

The idea originally started in 2005 in San Francisco by Rebar, an art and design school, and has grown to 21 countries. Rebar designed the idea to challenge city dwellers to rethink the traditional use of urban space. That idea has grown to over 700 urban parks popping up around the world on a single day- PARK[ing] Day.

And don’t worry, the materials used from PARK[ing] Day won’t be tossed in the nearest landfill at the end of the day Friday. Everything used will be permanently installed Saturday across town in the Reagan Park neighborhood.

So be sure to stop by the AFH Park[ing] spot on Friday and enjoy the scenery!