So what is PARK(ing) Day? Check out their website for the best explaination, but for me PARK(ing) Day is about challeging our ideas of space. I think it is good to question the norms. Cars are a very big environmental issue. Imagine for a moment that we did not need our car parks anymore, how would we use them? In San Fran they estimate that 70% of public space is used for cars in some way. That is a lot of possible park space or other space. Grass keeps the heat out and can keep the water in. Trees provide shade. Parks in general offer the opportunity for interaction. And this interaction is the bit I love.
We had some awesome conversations in the park. Sitting on the grass 2 feet from passing traffic seems to make you question. We met new people and were introduced to some new ideas. We slowed pedestrians and traffic. Many looked, but asked others what we were doing… only some asked us. So many walked past as though we were not there? The police were notified and drove past twice but did not stop? The ABC said they were coming but never arrived? There was no sign of the Brisbane City Council who constantly remind me that they only have the resources to respond to complaints or easy tickets when the football is on. I draw 2 possible conclusions from not seeing the council, either no one complained and that in it’s own right is cool, or the council deems what we did as an acceptable use of this kind of public space. What ever it is they better be ready because PARK(ing) Day is here now, and it is only going to be bigger next year. www.parkingday.org
See a Time Lapse by Adz here. And some pics here.
Big thanks to my friends that helped and to Shelter Design (the shop behind us) for lending us the chairs and trees.
Hi Morgs
In a word..FANTASTIC!!!….what a brilliant morning, I am only sorry I could not stay longer to enjoy the relaxation on the grass…we really appreciate all the work you and your fellow helpers put into making this PARK(ing) day a possibility…keep pushing those boundaries!!!
PS…Great shots from Adz and time lapse….BRILLIANT!!
Fond regards
)
Brunella
Urban Grind coffee lover and fellow parking companion…
Hey Morgs, definitely the way to go and how much peace did this event create, rather than conflict among the locals??? Pretty profound by-product of a great design idea.
Thanks Brunella.
Emma, there was not conflict that I was aware of. It was amazingly peaceful siting in the park chatting to your mates while buses whiz past 2 feet away.
Thanks for doing it Morgs. I believe there are many unsung heroes in our community and you are one of them. PARK(ing)day was yet another example of the innovation you bring to Urban Grind challenging that there is more to coffee than providing it! Thanks for inspiring your community.
Thanks Carl. And thanks for your help on the day.