PARK(ing) Day is an annual worldwide one-day event in which citizens transform urban parking spaces into temporary public parks, to raise awareness of the need for more pedestrian-friendly green space in our communities. The concept originated in 2005 with a single installation by a San Francisco art and design studio called Rebar. Their idea was simple: of the roughly 25-30% of a city’s land area that is occupied by roads and parking spaces, couldn’t some of this publicly-owned land be converted for higher and better use as public gathering space? This first “parklet,” or mini-park, was so successful that in addition to PARK(ing) Day becoming a regular annual event that now has participation from over 162 cities in 35 countries over 6 continents, San Francisco has codified a very successful permanent parklet program called Pavement to Parks.
The first annual downtown Los Altos PARK(ing) Day happened on September 21, 2012, with an installation on State Street outside of Peet's Coffee & Tea. It featured many materials generously donated by local businesses: the Furuichi Brothers' Los Altos Nursery loaned potted plants, and Pete Moffat Construction constructed a series of modular planter walls that protect people from passing cars. Passerelle provided bike racks, a free bike fix-it station, and a green space featuring SynLawn with movable seating and tables. The space was completely open to the public all day for use by anyone: kids, grown-ups, well-behaved pets, bicycles, you name it!
In 2013, PARK(ing) Day returned to downtown Los Altos on September 20, brought back by popular demand. Same great design, same great reception from the community! See photos below
This year PARK(ing) Day is on Friday, September 19, 2014 from 8am - 7pm outside Linden Tree Books and Earth Beauty Apothecary. Come on out and enjoy the parklet!
