Park(ing) Day installations are marked in blue. Zoom out for a global view of all Park(ing) Day events. View Park(ing) Day – MSN in a larger map
10:15am | The community is encouraged to participate in the annual event called “PARK(ing) Day” on Friday, September 16. In cities around the world, participants will temporarily transform parking spaces into public parks and social gathering spaces.
“Long Beach is a distinctive, world-class city that reflects the diversity and ingenuity of its residents,” said Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal. “I strongly urge people who’ve envisioned more imaginative uses for parking spaces to take part in this global event and convey what makes our city so unique.”
PARK(ing) Day is designed to call attention to the need for more alternative transportation and urban open space, to further the debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of the urban environment.
Residents, businesses, groups and individuals are encouraged to utilize public parking spaces for their PARK(ing) Day installations. Long Beach Planning staff will be taking part in the festivities to spread the word about the forthcoming update to the General Plan, which outlines goals and policies for managing the city’s future, including uses for Open Space.
First established in 2005, a San Francisco-based art and design studio called Rebar started PARK(ing) Day by converting a single parking space into an art exhibit. It has steadily grown since then, transforming into a global experiment in remixing, reclaiming and reprogramming vehicular space for social exchange, recreation and artistic expression. Last year alone, there were 850 parks in 183 cities, 30 countries and six continents all over the globe.
For more information, visit the Office of Sustainability’s website at www.sustainablelb.com for a full listing of participants and activities throughout the day. Those interested in creating their own installation are encouraged to register with the City of Long Beach by Thursday, September 15, to obtain a free temporary parking space occupancy permit as well as a parking prohibited placard to post and reserve a PARK(ing) installation spot. City ordinances and laws are to be followed and metered parking spaces must be paid for before creating an installation if a permit is not obtained.
For more information about Park(ing) Day around the world, visit parkingday.org.