Philadelphia has proven that it can not only be green, but have fun doing it.  I would say that this single day created more awareness about Philadelphia’s commitment to being ‘the greenest city’ than any other event held in this and previous years.  Thanks to the help, funding, high spirits and enthusiasm of a few people, (we are talking under 100 who helped establish, tear down, design and build) we informed thousands. 

I ran into so many people yesterday who were excited about the event - even though some had no idea it was going on but had heard about it in one way or another. An aspiring actor, a few fellow architects, a few creative types, a weird guy who was carrying a walking stick who sold me a paper to help support a ’save the children fund’, a small child who loved playing in the grass with her brother and eating gummy worms (they would not have been able to do that if there was a car parked there), a guy from fox news, a girl named Gina who was not involved in the day but decided to take the time to go to 4-5 parks on her day off and gave me the skinny on some of the parks she liked best, a few bird house aficionados and the list goes on. 

After a long day, I found myself laying sod at 9pm (this was a pre-arranged instalation that would convert a small abandoned cornerr into a new green space on Willow between 4th street and 5th) and still being confronted by passerby (some actually stopped their cars and got out) whose common remark was ‘I didnt think people did this kind of stuff anymore’.  Maybe thats just what we set out to prove.  That people DO still care.  Until next year…

 See the ‘images’ section for photos from the day - I will update the site as I get new content.

All the teams should now be listed.  As Philadelphia’s first annual Parking Day nears, excitement and enthusiasm are building on all fronts.  ‘Parks’ will be set up all over the city by 9am.  If you see a patch of grass where you would normally see a car - don’t be shocked, don’t run them over, and don’t be mad because they took your spot, stop and check it out.  If you are in a hurry, slow down and take a glance, life is too short.  

Rumor has it that Burt Hill will have a tensile structure, birdhouses, and a display of park furniture all made from recycled materials near 17^th & Market, the Bicycle Coalition will have spaces at 16th and Locust and 34th and Walnut for bike sharing awareness,  the PA Horticultural Society will have live music and bocce at 20th and Arch, Schade and Bolender Architects will have a needlework group at 21st and Locust, and over 30 others will be encouraging participation, relaxation and awareness for the importance of public parks.

Philadelphia has one of largest public parks in a city in the US.  Hopefully Parking Day will not only be a reminder of their importance, but create enthusiasm about the different ways they can be used as well as how fun it can be to make them!

Please send pictures to me as you get them.  I hope to have a video link up shortly to display some of the day’s events…

PARK-ON!

Amber

Get involved Philadelphia!