Originally invented in 2005 by Rebar, a San Francisco-based art and design studio, PARK(ing) Day challenges people to rethink the way streets are used and reinforces the need for broad-based changes to urban infrastructure.
“In urban centers around the world, inexpensive curbside parking results in increased traffic, wasted fuel and more pollution,” says Rebar’s Matthew Passmore. “The planning strategies that generated these conditions are not sustainable, nor do they promote a healthy, vibrant human habitat. PARK(ing) Day is about re-imagining the possibilities of the urban landscape.”
Here are local PARK(ing) Day events:
Summitt Pianos returning on Main, Market and Frazier with three piano park
T-Ran Gilbert /22Visionz will perform and be located on Market Street in front of the Miller Pavilion
Co.Lab will sponsor a park in front of their offices at 55 E. Main St.
The Folk School of Chattanooga will sponsor a park on Rossville Avenue
READ20 “Bookmobile” will be in front of their business at 1800 Rossville Ave.
Allied Arts returns with their “Performance Park” with prizes in front of Winder Binder at 40 Frazier Ave. on the North Shore
Lon Eldridge-BeardNooga MLK between Broad and Market on MLK
DeBarge Winery will have a free wine tasting park in front of their business at 1617 Rossville Ave.
Scenic City Dance Center will have a park right in front of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce on Broad Street
Robin Burk-Pan Hand Drums on MLK at the Read House beside Porters, Eclipse Spa & Salon at 810 Broad
CSA-Chattanooga Songwriters Association performing 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Market St. near Jack's Alley/Panera Bread
Dr. Jean Howard- Hill "Lady J.’s Giveaway”, corner of MLK and Market Street
Kate with Art 120 Art Car & Bikes in front of Yacobian on Broad next to the Tivoli (she will also be on Rossville Ave)
CWC Office Furniture in front of their store at 631 Broad St.
Cooking Live with free food samples and recipes beside CWC
The Hunter Museum beside and next to CWC and Cooking Live on Broad Street
Firehouse Subs donated 600 fire hats for the kids and they will be available at or in front of the Fire Hall on E. Main St. w/Cherry Picker demos
McKamey Animal Shelter will have a pet adoption park right beside the Fire Hall on E. Main at Rossville Ave. (grassy section)
Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga will give away ice cream in front of their offices on Market
Mountain Music on Main St. at the corner of Market,
Alex Loza will perform free charcoal sketches in front of the CSO offices at 701 Broad St.
The CSOYO will perform under the Tivoli marquee from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Blood Assurance’s “Vein Train” Bloodmobile will be located directly across the street from the Miller Park Pavilion on Market St. come give the gift of life
The Bessie Smith Foundation and Chattanooga Music Council will share a park in front of the Bessie Smith Hall on MLK
David Barlew, Architect will have a beach themed park in front of his office at 714 Cherry St.
The 35.85 Guild will have an art park in front of Niedlovs at 215 E. Main St.
Chattanooga Parks & Recreation will return with their games park in front of “Area 61” at 61 E. Main St., and other parks may be participating.
Social Media Chattanooga will be mobile taking pictures, interviewing people in the parks and twitcasting live all over town. Find Chattanooga’s footage via the PARK(ing) Day Vimeo blog on the official PARK(ing) Day network website: http://parkingday.org
To sponsor a park or for more information contact Buddy Shirk at parkingdaychatt@gmail.com
Since 2005, the project has blossomed into a worldwide grassroots movement: PARK(ing) Day 2011 included 975 “PARK” installations in more than 162 cities in 35 countries on six continents. This year, the project continues to expand to urban centers across the globe.
About Rebar (
www.rebargroup.org). Founded in 2004 in San Francisco, Rebar is an internationally recognized art and design studio operating at the intersection of art, design and ecology.