PARK(ing) Day 2012 Comes to Bloomington

Parking spaces around the globe to be temporarily reclaimed for people

September 21, 2012 — In cities around the globe today, artists, activists and citizens will temporarily transform metered parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces, as part of an annual event called "PARK(ing) Day."

A slice of downtown Bloomington will be temporarily transformed on Friday, September 21, 2012 as a performance space and “PARK� takes the place of on-street parking. It’s all part of PARK(ing) Day, an internationally-recognized event celebrated in more than 35 countries and 162 cities. 2012 will continue the social experiment for its second year in Bloomington.

From 12:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m., in front of Boxcar Books at 408 E. 6th St., PARK(ing) day organizers will transform a standard parking space into vibrant public space decorated with plants, furniture and offering refreshments. The public is invited to attend, bring music or games, and enjoy the reclaimed “PARK� space.

“PARK(ing) Day is a statement about reclaiming public spaces for cars and returning them to people,� according to Elizabeth Venstra of Bloomington Transportation Options for People (B-TOP). “It compels us to consider what we want as a community: do we want to put cars first, or people?�

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.�

Since 2005, the project has blossomed into a worldwide grassroots movement: PARK(ing) Day 2011 included more than 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.

PARK(ing) Day is an “open-source� user-generated invention created by independent groups around the globe who adapt the project to champion creative, social or political causes that are relevant to their local urban conditions.

Bloomington Transportation Options for People thanks supporters and contributors for PARK(ing) Day in Bloomington!
• Boxcar Books
• Center for Sustainable Living
• WFHB

• TIME: 12 p.m.

• COST: free

• WHERE: Boxcar Books, 408 E. Sixth St., Bloomington. 812-339-8710

» Find more events at this venue: Boxcar Books