PARK(ing) Day 2017
September 12, 2017
The number of parks throughout Philadelphia increases dramatically each year on the third Friday in September, when activists, artists, architects, and other citizens [like us!] transform metered parking spaces into temporary public parks.
Known as PARK(ing) Day, this annual event re-imagines the possibilities of 170 square feet of public space. The event celebrates parks and other public spaces in cities across the country, and raises awareness of the need for more pedestrian-friendly spaces in our urban areas.
PARK(ing) Day was founded by Rebar, a San Francisco art and design studio, in 2005 to raise awareness of the need for green spaces in urban environments.
Philadelphia celebrated PARK(ing) Day for the first time in 2008 with over 25 installations for relaxing, cycling, creating art, education, and socializing. This will be SEPTA's 5th year participating!
Here at SEPTA, we love PARK(ing) Day and its shared interest with our common goal: getting more cars off the road. It’s numbers. It’s factual. Less cars in our city means more places to do things that are important to us. More room to hang with friends, read a book, catch some rays or sip a cup of coffee. Less cars also makes means more efficient transit.
It seems like every free inch of non-restricted curb currently harbors a car, which is always larger than the human it harbors. The average car may seat 4 people but most cars on the road - especially during rush hour - contain 1.6 people. [Don't ask us where the other .4 is - we don't want to know!] For comparison, one 40' Hybrid Articulated SEPTA Bus seats 39 passengers - but usually carries 49 - taking [on average] 31 cars off the road!
Imagine the kind of space we could save if those in personal cars took public transportation instead…
So join us [and 75 other organizations] this Friday, 9/15, for PARK(ing) Day PHL. We'll be on the 3400 Block of Walnut Street in University City from 9a-4p. Print/Download your very own map here.
So please, come by, check out our parklet, and share with us your ideas, your vision.
Can't stop by - share your parklet visions below! Here's our parklet from 2016!
