Feet First Hosts PARK(ing) Day

Feet First is currently organizing
community groups, organizations,
and individuals for participation in
PARK(ing) Day on
September 17, 2010.

PARK(ing) Day is coming up fast!  Scheduled this year for Friday, September 17th, PARK(ing) Day is an annual, one-day, global event where artists, activists, and citizens independently but simultaneously temporarily transform metered parking spots into “PARK(ing)” spaces: temporary public parks. 

PARK(ing) Day was created in 2005 by Rebar – a San Francisco art collective – and was originally devised as a creative exploration of how urban public space is allocated and used.  Did you know that nearly 28 percent of all land in Seattle is dedicated to automobile travel?  And that doesn’t even include private parking lots!  PARK(ing) Day shows residents what their city would look like if more public space was allocated for urban parks, recreation, social interactions, and other people-centric pursuits, rather than the movement and storage of cars.

In 2009, 744 PARKs were created across 140 cities, 21 countries, and 6 continents.  Seattle hosted about 45 PARKs last year but this year we are striving for 100!  The success of PARK(ing) Day 2010 depends on you!  If you are interested in participating in PARK(ing) Day, please start planning now – there is much to be done. 

Here’s a summary of what’s involved: Feet First will acquire a temporary Street Use Permit from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).  This “umbrella” permit will cover multiple PARKs throughout the city and Feet First will handle the application process and fees.  Participants who would like to be covered under Feet First’s Street Use Permit will need to apply to Feet First with a site description and plan (no artistic skills required), as well as an application fee of $10 if received by August 20th.  Applications received after August 20th will be subject to an additional $5 for late processing, making the total application fee $15.  Please plan ahead to get your materials in on time!  The last day to submit applications is Friday, August 27th. 

You can access the PARK(ing) Day Information and Training Pack, the Feet First Street Use Permit Application, and other resources including posters and flyers on the PARK(ing) Day Resources page of the Feet First website.

Please review these materials to get started on planning your PARK.  If you have any questions, contact Max Hepp-Buchanan, PARK(ing) Day Coordinator for Feet First, as soon as possible.  He can guide you through the permitting process and assist you in planning your PARK. Information will also be passed on through the PARK(ing) Day Network Seattle 2010 website.

Feet First will be hosting two PARK(ing) Day training sessions in August to help people prepare for this year's event. The first training session will occur on Wednesday, August 11, at 6pm. The second session will occur on Tuesday, August 17, at 6pm. Both training sessions will occur in the Feet First offices (314 1st Ave South). We will go over the permitting process and encouraged/restricted materials for your PARK. I can also help you brainstorm ideas and answer any burning questions you may have. Please RSVP to me (max@feetfirst.info) if you plan on attending either of these training sessions.

On September 17th, let the PARKs grow!

Max Hepp-Buchanan, PARK(ing) Day Coordinator, Feet First
Email: max@feetfirst.info
Phone: (w) 206.652.2310 (c) 206.920.0746