Vancouver PARK(ing) Day 2012 – Creating temporary public space on iconic Kingsway
The Vancouver Public Space Network is excited to once again host local celebrations for PARK(ing) Day, an international annual event that allows citizens, activists and artists to think critically about their use of urban landscape. This Friday, September 21, VPSN volunteers will re-imagine a parking space near Kingsway and Joyce as a temporary, family-friendly community space.
PARK(ing) Day began in San Francisco in 2005 when art and design studio Rebar successfully transformed a parking meter in the downtown core into a mini park. This simple take on the city street sparked a worldwide phenomenon. In 2011, city-dwellers in 35 countries created 975 temporary parks.
Vancouver Public Space Network has participated in PARK(ing) Day since 2008, and has transformed parking stalls across the city into dance floors, en plein air art studios, and even a 60’s rec room. This year, volunteers are taking their efforts to the outskirts of the city – to the Vancouver/Burnaby border at Joyce and Kingsway.
“We’re really excited about holding PARK(ing) Day in the Kingsway/Joyce neighbourhood this year,” says VPSN Chair Heather Forbes. “We wanted to make an extra effort to engage Vancouverites outside the downtown core on issues related to community-building, public space and sustainable transportation. There has been some great initiatives to encourage community building and public art in different parts of Vancouver – the South Hill Hot Tubs at Fraser and 44th are a great example. PARK(ing) Day is another opportunity to show that these issues are important to everyone, no matter where they live in the city.”
Kingsway is an iconic street in Vancouver’s history – just look to Michael Turner’s book as evidence. As we move forward and start thinking about the future of transportation in Vancouver, a huge part of that is thinking about how best to manage our major thoroughfares – including Kingsway.
Folks are invited to come visit the PARK(ing) space near Kingsway and Joyce on Friday from 10 am – 2 pm. There will be art, crafts, games and opportunities to enjoy public space with your neighbours in an unconventional space.
The Vancouver Public Space Network is a volunteer collective engaged in advocacy and education related to issues of public space in Vancouver, BC.
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