Have a PARK(ing) Day in Dallas

[cowboyeagle05]

http://www.rebargroup.org/projects/parking/photos/src/parking_13.jpg http://www.rebargroup.org/projects/parking/photos/src/parking_17.jpg

http://www.rebargroup.org/projects/parking/photos/src/parking_01.jpg http://www.rebargroup.org/projects/parking/photos/src/parking_06.jpg

I just discovered something that might be perfect for Dallas to try in many of its urban areas. I was watching CNETTV.com and they featured a news story about a PARK(ing) day in San Francisco.

the Video is here: http://cnettv.cnet.com/9742-1_53-50003794.html

Its one day where various parking spaces and parking lots are converted into temporary Parks. The pictures show mostly parallel parking spaces where private businesses have done the decorating. Some have put out temporary green grass lawns others just potted plants and chairs, and even a small orchestra in another parking space. This would be totally cool for Main Street Dallas and many other districts and neighborhoods that want to spice things up for one day or two.

I am not sure how its structured and what the rules from the city of San Francisco state but it would be such a cool event that I think should happen on a week day and a weekend. The city could establish a rule book for such a day and local groups could apply for a permit so that we further encourage neighborhoods to work together.

http://www.rebargroup.org/projects/parking/

http://www.parkingday.org/

Quotes from the Website include:

The initial PARK(ing) intervention occurred on November 16, 2005 from noon until 2 p.m., without incident or interference from any level of institutional authority. Sort of makes you wonder what else you can do in a parking space . . .

UPDATE: I just found out they had one in the Bishop Arts District this year. http://parkingdayoc.blogspot.com/

We need more of these and I would be glad to help spend a day or two doing one of these in various areas of Dallas.

[ihavebeenseen]

Main needs one of these. FTA below your bike is a vehicle and that is all you need to lock up a metered parking spot.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/parking-meter-parties.php

[Random Traffic Guy]

StreetsBlog is NYC focused but has had several articles on parking day, including this year (http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/22/streetfilms-parking-day-nyc-2008/).

[Cliff Dweller]

Once again, Oak Cliff leads the way. . .

;-)

[dfwcre8tive]

We've started a group to plan PARK(ing) Day for Dallas. If you'd like to be involved, please join!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/PARKing-Day-Dallas/238726366151956?sk=wall

http://my.parkingday.org/group/parkingdaydallas

[PuddinHead]

Makes perfect sense to me.

But maybe you could just go to the park instead?

[dfwcre8tive]

Makes perfect sense to me.

But maybe you could just go to the park instead?

You could. It's an experiment in reclaiming street space and interesting to see how people interpret "public space". It's similar to some of the Better Block concepts in that it causes people to reexamine the purpose of a street and public gathering points.

[mjblazin]

I doubt the Better Block people would see it that way since they have spent a lot of time working within the system and have some credibility. That effort is hard work. Childish stunts, and that dumb biking mob idea is another one, like this one prove nothing and simply paint a broad brush of immaturity and clownish behaviors over a wide spectrum of urban improvements.

I assume you'll get away with it. The adults running things have better uses for their time than hindering you. Don't fool yourself into thinking it has any benefit nor does not have a cost.

[cowboyeagle05]

I doubt the Better Block people would see it that way since they have spent a lot of time working within the system and have some credibility. That effort is hard work. Childish stunts, and that dumb biking mob idea is another one, like this one prove nothing and simply paint a broad brush of immaturity and clownish behaviors over a wide spectrum of urban improvements.

I assume you'll get away with it. The adults running things have better uses for their time than hindering you. Don't fool yourself into thinking it has any benefit nor does not have a cost.

Someones ice cream cone fell on the sidewalk didn't it...

[tamtagon]

Hopefully, the parking day will help more folks understand the craving for a bustling, appealing downtown will remain a haunting, unsatisfied desire until the pedestrian experience improves with better sidewalks.

Location of the demonstration will be critical for the group.

[dfwcre8tive]

I doubt the Better Block people would see it that way since they have spent a lot of time working within the system and have some credibility. That effort is hard work. Childish stunts, and that dumb biking mob idea is another one, like this one prove nothing and simply paint a broad brush of immaturity and clownish behaviors over a wide spectrum of urban improvements.

I assume you'll get away with it. The adults running things have better uses for their time than hindering you. Don't fool yourself into thinking it has any benefit nor does not have a cost.

I think it all depends on how it is organized and implemented. Sure, it could be a guerilla take over of some random parking spots around downtown, but what if it was a city-sanctioned event (permitted) with several spaces along one stretch of road? Each city's Park(ing) Day event is unique and different. Doesn't the Downtown Dallas 360 Plan advocate converting some of the street parking on Main into public/patio space? The architects and designers involved want to create temporary, creative public spaces; it's not going to be a bunch of protesters staking out their claim against the City. The Better Block people have done a good job of opening people's minds to public space, and I think it could be an extension of that idea if done correctly.

[tamtagon]

^even if these grass-roots demonstrations eventually result in only giving back to pedestrians one or two vehicular lane(s) worth of space along a handful of downtown streets, the success would be measurable.

Surely all the studies would have identified which downtown streets should be abandoned for use as compelling, desirable outdoors destinations for residents and visitors to Dallas while other downtown streets are reconditioned as pedestrian oriented gathering places with limited thru-traffic.

[mjblazin]

That's a different story and is something that likely could get worked out. That's the blocking and tackling that makes for better neighborhoods. Keep the pictures of Gen Y people sitting around in expropriated public space to a minimum or zero.

[msutton]

Why? Because passionate young people having fun at no one's expense is a bad thing? Keep the bitter negative attitude towards people's creativity and ideas to a minimum or zero.

[Lakewooder]

I applaud passionate people with ideas, motivation and drive! We need more of this in Dallas. It seems to have dropped off with so many raised out in the 'burbs. It used to be the norm.

[Mena]

I think it all depends on how it is organized and implemented. Sure, it could be a guerilla take over of some random parking spots around downtown, but what if it was a city-sanctioned event (permitted) with several spaces along one stretch of road? Each city's Park(ing) Day event is unique and different. Doesn't the Downtown Dallas 360 Plan advocate converting some of the street parking on Main into public/patio space? The architects and designers involved want to create temporary, creative public spaces; it's not going to be a bunch of protesters staking out their claim against the City. The Better Block people have done a good job of opening people's minds to public space, and I think it could be an extension of that idea if done correctly.
It is a positive event, imo.

I'm tired of walking in fear of Twelve Tribes ' rantings and ravings at Pegasus Plaza every Saturday! :mad:

[dfwcre8tive]

It is a positive event, imo.

I'm tired of walking in fear of Twelve Tribes ' rantings and ravings at Pegasus Plaza every Saturday! :mad:

Speaking of that, there's a protest of the protesters being organized here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=250989478248222

[cowboyeagle05]

Speaking of that, there's a protest of the protesters being organized here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=250989478248222

What are those original protesters about again they've been protesting every Saturday for so long I don't remember what they are complaining about. Usually I ignore them cause they yell at people to listen to them every weekend I've been down there. Last I saw they had a sign with Obama painted like the Joker from Batman.

[Mena]

Speaking of that, there's a protest of the protesters being organized here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=250989478248222
Yes, I know! :D

[xen0blue]

what a stupid idea, along with all the other ideas that come out of the most backwards city in the country

[mjblazin]

Why? Because passionate young people having fun at no one's expense is a bad thing? Keep the bitter negative attitude towards people's creativity and ideas to a minimum or zero.

Because passionate young people have almost zero leverage in getting approval of any significant change. If you want to truly sell your ideas, then consider the decisionmaking market. If you just want to have a lark and re-enact scenes of high schoolers in a Billy Jack movie, go for it. Just don't have any delusions that it's doing any good.

Take your picture. Just include a business person reading the WSJ, middle class woman with baby in stroller, elderly couple walking dog, and maybe someone looking like going to a job with a construction helmet or tool belt "enjoying" the new space, scattering of racial and other groups. Having only twenty something casually dressed white males reeks of underemployed/unememployed college graduates that had nothing else to do except grab some space that was not theirs.

[elmstreetdallas]

what a stupid idea, along with all the other ideas that come out of the most backwards city in the country

What city are you referring to?

[cowboyeagle05]

What city are you referring to?
I think he is referring to San Francisco in the above article that I posted as the beginning of the thread months ago.

These PARK(ing) days are good public awareness exercise. It also does inspire new ways of thinking about public space by government officials if the organizers show their passion for permanent positive change through thoughtful execution.

[Mena]

What are those original protesters about again they've been protesting every Saturday for so long I don't remember what they are complaining about. Usually I ignore them cause they yell at people to listen to them every weekend I've been down there. Last I saw they had a sign with Obama painted like the Joker from Batman.
I managed to find this link. Still looking for others. Can't find ANY youtube links of these groups on the streets. There used to be many at one time. Maybe they were pulled due to content? Not sure.

http://www.zombietime.com/zomblog/?p=1190


I DID find this gem on youtube though! hahahahahahahhahaha!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISwlrtgftsA

ISwlrtgftsA


Side note: Do we have a YT wrap code option? I haven't been able to find it on this forum.

This might explain a bit more on their beliefs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn32QYD78KU

qn32QYD78KU

[txdore]

I love Carlton.

[utgf]

These PARK(ing) days are good public awareness exercise. It also does inspire new ways of thinking about public space by government officials if the organizers show their passion for permanent positive change through thoughtful execution.
It did inspire new ways of thinking about public space leading to the SF Pavement To Parks program and now ironically to Audi paying to take parking spots from two major block in the city and transform it to pedestrian use.

Pavement To Parks (http://sfpavementtoparks.sfplanning.org/)
hyUP7glqHVo

Audi Design Project: Progress on Powell Street (http://www.audiusanews.com/progress/blog.do?id=45&p=entry)

Progress on Powell Street was launched with the purpose of improving the pedestrian experience on Powell Street in a way that transforms it into a vibrant destination and alleviates the congestion.
So, working with the city of San Francisco, we’re doing something that might normally be considered unfathomable for an automaker — removing cars from the road.
That’s right, we’re eliminating the parking lanes on both sides of the street and, in their place, creating a new public space that sits on top of the pavement.

But this is no ordinary public space.
It’s a space inspired by the same philosophy of design and innovation that defines our approach to car making.
And reflects our commitment to efficiency and sustainability.
First we started with the materials, and the idea to build the space almost entirely of aluminum.
Not only does it look pretty spiffy, it’s lighter and stronger than steel, and makes the bodies of cars like the Audi A7 more efficient.
Then there are the custom designed benches, planters, tables and railings that evoke the fluid curves of our cars.
And of course, it wouldn’t be Audi without a few well-placed LEDs to light up the night.
But to take it one step further we’re installing custom solar towers to supply the electricity.
And finally, to top it all off, since we’ve been turning our cars into hotspots, we decided to bring free WiFi to Powell Street too.
In the end, we hope to create a new vision for Powell Street.
One that San Francisco will be proud to call its own.

Some of the pics are from socketsite.com (http://socketsite.com)

Before:
http://audimedia.iconicweb.com/blog/the-location_progress.jpg
http://www.socketsite.com/Powell%20Street%20at%20O%27Farrell.jpg

Planned:
http://www.socketsite.com/Powell%20Street%20Promenade%20Design.jpg

Progress:
http://audimedia.iconicweb.com/blog/PowellStreet_progress.jpg
http://audimedia.iconicweb.com/blog/PowellStreet2_progress.jpg
http://audimedia.iconicweb.com/blog/blog4heroprogress.jpg

[msutton]

Oh, ok. I guess I didn't get the memo that only twenty-something white males were allowed into these spaces.

You know the best way to encourage a stale, cultureless region with limited innovation in business? Stifle ideas and creativity before they begin! The more a community gets involved in grass roots events -- regardless of whether they result, or even aim for, significant change -- the more dynamic the region becomes, consequently attracting higher numbers of innovative entrepreneurs and members of the creative class.

Haters be hating. If you don't care, just don't visit it. People pay the meter to use the space how they like. There will be plenty of open parking spaces left for you around town.

[dfwcre8tive]

The new website for PARK(ing) Day Dallas is up: http://www.parkingdaydallas.org/

[dfwcre8tive]

Registration has opened for PARK(ing) Day Dallas (http://www.parkingdaydallas.org/registration). If you want to participate by forming a team sign up online!

[dfwcre8tive]

Just a reminder that PARK(ing) Day Dallas takes place Friday. What started off as just an idea has expanded to include 30+ PARK installations and 4 stages with local performers in three districts of downtown Dallas (Main Street District, Deep Ellum, and Arts District). It should be a great inaugural event!

Check it out from 11:00am-7:00pm (8:00pm in the Arts District).

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2011/09/just_remember_downtown_will_be.php

http://www.parkingdaydallas.org/

[tamtagon]

How'd it go?

[dfwcre8tive]

How'd it go?

It was a great success for the first year bringing the event to downtown Dallas. There were nearly 50 parks in the Main Street District, Deep Ellum, and Arts District. That included walking trails, a book swap, a pumpkin patch, miniature museum, soccer matches, 4 stages of local entertainment. Then there were others who just brought furniture out into the street to hang out (and enjoy the great weather).

Of course, there are always critics. There are the commuters who complain that parking is already difficult downtown (even though there were rows of empty meters a block away). And others who complain the project is a waste since it's not permanent (though the whole mission of PARK(ing) Day is to have a "pop up park" that reverts back to parking after a few hours).

Here's an article about the event: http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2011/09/dallas_is_full_of_teeny_tiny_p.php
And here: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/downtown-dallas/headlines/20110916-volunteers-transform-downtown-dallas-parking-spaces-into-urban-oases.ece

We accomplished a lot for only six weeks of preparation (being a grass-roots event with little city involvement). Next year's event should be even better!

Hopefully events like this will cause people to think about our public spaces and help build communities around them.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6154237317_f7f4aa66bc_z.jpg

812

813

More photos: http://www.dallasobserver.com/slideshow/scenes-from-parking-day-dallas-35169878/

http://www.nbcdfw.com/the-scene/events/Dallas-Celebrates-PARKing-Day-129993488.html

[Rangers100]

How'd it go?

It was really, really cool. Great work, Noah and everyone who made it happen.

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/4103/20110916174022.jpg
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3779/20110916171325.jpg

[dfwcre8tive]

Here's some video coverage: http://www.the33tv.com/about/station/newsteam/kdaf-dallas-parking-spaces-swapped-for-parks-story,0,2313474.story

http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2011/09/19/new-goal-in-life-beat-uta-students-at-something-anything/

y_7VJVNSYVA

[tamtagon]

Did you notice any city council members or county commissioners participating or even observing the event. Anyone there taking notes for a plan of action meeting to give back space along the street to pedestrians? City/county municipal leaders seem so disconnected from exceptionally simple events like this and incapable of understanding the uncomplicated point.

[dfwcre8tive]

I didn't notice any, but there were a lot of staff from the City of Dallas (Parks & CityDesign Studio) participating. Veletta Lill was heavily promoting the Arts District area. Students from the Design Research Center were on hand to conduct research and gather data, so that all of our findings and experiences can be recorded for future community events.

Some of the things to come out of PARK(ing) Day are the San Francisco "Parklet" program (http://sfpavementtoparks.sfplanning.org/) and New York City "Pop-up Cafe" program (http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/sidewalks/popupcafe.shtml). Those didn't happen overnight. The Downtown Dallas 360 Plan encourages use of the Main Street parking spaces as "flex space" (turned into patio space during the evening when not needed for parking, etc).

[Rangers100]

Did you notice any city council members or county commissioners participating or even observing the event. Anyone there taking notes for a plan of action meeting to give back space along the street to pedestrians? City/county municipal leaders seem so disconnected from exceptionally simple events like this and incapable of understanding the uncomplicated point.

They might not have been there, but they surely must have at least heard from people who were. There was a real crowd on Main Street for the few hours I was there.

One thing that really stood out to me was the looks on the faces of the motorists passing through. I would see these as I was crossing back and forth between "parks" on different sides of the street. I kept expecting (out of habit and the norm) to have to hurry past the front of their cars in order to avoid angering these motorists. But most of the time on Friday I could barely gain eye contact with them once they saw me starting to cross. It was as if they were happy to have a crossing pedestrian give them the excuse to fully stop and check out the crowds, the parks, etc.

[Rangers100]

I doubt the Better Block people would see it that way since they have spent a lot of time working within the system and have some credibility. That effort is hard work. Childish stunts, and that dumb biking mob idea is another one, like this one prove nothing and simply paint a broad brush of immaturity and clownish behaviors over a wide spectrum of urban improvements.

I assume you'll get away with it. The adults running things have better uses for their time than hindering you. Don't fool yourself into thinking it has any benefit nor does not have a cost.

Sigh...

[mjblazin]

My concern was they were just going to bogart the parking spaces saying We are on a mission from God. As it was, they made some kind of deal with the city to get some designated spaces. Once you have a monetary right to be there, I could give a rip what you do with it. Property rights, temporary or permanent, backed by monetary transactions, are uber alles.

[dfwcre8tive]

My concern was they were just going to bogart the parking spaces saying We are on a mission from God. As it was, they made some kind of deal with the city to get some designated spaces. Once you have a monetary right to be there, I could give a rip what you do with it. Property rights, temporary or permanent, backed by monetary transactions, are uber alles.

Downtown Dallas Inc paid to permit the spaces, using mostly valet spaces that were available during the day. We figured that concentrating the event to a few focus areas would encourage anyone to participate (no charge to take a space). A few other groups outside the focus area did their own rogue PARK(ing) Day, but they fed their own meters for a few hours and were not part of our main event.

[Rangers100]

My concern was they were just going to bogart the parking spaces saying We are on a mission from God. As it was, they made some kind of deal with the city to get some designated spaces. Once you have a monetary right to be there, I could give a rip what you do with it.

Uh huh.

You decided the event would be a failure before knowing what it was. Turns out it wasn't. Hopefully you'll drop the rigid (and bitter) ideology and actually learn a little before making your judgement next time. Might save you from making the same error again.

[mjblazin]

My ideology is perfectly fine and squares exactly with what happened.

[msutton]

Funny. I saw tons of women, black, hispanic, and asian folks out there -- not just the "rich white males" you predicted. Playing soccer, listening to music, even children watching a magic show -- there was something for everyone, and it appeared that just about every ethnic and economic group in Dallas was represented at some point in the day.

It wasn't an event about permanently putting music stages and mini street soccer fields on Main Street, however I heard over and over again how much people would like to see more events like this regularly and see some of the seating and reclaimed park space made permanent.

Your ideology is perfectly fine -- as long as you don't hurt anyone else, I don't think an ideology can be wrong, personally -- but it did not square with what happened.

[mjblazin]

My only aim would be for people first to pay for what they have and only then to use as they want. That is all. It is a mini, not macro, ideology. My earlier comments were based on idea that this group was an offshoot of those cyclists intentionally creating problems to prove a point, e.g., clogging busy intersections in the middle of the work day. Since the city allowed/controlled spot usage, I did not care what happened after that point in the process.

[Rangers100]

Funny. I saw tons of women, black, hispanic, and asian folks out there -- not just the "rich white males" you predicted. Playing soccer, listening to music, even children watching a magic show -- there was something for everyone, and it appeared that just about every ethnic and economic group in Dallas was represented at some point in the day.

It was probably hard to see all that while peering through the blinds from a small, dark apartment somewhere.

[Mena]

My only aim would be for people first to pay for what they have and only then to use as they want. That is all. It is a mini, not macro, ideology. My earlier comments were based on idea that this group was an offshoot of those cyclists intentionally creating problems to prove a point, e.g., clogging busy intersections in the middle of the work day. Since the city allowed/controlled spot usage, I did not care what happened after that point in the process.I didn't see traffic flow problems I still can't understand the struggle over acceptance of village type activities in our downtown area. It is posts like yours that cast a pall on positive events like PARKing day. These sort of events are welcomed by residents. It is nice to see something other than buzzing buses and red light runners who have no regard for pedestrians crossing.

[Who Dat]

I didn't see traffic flow problems I still can't understand the struggle over acceptance of village type activities in our downtown area. It is posts like yours that cast a pall on positive events like PARKing day. These sort of events are welcomed by residents. It is nice to see something other than buzzing buses and red light runners who have no regard for pedestrians crossing.

Wish they would do that with mobile Food trucks every once in a while.

[Mena]

Wish they would do that with mobile Food trucks every once in a while.
Amen.

I forgot to mention that I noticed businesses (bars, restaurants) were busy during this event. I didn't hear anyone complaining about having something to do, nor complaints about streetside musicians and or artists.

[Who Dat]

Amen.

I forgot to mention that I noticed businesses (bars, restaurants) were busy during this event. I didn't hear anyone complaining about having something to do, nor complaints about streetside musicians and or artists.

Wait you do not find the "Everything hating" Twelve Tribes of Israel entertaining? Was interesting to watch the reaction of the Super Bowl tourist when they were here. They would literally cross the street so they did not have to walk past them.
Talk about a cancer downtown.

[vman]

Wait you do not find the "Everything hating" Twelve Tribes of Israel entertaining? Was interesting to watch the reaction of the Super Bowl tourist when they were here. They would literally cross the street so they did not have to walk past them.
Talk about a cancer downtown.

Say what you will about those Tribes of Israel guys, but they've become a fixture downtown and don't bother anyone. Most people who live or frequent downtown just ignore them. I do recall a few years ago, a group of young christians took it upon themselves to make rebuttal signs to those of the Israel guys. They then stood across the street and shouted christian rhetoric at them. Maybe the christians were really insulted by these people, but I saw it as more of a publicity stunt in the hopes that a news crew would show up. Luckily that was the only time I've ever seen anything like that happen. I guess the christian group didn't get the attention they wanted and never came back. Which is a good thing because the last thing downtown needs is for a bunch of (supposedly offended) christians making trouble.