Maybe if they stopped chanting "Death to America", stopped denigrating women, stopped telling people to "eff off" without provocation, I'd be a little more inclined to not give them much thought. :/Originally Posted by vman
Like most people, I've never paid them much attention. But I've never heard them say anything to anyone. That said, I would still gladly trade downtown's homeless, drunks, pandhandlers AND about 75% of the crowd at West End Station for the Israel dudes. They're much easier to ignore.
Sorry, they are a hate group. Anti-Semitic one, at that. ADL is aware of these groups which is covered
here....
http://www.adl.org/poisoning_web/black_bigots.asp
I'm not happy with ANY religious organization twisting one's personal faith to suit their vile needs. I'm glad you can ignore them. I can't. I don't think this group needs to be the icon or by any way commonplace or something to be accepted in our downtown area or anywhere else, for that matter.
Just ignore it. Sounds like a great solution.
They're a lot easier to ignore than the religious nut at West End Station who regularly shouts biblical verses and preaches at the top of his lungs....regularly!! Some afternoons and evenings I can't even have my windows open.
I lived next to Times Square in NYC for 4 years where the Twelve Tribes dudes are regulars. I was surprised to see they have made it to Dallas. Glad to have them here. They don't hurt anyone and make for some good unintentional comedy during the day. (As with PETA, I'm still not convinced they aren't a comedy troupe though.)
They have spouted cuss words at me and other passersby but I usually have my headphones on so they think I don't hear them. Some of the time I am actually not listing to anything on my headphones. I just use them to ignore people who have something they want to try to sell me on the street. It is funny what people will do when they think your not paying attention.
Didn't know that. Well that's definitely not cool. The NYC version I often encountered didn't engage in stuff like that.
Yes because First Baptist does a fine job of that every week.....
YouPlusDallas video of PARK(ing) Day in Dallas:
http://www.youplusdallas.com/stories/parking-day-dallas
When's the next PARK(ing) day?
It's usually held on the third Friday of September
S.F. parklets: a little tour of a major trend
John King, Chronicle Urban Design Critic
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...#ixzz1iR67s2NG
The most significant change to San Francisco's landscape in 2011 involves a conjuring act that turns parking spaces into pedestrian nooks.
They go by the name of parklets, a word that didn't exist two years ago, and when 2011 arrived there were only four. Now there are 22, with six more approved and 44 in various stages of review.
Their reach extends from Potrero Hill to the Outer Sunset, as far north as Washington Square and as far south as one planned for the Excelsior district. The latter parklet will be built by students at the Out of Site Youth Arts Center; by contrast, Audi sponsored a "promenade" on Powell Street that was designed by noted Oakland landscape architect Walter Hood with a budget rumored to approach $1 million.
They're also attracting attention beyond the Bay Area. Parklets have popped up in Philadelphia and Vancouver, British Columbia. Several are planned for Los Angeles. Architectural Record devoted a page this fall to "the ultimate revenge on the modern city: one less parking space, one more park."
Correction: Two parking spaces are sacrificed, not one. In their place goes a platform that sits level with the sidewalk and is adorned with seating, plants and some form of a protective edge.
They've become so popular that there's even a spin-off in four "parkmobiles" near Yerba Buena Gardens that consist of low, customized dumpsters filled by eye-catching plants with an inset bench on one side.
Enough generalities. On to the specifics: a guided tour of every parklet now open. Some are more welcoming than others. Some already show their age. The best strive to create destinations, not just seating. It's a design experiment being conducted before our eyes, and it's not going away.
>>>> List of each parklet and their review can be found with the original article >>>>
The parklet at Squat & Gobble on 16th Street has the same French-sidewalk-cafe feel as the sponsoring crepery.
The eight tables give Cafe Abir's parklet a restaurant-alcove feel.
The objective here is clearly seating, but Quetzal Cafe's parklet on Polk Street meets that goal better than most. Three planters running perpendicular to the street divide the deck in half, with chairs and tables in primary colors.
The parklet sponsored by Arlequin and Mad Will's is a little uninspired considering the Hayes Street neighborhood
Home for the holidays, Isaac Roller (left) of New York and his sister, Zoe Roller of Brazil, relax at the Freewheel Bike Shop parklet.
Zoe Roller from Brazil and her brother Isaac Roller from New York (right) sit at the parklet in front of 914 Valencia St. in San Francisco, Calif., as they catch up on Wednesday, December 21, 2011.
Willa Lolif, 2 1/2, plays on the eucalyptus trunk that provides seating in the parklet at Trouble Coffee on Judah Street.
Powell St Parklet
Cathal Coy of Sydney kisses his child Caitlin on Powell Street.
The Four Barrel Coffee parklet - one of seven in the Valencia Street area - has two bars, with bicycle parking in between.
In front of Mojo Bicycle Cafe, the city's first parklet isn't much design-wise, but the plants dampen traffic noise on Divisadero.
Clockwise--Raoul de Larios-Heiman, 2 1/2 years old, Ulla de Larios, Lisa de Larios, Joshua de Larios-Heiman and John de Larios at the parklet in front of 78 29th St. in San Francisco, Calif., as they wait for Joshua coming from the post office on Thursday, December 22, 2011.
The parklet in front of Farleys, 1315 18th St. in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, December 21, 2011.
Laurie Pecoraro (left) with her child Luca Pecoraro, 2 months old, in the stroller talking with Lindsay Ames (right), with Isabel Ames, 2 mos. old, in front of 3870 24th St. in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, December 21, 2011.
Theresa Lopez and Jenni Price (left) having a ladie's lunch at 1132 Valencia St. in San Francisco, Calif., with their dogs next to them on Wednesday, December 21, 2011.
Bryan English (right) eats a slice of pizza with Chris Head (center) and Stephanie Tywoniuk in the parklet at 3248 22nd St., in front of Revolution Cafe in the Mission District of San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011.
The parklet in front of the Crepe House, 1755 Polk St. in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, December 23, 2011.
Brian Schneirow (middle) watching as his poodle Lucy plays with Buster, the pet of Jack Walsh (right), 13 years old, in front of the the parklet at Arizmendi, 1331 9th Ave. in San Francisco, Calif., on a Monday morning, December 19, 2011. Jana Walsh from San Francisco watches at left.
The parklet in front of Tony's, 1570 Stockton St. in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, December 23, 2011.
A cyclist passes by a plant sculptured triceratops in front of 937 Valencia St. in San Francisco, Calif. Modest in size but ambitious in reach, this is the only parklet in front a of a private home.
>>>> >>>>
Creating a parklet
So you want to build a parklet - officially described as "space for people to sit, relax and enjoy the city around them." Follow these steps:
Pick a good location: It can't be at a corner, and it can't be on streets where the speed limit exceeds 25 miles per hour. Don't block red zones or fire hydrants.
Backing: Line up "demonstrated community support," such as letters or petitions. They come in handy if a neighbor objects.
Know the rules: When the city's application period begins - the next one might come this spring - keep a few design parameters in mind: The platform can extend only 6 feet beyond the curb, and it must be framed by "planters, railing or cabling." Permanent seating is preferred to the exclusive use of movable chairs. Greenery is a plus. So are "high quality, durable and beautiful" materials. No tropical hardwoods, though!
Costs: If you do get approved, anticipate fees of $982.50 - plus $650 more if parking meters are taken out of commission - and a $221 annual fee. Plus liability insurance ($1 million). The cost of construction varies from parklet to parklet, but a $20,000 budget will probably be enough.
Those are pretty cool. I wonder if that could work in Dallas.
RAIN! To....much.....rain.....
I think it could.
define "work"
Permanent "parklets" could be successful in Dallas if there is participation from businesses and the community. The 360 Plan calls for some along Main Street for outdoor patios, but those could be years away. The best location for these installations is in dense neighborhoods of the city that have a real demand for public space but are lacking places for traditional parks or patios (or have poor street utilization). Deep Ellum would be a prime candidate.
^The closed off downtown side streets are already working on this level, like Stone Street.
Or they could consider temporary closure of alleys or side streets during part of the day as is done with Belden Place and Maiden Lane in SF.
Belden Place during the day:
In the evening:
At Night:
Similary Maiden Lane is transformed for lunch time.
During the day:
At lunch time:
And yet there are also several closed off streets (now "malls") that are barren and empty. Browder Street Mall, Bullington Mall, Griffin Place. Our problem isn't a lack of space... it's a lack of street level activity near those spaces. Maybe those spaces should be our "parklet" challenges.
totally
PARK(ing) Day is about 2 months away (September 21, 2012). It also happens to be on the same day as the city's Green Fest (complete with food trucks, entertainment, etc), both of which will be held downtown.
More plans and online registration will be announced soon:
http://www.parkingdaydallas.org/
I have to get involved this year now that I have some more free time.
Ditto.
Our first event (an informational meeting / Meet & Greet) will be next Thursday (08/02) 6:00pm at the Magnolia Hotel. Everyone is welcome.
https://www.facebook.com/events/305019706261776/
PDMeetGreet.jpg
Not looking like I'm going to get to make it tonight. Can you all that go fill me in on what gets discussed?
Well I made it here jut leaving a quick message cause the room is bubbling with people and conversation. So far a goo turn out for the first meeting.
sound messy
There was a large group and many new participants for 2012. Here's a recap of the Meet & Greet including an information sheet that was distributed. Now that planning has officially begun, individual teams will start planning their spaces.
http://www.parkingdaydallas.org/2012...t-greet-recap/
^any talk about staging the event more than once a year? or gauging availability of contributors?
Well since its tied to the national event I don't see it expanding to additional days but the city is taking notice. It's sounds like the city will be incorporating some code amendments in the future that will allow businesses to possibly use parking spaces on a more regular basis for things like patios and parks based on the things they are seeing at this event. After all I believe the Parks and Recreation Department will again be participating along with other well known property owners in Downtown so there is a growing amount of support for these new public spaces in parking spaces.
There are ideas floating around about reusing some of the installations in other parts of the city. I'd like to see one space somewhere set aside as a testbed for different parklet ideas.
Just a reminder that PARK(ing) Day is Friday, September 21st. We transformed a small space in Victory Park for an appearance on WFAA this morning (probably the most action Houston Street has had in a while).
There's still time to register. So far there are 45+ installations planned along Main Street (between Main Street Garden & Belo Garden) and Harwood Street. Everything from pop-up museums to yoga studios, a book swap, a dog park, plus three performance areas.
Also, more lasting changes are resulting from PARK(ing) Day: bcWORKSHOP is currently building a mobile "parklet" that can be placed in different areas of downtown Dallas over the upcoming year.
Really excited for the one I'm helping put together on Harwood w another forumer (though I don't recall his username). Check it out and try to beat your friends! (keeping the competition a secret for now but it should be fun!)
Here's hoping the event spreads to other parts of town!
It seems like the opposite is happening. This year groups and businesses from as far away as Denton, Plano, Forney, and Arlington will be setting up "parks" downtown because they want to be part of the action in the city.
Are you guys ready?
57 "parks" will be popping up along Main Street and Harwood Street (11am-7pm). There will also be three performance stages of local entertainment, plus an after-party beer garden at Thanks-Giving Square (6-9pm). It's going to be a fun day!
Follow the Facebook page for up-to-date-information. Maps of scheduled activity can also be found on the PARK(ing) Day Dallas website. Come out and join in the fun!
And while you're out, check out bcWORKSHOP's new Parklet in front of their office on S Ervay. It's the first "permanent" (but mobile) parklet for downtown Dallas... inspired by last year's PARK(ing) Day effort.
Happy PARK(ing) Day!
Is it too soon to ask what you've learned from year to year? Has the goal changed?
Here's the new parklet on Ervay
This year we had more exposure and a greater variety of participants (many who became interested after seeing it last year). I think there was a lot more thought into each group's space which increased interaction with passers-by. There seemed to be twice as many people on the street as last year.
One improvement over last year is that the city no longer required us to have barricades and as much security this year, so I think attitudes are slowly changing that varied activities on the street are not "dangerous" or "scary." Of course, safety was still a consideration being just a few feet from the travel lane, but the city knew what to expect.
Mayor Rawlings came out to check out the installations, and the permanent parklet built by bcWORKSHOP will be a great long-term demonstration of public space adaptation (modular to become a performance stage at City Tavern, cafe seating for a restaurant, etc). More groups have been thinking of ways to make the event sustainable. There are plenty of parks in downtown Dallas right now, so the idea is not to convince the city to turn all parking into green space. I think PARK(ing) Day in Dallas is becoming an event that lets anyone — business, individual, organization — have a say in what they'd like to see in the community. Something that gives back to the neighborhood, creates a social meeting place, and provides the unexpected to residents and visitors.
The parklet developed by bcWORKSHOP will be making its way around downtown Dallas during the month of April (for Architecture360). It will remain in a location for one week, and then move to another neighborhood. Most of the time it will remain a public park open for any use, but we're also looking for businesses and organizations to "adopt" it for a day and help with programming. We're trying to raise awareness of the parklet (which lately has been sitting in storage), and hoping it gains stronger support from local businesses.
Locations include: Browder Street @ Commerce, Main Street @ Ervay, Record @ Elm (West End) and St Paul @ Bryan (St Paul DART Station).
^I like that idea. I noticed you put that out elsewhere and was trying to think of something to help out w/regards to programming.
Let me know if I can get the Dallas Parks Foundation to help out with that. What would adopting/programming the parklet entail?
It could be programming for a few hours, or transforming the space for a full day. The platform will already be in place and can be reconfigured by a group if desired. It's really open to any idea.
Here's the schedule of the locations: http://www.bcworkshop.org/parklet/
The parklet was installed today at Browder Street
130404-Initial-Setup-and-Browder-Plaza.jpg
^You guys are doing such a great job!
The mediator between the head and the hands must be the heart.
Nice looking!
Are they planning to do something with it at this location or are they just waiting on people to sort of figure something out on their own. Sorry I haven't been to the meetings been too busy on campus to be make it back to Dallas on the meetings dates.
Furniture will be put into place later today. Next week it should make its way to some of the on-street parking spaces, so this week at the plaza is just a warm up. It's open to anyone to use as a park, but groups can "adopt" it for a few hours to program if they want (allowing them to reconfigure the space).
The idea is to place it in a single location for a long enough time that people become used to it as part of the landscape. It sometimes takes a few days before people understand and are brave enough to sit in the space. Hopefully it is popular enough (when the weather gets nicer) that people miss it when it leaves.
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