What started as a one-off in 2005 to get people to re-imagine how we use urban spaces has now grown into a global event.
On the third Friday each September, PARK(ing) Day, the brainchild of local design group Rebar, cleverly takes advantage of affordable spaces for rent—public metered parking spaces—and transforms them into temporary art and event spaces. In the past, groups have held organized picnics, set up stations for playing board games, created temporary art galleries, and hosted sessions to encourage conversations with complete strangers. Anyone can participate—all you have to do is keep feeding those meters.
Here are a few of our favorite event taking place on Friday, September 15th around the Bay Area.
Found Object Sculpture Park
Neighbors Studio O + A and second-hand shop Moving Sale are setting up a temporary public sculpture garden on Howard Street between 5th and 6th streets from 10am-5:30pm. The two groups have been busy building sculptures from some of the resale store's inventory, and those items will be on display for passersby to check out. If you fancy a piece, place a bid. They will be auctioning off the works at 5pm, and proceeds will go to another art event, 6th Street Art Walk, happening in the neighborhood in October. // 965 Howard St. (SoMa); eventbrite.com
Drop-off Donation Bank
Design firm HKS will be collecting items to create hygiene kits for the homeless at their temporary installation space. Working with SF-based non-profit Simply the Basics, people will be on hand to collect your donations that people dealing with income and housing security issues often go without. On their list of new and unused items they seek: feminine hygiene products, socks, toothbrushes, razors, sunscreen, deodorant, and travel-size toiletry products. Their parking spot is located near a Whole Foods, so you can drop in to pick up some items on your way there. // 399 4th Street (Soma)
Public Picnic
Brown bag it or grab some quick and tasty carry-out to take the offices of those clever folks at SPUR. Working with the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, the two orgs will create a space for lunching al fresco between 10:30am and 1:30 pm. When you're finished noshing, don't pass up on the activities the groups are offering including tasting apples and honey for the upcoming Rosh Hashanah holiday, working on a public art project, or helping prepare hygiene kits that will be distributed by Lava Mae to homeless persons. // 654 Mission St. (SoMa); facebook.com
Center Yourself
Walk Oakland Bike Oakland (WOBO) is spreading the PARK(day) word with a handy map of events taking place in the East Bay. One standout activity is taking place at engineering firm Michael Baker International, which will be holding yoga and meditation classes 10am-1pm in front of their offices at 1 Kaiser Place. // Oakland, wobo.org
Dancing on the Wall
Bring a folding chair to Luka's Taproom from 6 to 8pm when vertical dance troupe BANDALOOP will be performing on the offices at the Great Wall of Oakland, tethered by cables anchored to the building's roof. Beers will be only $1. // 2201 Broadway St. (Oakland); facebook.com
Temporary Skate Park
Local faves Bonzing Skateboards, creators of upcycled decks design by Bay Area artists, is setting up a mini ramp and giving away hot dogs from 11am to 7pm. Get your grind on. // 523 Grand Ave. (Oakland); facebook.com
