While San Diego continues to pave over and give away public land to store private vehicles, some San Diegans continue their determined focus to call attention for the need for more open space. Tomorrow is Park(ing) Day, the annual event that creates temporary urban havens for people. The original thought behind Park(ing) Day was as follows:
Donut-Bar-Parking-Day, 2013. Photo: Downtown Partnership
The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out!
Downtown Partnership has outdone itself with the sheer number of locations that will have temporary parklets instead of parking spaces tomorrow.
Downtown San Diego Partnership & Downtown San Diego Clean & Safe, 440 5th Avenue
Gaslamp Quarter Association, 4th Avenue between Market & Island
Co-Merge + Equinox Center + 1to1 Movement, 330 A Street
Ace Parking + Civic San Diego, 289 6th Avenue (on the top floor of the 6th & K parkade)
CAR 2 GO, 633 9th Avenue
Makers Quarter + Moniker Group + Ladies & Gentlemen Coffee + TJ Newell, 705 16th Street
Ma Cherie Boutique , 425 10th Avenue
San Diego Donut Bar, 631 B Street
Downtown Ace Hardware, 675 6th Avenue
Caption Boutique and Gallery, 495 10th Avenue
Manpower, 1855 1st Avenue
World Resources SimCenter, 1088 3rd Avenue
If you are interested in participating, please contact Greg Parkington, gparkington@downtownsandiego.org or 619.234.8900
Cherokee Point resident Vince Rivera chats with one of the family members who owns Super Cocina at Park(ing) Day 2013. Photo: City Heights CDC
In Mid-City, the bicycle and pedestrian planning company, KTU&A is hosting a Park(ing) Day Pit Stop featuring a cycle-track exhibit from 8-10 AM at Normal St and Harvey Milk St. The City Heights CDC is hosting a Park(ing) Day in front of Super Cocina at 3627 University Avenue.
But temporary parklets are a thing of the past. thanks in part to the strong efforts of Elizabeth Studebaker who works in the city’s Economic Development Department. Right now, construction is underway for four bike corrals at:
South Park – Mythology, 2365 30th Street
North Park – Modern Times Brewing, 4026 30th Street
El Cajon Blvd – Live Wire & Mama’s Lebanese Bakery, 4237 Alabama Street
Hillcrest – Lotus Thai/Jake’s on 6th, at 3761 6th Avenue
Construction is also underway for the creation of parklets such at the one at Alabama Street:
It seems like a lifetime ago when the temporary parklet at 30th and Upas made its appearance back in 2012.
2012: A makeshift Parklet created on Park(ing) Day in front of Sea Rocket Bistro. Photo: Dennis Stein, co-owner of Sea Rocket Bistro.
Maybe all those parking spots are future bike corral and parklet venues.