Metered parking spots in downtown will become mini-parks for the day celebrating Park(ing) Day’s 8th year in Chattanooga on Friday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Individuals, businesses and civic groups are all invited to participate in this free event organized for by River City Company and are encouraged to create a temporary public space filled with fun and interaction. With assistance again this year from CARTA, park(ers) and their respective parklets are required to register prior to the day’s event through River City Company and are encouraged to start planning their parks early.
"Park(ing) Day is a fun event for those that create a park and for those that are just enjoying the day’s festivities,” states Amy Donahue, marketing and communication manager for River City Company. “Our goal with Park(ing) Day is to reinforce how important vibrant, public spaces are in Downtown Chattanooga and to do so by highlighting all the creative individuals that can be found in our community.”
In 2014, 47 parklets were created and included yoga classes, grand piano parks, root beer and drinking vinegar tastings, a photo booth, trivia, a hammock park and many more.
“Participating last year in Park(ing) Day was a treat for Real Estate Partners,” states Adelia Mosley, marketing director for Real Estate Partners Chattanooga LLC. “We designed a live, work and play parklet with a 'green' office space including a sod covered couch that sparked a lot of conversation and interaction with participants. It is a great downtown event.”
To participate in Park(ing) Day, please email parkingdaychattanooga@gmail.com or call River City Company at 265-3700 with your name, organization (if applicable), phone number and planned activity.
There will be a general information meeting at River City Company on 850 Market St., 2nd Floor Miller Plaza on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 4 p.m. for anyone that wants to learn more about the program.
Park(ing) Day was created by a San Francisco based art and design studio, ReBar, in 2005 to encourage communities to rethink the way streets are used and reinforce the need for broad-based changes to urban infrastructure to promote healthy, vibrant and walkable urban areas.