How much space do you think those metered parking spaces downtown take up?  How much space in any city is ceded to cars and their needs, instead of people and THEIR needs?  On September 19, you can catch a glimpse of what those parking spaces could become, if only we citizens would work together to change our transportation habits.

And to prove this point, here comes National Park(ing) Day!  Begun, like so many strong movements, in San Francisco, National Park(ing) Day is a day to celebrate and reclaim our streets for people.  Parking spaces are taken over by volunteers and turned into mini-parks, like these:

In Charleston, this reclamation is being spearheaded by the Trust for Public Land and DesignWorks, with additional sponsors including the I’On Group; they’ve claimed 4 parking spaces and are creating a Farmer’s Market, sponsored by the Stono Market; a Mini-Dog Park, sponsored by Alpha Dog Omega Cat and Carolina Fresh Farms; Music in the Park with local musicians, sponsored by Down to Earth and Carolina Fresh Farms; and Ping-Pong Park and a Green Car Park, sponsored by Import and Vintage Repairs. 

If you need some more green space and park time in your life - and don’t we all? - make sure you stop by the corner of Church and Market Streets (across from the Anson Restaurant) on Sept. 19.  And if you’re really, really awesome, you can help leave as many parking spaces open as possible, and walk, ride your bike, or take the bus.  It’s a step in the direction of fewer cars, and fewer parking spaces.

Filed under: Charleston SC Green Living, Events, I'On Group, I'On Village, Mixson, Morris Square, Urban Sustainability on September 11th, 2008