I remember hearing about this initiative while studying urban design and thinking it was genius! I also remember thinking it would be a tough thing to get off the ground in Saskatoon, but now, knowing the great people I do in this city, I know it will be a fun and widely successful project! I mean, essentially it's a street fair where you get to build your own patio on the street, and it's for a good cause; What's not to like? Here's how it works...

On Friday, September 21 2012, people around the world will participate in PARK(ing) Day, an annual event where designers, citizens and businesses transform metered parking spots into temporary public parks. In 2011, PARK(ing) Day had 975 parks created in 162 cities and 35 countries on 6 continents. In 2012, Saskatoon will participate in this global movement with a local demonstration that situates the city as a world-class example of sustainability and creativity.

In Broadway and Riversdale, citizens of Saskatoon are invited to convert parking metered spaces into urban parks. For example: the Saskatchewan Environmental Society will create a park and use their bike-powered blender to make smoothies for visitors. And the City of Saskatoon Public Library and READ Saskatoon will host storytelling for families. The public is welcome to join the events of the day and create their own park. Interested parties can connect with organizers via email: participate@saskatoonparkingday.com.

In Riversdale, Saskatoon Cycles will bring together a community of cyclists and create innovative bike parking solutions for the day. The parking lot at 20th Street and Avenue B will be transformed into a vibrant public square with artists, buskers, storytelling, yoga and graffiti artists mentoring youth. Food trucks will line the park, and the Saskatoon Engineering Students’ Society will do a real-life recreation of the PARK(ing) Day logo: an upside down car with a garden planted on top. Vacant buildings on 20th Street between Avenue B and C will be converted into popup retail stores showcasing local fashion and art. The activity will take place all day and into the evening, when the Two Twenty will host a nightlife party with music and a bar. The retail popup stores will also host lively night scenes, as a movie is shown in the public park. It's going to be so fun!

Collectively, these activities demonstrate that healthy communities have ‘complete streets’—designed for all ages, abilities, and modes of travel. On complete streets, safe and comfortable access for pedestrians, bicycles, transit users, motorized vehicles and the mobility-impaired is not an afterthought, but an integral planning feature. A complete streets policy ensures that planners and engineers recognize that streets are about more than traffic: they serve as focal points of commerce and culture, where people shop, dine, stroll, play, and meet.

Organizing committee spokesperson and U of S alumna Carrie Catherine says, “This event is not about eliminating parking in Saskatoon. It’s about supporting and encouraging future development of complete streets, where community and commerce thrives.”

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, Sep 20: Kick-off Party with Ken Greenberg

Broadway Theatre 6:30pm-10pm, FREE tickets (http://www.picatic.com/ticket/parkingday)
There will be:

- PARK(ing) Day demonstration of how to create an urban park

- Wine & cheese & music

- Art performances, including Charles Hamilton’s “Saskatoon: A Love Letter”

- Book sale and signing by Ken Greenberg - Architect, Urban Designer, Teacher and Author, recipient of the 2010 American Institute of Architects Thomas Jefferson Award for public design excellence and the author of Walking Home: the Life and Lessons of a City Builder - www.greenbergconsultants.com

- ALAN WALLACE - City of Saskatoon Urban Planner - Topic: Saskatoon’s Integrated Growth Plan

- Public question and answer period moderated by Gerry Klein, columnist at The Star Phoenix

- Music by Carrie Catherine and friends

- Sponsored by: Nutana Community Association, Broadway Business Improvement District, The Broadway Theatre, The Two Twenty, deezine.ca, City of Saskatoon, Stantec, Road Map Saskatoon, Meewasin Valley Authority, Great Places, Turning the Tide, U of S Urban and Regional Planning Program, The Star Phoenix

Friday, Sep 21: PARK(ing) Day

Broadway Avenue 10am - midnight

- Along with several PARK(ing) Day installations, the parking lot at five corners in front of the Broadway Roastery will be transformed into a vibrant public square.

Riversdale - 20th St W (between Avenue B and C) 10am - midnight

- PARK(ing) Day will redesign the neighborhood of Riversdale as a sustainable, bike-friendly complete street where community and business thrive.

Including:

- PUBLIC SQUARE created in the parking lot at 20th Street and Ave B with green space & public seating.
- Buskers, dancers and visual artists. Sponsored by Village Guitars & Amp Co.
- Professional graffiti artists YGW creating original artwork
- Storytelling by the Saskatoon Public Library
- Yoga classes by Hot Yoga on 20th
- Food trucks/carts and vendors
- The Tiny Home tour by Lydia Holden
- PARK(ing) Day real-life logo installation by the Saskatoon Engineering Students’ Society: an upside down car with a garden on top
- Movie night projection after sundown
- BIKING ACTIVITIES with Saskatoon Cycles
- POPUP FASHION RETAIL STORE, showcasing local fashion with music and bar in the evening. Presented by Saskatoon Fashion and Design Festival and Mix & Match Marketplace. Sponsored by Parviz Yazdani.
- POPUP ART GALLERY & RETAIL, with cash bar in the evening. Presented by The Stall Gallery. Sponsored by Stunn Collective.
- FARMER’S MARKET activities
- MIXED MEDIA 3 PARTY at the Two Twenty that evening featuring DJs, bar and food
- INDIE INK PUBLISHING'S "FRESH" SOCIAL MEDIA LAUNCH PARTY in THE DEN at the Two Twenty that evening featuring slam poet KHODI DILL and independent book authors.

(note the rooster)

Sponsored by: The Two Twenty, deezine.ca, Siemens Koopman Architects, Saskatoon Engineering Students’ Society, Broadway Business Improvement District, Riversdale Business Improvement District, Meewasin Valley Authority, University of Saskatchewan Regional and Urban Planning Program, Mane Productions, Susan Busse PR