Idaho Smart Growth joins local partners to Unpave Parking Spots and put up a paradise for people in celebration of PARK(ing) Day 2018 on Friday, September 21!

Parking spaces along 8th Street, 9th Street, Main Street, Vista Village and Collister shopping center in Boise, and around the globe, to be reclaimed and turned into temporary public “PARKs” for people.

(Image Credit: “Shifting the Paradigm” designed by Maki Kawaguchi)

WHAT:

In celebration of PARK(ing) Day on Friday, September 21, Idaho Walk Bike Alliance and Idaho Smart Growth will join with ACHD Commuteride, American Heart Association, DL Evans Bank, Energize Our Neighborhoods, North End and Collister neighborhoods and Vista Healthy Corridor to create temporary public “PARKs” in eight locations around Boise.

PARK(ing) Day, an annual global event since 2005, inspires artists, activists and citizens in cities around the world to temporarily transform metered parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces. Originally invented by Rebar, a San Francisco-based art and design studio, PARK(ing) Day challenges people to rethink the way streets are used and reinforces the need for broad-based changes to urban infrastructure.

WHEN & WHERE:

Friday, September 21, 2018

8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Downtown Boise, on 9th Street near Main Street, hosted by DL Evans Bank and Stack Rock Group

• D.L. Evans Bank and Stack Rock Group have partnered to transform 2 parking spaces outside of D.L. Evans’ Downtown branch to illustrate how parklets can make our streets more human centered and provide places to gather, play, and to enjoy being outside.

8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – YIMBY! on Main Street south of City Hall between Capital and 6th Street  hosted by Energize Our Neighborhoods

• Energize our Neighborhoods will have a parklet on Main Street to encourage Boise’s neighborhoods to join in the fun next year. Parklets create inviting community spaces and are a great way to engage with neighbors and residents as they pass by.

11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Downtown Boise, on 8th Street between Idaho and Bannock, in the three parking spots closest to Idaho Street hosted by Idaho Walk Bike Alliance, ACHD Commuteride and American Heart Association

• Idaho Walk Bike Alliance envisions an Idaho known for its active, vibrant, healthy and economically strong communities. Its “PARK” will be similar to the one last year, featuring greenery and sitting areas where visitors can stop by to chat or just sit and relax.
• ACHD Commuteride promotes smart commute options through education, rideshare services, and effective partnerships. Its “PARK” will show off how relaxing vanpooling really is by inviting people to stop by to read a book, listen to a podcast, or just relax while sitting in a cushy, outdoor vanpool seat.
• American Heart Association works to impact lives by empowering people and their loved ones to live healthier lives and enjoy more peace of mind about heart disease and stroke. Its “PARK” will star a little red bench where people will be invited to share their “why” by explaining the moments, people or experiences that motivate them to live healthier lives. “PARK” visitors will also be able to win by participating in a physical challenge.

12:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Vista Village Vista Avenue Healthy Corridor hosted by Vista Healthy Corridor Initiative, Urban Land Institute and Depot Bench Neighborhood

• Pavement into Parks turning parking lots into parks is an effort by the Vista Healthy Corridors Initiative, Depot Bench Neighborhood Association and Urban Land Institute to illustrate what is possible and how Vista Avenue can become a healthy, vibrant economic corridor connected to the community through neighborhood gathering places.

3:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Triangulate! at the Collister Shopping Center on State Street near Baskin and Robbins hosted by Collister neighbors

• Why not “triangulate” and continue to build a strong sense of place and community by giving neighbors an opportunity to linger. In the spirit of park{ing} day we encourage neighbors to bike or walk down to our “park” and join us for ice cream, rock painting and games!

3:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Play Frenzy, on 8th Street between Ada and Sherman hosted by North End neighbors

• Front Yard Play Frenzy put together by neighbors to celebrate Park(ing) Day to redefining their play space and busy north end streets by bringing play to front yards to remind drivers that children live and play there in hopes of slowing speeds making their streets feel safer and more comfortable.

Use hashtag #ENERGIZEBOISE to share your Park(ing) Day experience in Boise.

WHY:

“Streets are for people too! So, we hope to call attention to the way our streets are improved when we share them and highlight the need for more urban open spaces,” said Cynthia Gibson, executive director of Idaho Walk Bike Alliance. “We chose 8th Street for our “PARK” because it is such a fantastic example of how access for cyclists and pedestrians helps create a healthy and vibrant community. This access even boosts communities’ bottom lines because non-motorized transportation facilities provide tangible economic benefits. It’s just good for business.”

“We’re supporting community group parklets throughout the city as a way to illustrate how our streets can be so much more than just travel for motor vehicles,” said Deanna Smith, Idaho Smart Growth program coordinator.