Looking for Park(ing) Day in Minneapolis, St. Paul

Lawnchairs, shrubs, grills and even music were brought to parking spaces in parts of Minneapolis and Saint Paul on September 17. The annual Park(ing) Day had groups of activists, artists and citizens transforming parking spaces into impromptu parks, with the meter plugged all day. At about 20 locations all over the Twin Cities, these temporary green spaces were up and running during some time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Looking forward to seeing and reporting the Park(ing) Day, I checked the map available on the website, and then went to Pillsbury Street, but I could not find any parking space with the event going on. Later, I found out that participants choose their own time to occupy each spot.

Park(ing) Day was started in 2005 by a San Francisco-based art and design studio to call attention to the values that generate the form of public space. Today it's a worldwide event, with parks being created in urban areas for creative experimentation, activism, socializing and play. In the Twin Cities, with an extensive park system, the Park(ing) Day co-organizer Troy Gallas says in addition to drawing awareness to the need for more green spaces in our cities, people are able to use the event to celebrate what they have already. However, he points out areas still in need of green space, such as downtown Minneapolis. "We like to try to have a few spaces in that area. Maybe a surface lot or two could be turned into parks."

Gallas said one challenge over the last few years has been getting city permission. Both cities thus far have been fine with it as long as the meters are plugged and participants are not creating any dangerous situations. However, it's still hard for some people to understand what they are doing in the parking spaces.

"Every year we usually have someone call to complain about the event which draws a squad car for a closer look" said Gallas, "But they've always been friendly once we explain what's going on and they see we're not causing any disruption-just enjoying a day in the park".

A spot created by a theatrical group called Mixed Precipitation Theatre had a short performance that drew a crowd. Another space taken over by U of M design students talked, among other things, about storm water runoff. These examples show a way that groups use the space for education and arts on the Park(ing) Day, besides just hanging out. Sometimes they get an awkward glance from the people that are passing by, but most of the time people have a big smile on their faces.

Amanda Noventa

Amanda Noventa  is back to her home country, Brazil, after four years living in Minnesota. Currently she is writing and having coconut water on the beach.