DDD’s PARK(ing) Day To Transform Parking Spaces Into Temporary Public Places
NEW ORLEANS – The Downtown Development District (DDD) is issuing an open call to artists, designers, architects, landscape architects, urban planners and any other local activists to submit design proposals to be constructed for New Orleans PARK(ing) Day on Friday, Oct. 6.
The annual, open-source global event where citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spaces into “PARK(ing)” spaces: temporary public places, will take place within the boundaries of the DDD: Iberville Street, Convention Center Boulevard., S. Claiborne Avenue and Calliope Street, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The project began in 2005 when Rebar, a San Francisco art and design studio, converted a single metered parking space into a temporary public park in downtown San Francisco. Since 2005, PARK(ing) Day has evolved into a global movement, with organizations and individuals creating new forms of temporary public space in urban contexts around the world.
These temporary public spaces are sponsored by local businesses and organizations which understand the importance of carving out space for public use in increasingly dense urban environments. Each park developer will be responsible for funding their project. Park(ing) Day seeks to encourage community interaction and livability. DDD reps said they hope PARK(ing) Day will cultivate the sense of civic pride, improve our city’s local urban environment, incubate new urban programs and evolve the way we think about the design and craft of urban place making.
Deadlines include:
• Sept. 8: Proposal submission deadline
• Sept. 15: Approved projects announced
• Sept. 28: Mandatory meeting for all participants
• Oct. 6: Park(ing) Day
Design criteria include the following:
• Teams can be composed of single or multiple individuals, or organizations. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged.
• Proposals should be programmed to engage various participants and may be associated with music, food, health and wellness, art, etc.
• Consider how users will engage/ interact with proposed program for six hours, between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Setup and breakdown will occur before 10:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m., respectively.
• The PARK(ing) Day organizing committee will provide: coordination support, required permits, communication and signage on site.
Each PARK(ing) space must respond to the PARK(ing) Day guidelines:
1. Design for minimum of one space at 7’ x 20’ and maximum of two spaces at 7’ x 40.’
2. Consider environmental conditions such as sun, shade, wind, weather, traffic and construction.
3. Building materials should consider groundcover, seating, shade, enclosure and signage.
4. Plan ahead for sourcing materials in advance, transportation of materials to and from site, assembly, documentation and user engagement.
5. All participants are responsible to remove any materials, trash or debris associated with his/ her parklet at the end of the day. The metered spot should be returned to its original condition so that vehicles may be able to resume use without any obstructions.
6. Any PARK(ing) Day Participant may place its brand, logo or other promotional imagery on signage associated with its PARK(ing) Day installation. Such signage is limited to two posters, no larger than 11” x 17” inches in size, that serve the sole purpose of acknowledging the creators, funders or organizers of the PARK(ing) Day installation. The signage may not contain specific offers for goods or services, or offer specific promotions, discounts, or coupons, whether related to PARK(ing) Day or not.
Design proposals should be presented on a maximum of five 8.5” x 11” sheets and include:
• Contact information including email and a phone number that can be used the day of the event.
• Specific description of the proposed location including closest municipal address and intersection.
• Brief description of the parking space design/activity (schematic drawings and sketches are encouraged).
• Number of parking spaces requested (DDD reps ask that participants not leave any of the requested spots empty).
