Around the world, parking spaces were transformed into miniature public parks and community centers on Friday, as the fifth annual Park(ing) Day challenged people to reimagine city streets without cars -- if only until the meters ran out.
Originally a project of San Francisco-based art and design studio Rebar, Park(ing) Day participants from Tucson to Tehran set up temporary installations ranging from simple unrolled sod to art galleries and even free health clinics.
"In urban centers around the world, inexpensive curbside parking results in increased traffic, wasted fuel and more pollution," said Rebar’s Matthew Passmore. "The strategies that generated these conditions are not sustainable, nor do they promote a healthy, vibrant human habitat."
Over 50 spaces in New York City alone became miniature public parks, with participants tweeting and checking in on Foursquare. In Paris, the festivities lasted for two days and included bicycle tours of the different parks. And in Brisbane, knitters made trees and grass from yarn.
In order to participate, groups only had to fill out a license form from Rebar and abide by local rules and regulations. Luckily, most of them took tons of pictures, which we bring to you.
Photos: Flickr/Steve Rhodes*, helkimchee, skz!, mrphancy, *DanO'Connor
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