Over the next month and a half, I’ll post a series of short entries that deal with some of the most exciting reasons to grab some friends and neighbors and transform a parking space into a PARK on Park(ing) Day 2008, Friday September 19. It’s easy! and meaningful, and powerful. Read on!

Reason #1 to redeem a PARKING SPACE with a PARK on PARK(ing) Day 2008:

Immediate Gratification

The way precious open space is distributed among New York City’s residents is deeply flawed—those with the least private space, who live in the densest parts of the city, also have the most difficulty accessing public green space. And while reallocating space for public parks [owned and maintained by the City Parks Department] where they are most needed is a long-term project whose progress is pegged to many economic and political conditions, Park(ing) Day is an opportunity for a quick hit! We can roll out the green and put up the trees, be barefoot and relaxed in the chaotic asphalt and steel urban island jungle, demonstrating to passersby, neighbors, and most importantly OURSELVES, that more parks are possible, and NOW.