Park(ing) Day

On Friday, September 20, an international group behind PARK(ing) Day, described as "an annual worldwide event where artists, designers and citizens transform metered parking spots into temporary public parks," encouraged city residents to take over a parking space in their neighborhood and turn it into a mini-park.

At the corner of 5th Avenue and 11th Street, the group Transportation Alternatives set up a mini-park and used the opportunity to lobby people about getting more open space in the area.

"We have a campaign called '5th and 6th forward' which is trying to get the city to reconfigure 5th and 6th Avenue south of 59th Street with the needs of pedestrians and cyclists primarily, not just cars, cars, cars," said Albert Ahronheim, chair of the group's activist committee, pictured here with Jose Donado. "What our trellis does is shows all the different modes of transportation, and standing still, that really should have their fair share of public space."