Event raises the call for more open space
DOWNTOWN Like most mornings, Francie Rehwald will go about her daily ritual today, kicking back with the paper and a cup of Joe.
Little will change in this routine this morning except for its setting, taking place not in the kitchen or living room, but rather on back-to-back parking spaces along the 1400 block of Montana Avenue. The life-long Santa Monica resident is part of a growing nationwide movement, one that advocates for more open space and sustainability by taking back the streets.
The movement will take center stage today as thousands of people across the country will begin feeding parking meters and occupy the spaces much like they would a spot at the beach or park, setting up a lawn chair and sitting back.
An event that originated in San Francisco in 2005 after a small group transformed a metered parking spot into a grassy retreat, Park(ing) Day is intended to demonstrate the accessibility of streets as public open space. The event has quickly gained popularity in cities across the country, including in the Los Angeles area where Park(ing) Day L.A. is celebrating its second year.
“We realized that too much of our urban environment is given over to the car and therefore not enough to the person and individual,” said William Wright, the director of government and public affairs for the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles, which is one of the facilitators of the event.
At least seven of these smaller parks are expected to blossom in Santa Monica where there are more than two dozen community parks and 245 acres of state beach but where the lack of open space remains an issue.
Rehwald plans to take over two spaces on Montana Avenue with landscaper friend Aaron Landworth who will set down several square feet of sod and some trees.
The two plan to lounge around from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., drinking some coffee, ordering some lunch and enjoying a day out at the makeshift park.
“It’s important to bring attention to the need for parks,” Rehwald said. “This is one way to draw attention to that.”
A similar sight will be expected citywide, including on the corner of 20th Street and Olympic Boulevard where David Hertz Architects will set up its own park.
The firm will take over five parking spots in front of its office building, which received a platinum rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The architectural firm will set up several displays showing off various aspects of sustainable architecture, including so-called “green roofs.”
“I think there is a way to make a public offering to raise awareness and importance of parks in our city,” architect David Hertz said.
Among the biggest proponents of Park(ing) day are the architects and designers, whose own organization — the American Institute of Architects — helped spearhead the Los Angeles version of the national event. The local firm of Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners are also expected to participate.
“The advantage of having AIA Los Angeles involved is we’re able to not only provide outreach to the community and media, but to get as many architects and designers involved as possible,” Wright said.
Even the media is getting in on the action. El Segundo-based Vegetarian Times will head north to Santa Monica for a few hours, setting up a park on Main Street in front of One Life Natural Foods, handing out free heirloom seeds and copies of the magazine to passersby.
Santa Monica was a perfect place to participate in the event because of its eco-conscious population, said Elizabeth Turner, the editor-in-chief.
“We saw it as a good idea for us to hand out seeds to encourage people to grow their own fruits and vegetables,” Turner said. “Park(ing) Day is about thinking green so we were taking that in a food direction.”
Perhaps the biggest parks will be in the parking lot adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier tonight when the Recreation and Parks Commission will take over the spots to turn it into an outdoor movie theater, screening the animated film “Open Season.”
Commission Chairwoman Susan Cloke said that Park(ing) Day in Santa Monica seeks to accomplish two goals — raising the need for more green space in urban life and encouraging residents to find ways to get around town without a car.
“The dream is that some of these streets will become unnecessary and we will have long linear parks,” she said. “We understand driving is part of life and we all do it, we also believe there’s a necessity to walk more, bike more, and get outdoors more.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 19, 2008. Read the original PDF.