International Park[ing] Day To Be Celebrated

International Park[ing] Day will be celebrated on Friday, 19 September and for the second year in a row Bermuda is participating.

A spokesperson said, “Park[ing] Day is an annual event, begun in San Francisco nine years ago, where parking spaces are taken over and converted to alternative uses. The first Park[ing] Day featured a single parking spot and by 2011 this global movement encompassed 975 parks in 162 cities across 35 countries and six continents.

“The event is designed to expand the public spaces in a city and the alternatives can range from mini-parks to play areas to spots of respite in the middle of a busy day.

“The Department of Planning and the City of Hamilton have joined forces and invited artists, musicians, businesses and community groups to use their imagination and create alternative visions for selected car parking spaces in the City for one day. Two parkettes will remain in place for an entire week with various activities and artists during that time.

Minister of Home Affairs, Sen. Michael Fahy said, “I am delighted Bermuda is participating in Park[ing] Day again this year. The energy created by these temporary parks is incredible. This event highlights what can be possible in even the smallest of public spaces and encourages us to consider the impact of cars.”

This is a joint project of Department of Planning and City of Hamilton. Mayor of Hamilton, Graeme Outerbridge said, “The Council wants to encourage people to walk around the City and enjoy the improved pedestrian spaces this Friday. We are delighted that community organisations and businesses have come together to make this an exciting introduction to the possibilities of a city with more public spaces.”

This year’s Park[ing] Day has expanded from last year and includes sixteen parking spaces on Reid Street and two parking spaces on Court Street.

Participants and sponsors include: Chewstick, Jamaican Grill, Economic Empowered Zones Agency, John Holdipp III, Steel Pan Specialist Robert Symons, Bermuda College, Gibbons Company, Seed Savers, Transition Bermuda, Artist Emma Ingham with the Bermuda Society of Arts, Washington Properties [Bermuda] Limited, Sousa’s Landscaping, La Trattoria, Eye 4 Design, Bermy Berry Frozen Yogurt, The Phoenix Store, The Greenhouse Bermuda and the list keeps growing.

#CorporationOfHamilton #PARK[ing]Day

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