Earth Equity News

Park(ing) Day 2009: Battling the Auto over Public Space. By Daisy Nguyen, AP, September 18, 2009. "Activists across the nation parked themselves curbside Friday, taking up spaces reserved for cars and transforming them into mini parks with sod, potted plants, lawn chairs and even barbecues to raise awareness about how the auto has won the battle over public space in big cities... The movement started as a single installation four years ago in San Francisco and has become a worldwide event reaching more than 100 cities on four continents. Matthew Passmore, who helped start Park(ing) Day, said the concept strikes a chord with urban dwellers everywhere because they're dealing with similar issues of traffic congestion and pollution. The temporary parks highlight the fact that curbside parking 'results in increased traffic, wasted fuel and more pollution,' Passmore said."