Yellowknife joins global Park(ing) Day

A group in Yellowknife transformed metered parking spots in the downtown core intopublic spaces Friday.

Itwaspart of Park(ing) Day, a global event that was first created in 2005 by Rebar,an art and design studio in San Francisco. Ittransformed a parking space into a park with grass, a bench, a treeand a fence.

The idea was to call attention to the need for more open spaces in city centres.

"The planning strategiesthat have led to traffic congestion, pollution and poor health in cities everywhere do not reflectcontemporary values, nor are they sustainable," said Rebar's MatthewPassmore, in a press release.

"Park(ing) Day raises these issues anddemonstrates that even temporary projects can improve the character andquality of the city.

The idea of a "public space" has transformed over the years, and now people are using the metered parking spaces to showcase art, hold political seminars and even holdfree health clinics.

Repurposing urban spaces

Park(ing) Day took place between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on49th St. between Franklin Avenue and49thAvenue.

The event wasco-ordinated by l'Association Franco-Culturelle de Yellowknife, the Artist Run Community Centre and the City of Yellowknife.

Park(ing) Day is a unique opportunity to both enhance the vibrancy of the downtown, while also promoting art and cultural initiatives in Yellowknife," said Mayor Mark Heyck in a news release.

So far, more than 160 cities in 35 countries have participated in the eventaround the world.