assignment 2- PARK(ing) day

This past Friday, September 17th, our class finally put all of our planning into action to celebrate PARK(ing) Day!  Three classes of planning went into brainstorming and preparing our parking space.  Everything from ground covering, to boundaries, to theme, and even activities were considered in making our space count.  After some debate, we decided that chalk ground covering, balloon walls, and a relaxation theme would be best.  Our class agreed to play twister and do henna for PARK(ing) Day activities, as well as leave the chalk out for fun.  The last class before the big day, we broke into smaller groups to create signs for the event, and execute the final specific plans. 

I arrived at our space in front of 135 Marshall Street at 1 o'clock, eager to see the final product of our efforts.  The parking space we had was huge!  There was a lot going on; balloons everywhere, a cardboard sculpture with signatures all over, a table for henna, several chairs, and activities like twister in the corner.  Although I was an advocate for the balloon boundaries, the balloons were actually quite annoying when I sat in the space.  The wind blew them all over so that they became tangled with each other and everything around them.  Despite how annoying they were, they did attract attention.

Most people who walked by approached me and Bridget asking what exactly is was that we were doing.  We explained PARK(ing) Day as a day to reclaim public space outside and transform the area into a miniature park.  For the most part, they still looked confused and didn't understand after the explanation as to why we were there.  A few times, cars on the street looking for a parking space would stop, and one guy flipped me off after I explained I wasn't moving.  No one was interested in the henna or twister (besides me!), but several people signed the sculpture.  My shift went fairly quickly, and overall I considered it a very successful day!