Centennial Ideations - Josh Isaacson

(inter)Action: One of the original ideas of Parking Day was to reclaim public space for the community, so I felt that interaction with others should be a central focus of our version, too. I also thought the most successful Parking Day designs were ones that involved games or activities that any passerby could participate in, rather than just limiting the space to the Parking Day activists.

Transit(ion): I picked this word because we are using this PARK(ing) Day activity to encourage use of alternative forms of transportation. In that sense, we are attempting to bring about a transition toward a greener campus. The word “transit” is also at its root, which reminds us of commuting and mirrors the type of word play in PARK(ing) Day.

Things a park should have: Benches, Grills, and climbable trees.

A Google sketchup concept for the area near the Café Rosso. It has a ring toss game and checkers to facilitate interaction and help build a sense of community.

Kate Collett: Three Words

Replenish/Refuel
Connect

I chose my words based on what parks mean to myself and to others. I always think of parks as a place to replenish/refuel yourself. This could be spiritual (aka emotional and mental), through relaxation, meditation, or reconnecting with nature, etc. It could also be health-related, as in refueling with something to eat, getting fresh air, or taking a nap. I think of parks as a place where people can step outside of the stress of daily life and replenish or refuel themselves in some way. Also, people use parks to connect with one another, through talking, playing, having a picnic, walking the dog, etc. By creating a space where people can enjoy an activity or relax for a length of time, parks enable people to connect with others rather than just rushing by on their way to a destination.

I also considered that my group’s space on Centennial Drive will be near the farmer’s market. This made me think of community gardening in parks/urban spaces, which allows people to connect with others and replenish themselves through working outdoors and consuming healthy organic food. As shipping food long distances creates a lot of emissions, growing or buying locally might also be a thought to consider for PARK(ing) Day.