ReadysetDC A CREATIVE URBAN ENTERPRISE

PARK(ing) Day DC 2009: Success!

Despite a last minute venue change due to a obfuscated public space permitting process (and perhaps our overly optimistic idea that the DC government might want to be included in an important, international event), PARK(ing) Day DC was an unequivocal success.

Friday morning at the crack of dawn, Justin, Brandon and I shleped out to to Chantilly, VA to pick up 400 sq feet of sod. This didn’t sound like that much until we got there and found out how heavy each roll was.  Turns out 400 sq feet of sod weighs about 1,500 lbs! We drove our lowriding Zipcar truck (Ziptruck?) back to DC, hoping not to hit a bump and launch our park in the middle of the Dulles Toll Road.  A few twists and turns later, we were back in the District.

Pulling into the Garden District parking lot, we were greeting by volunteers as well as reporters and camera crews from America.gov and NBC 4.  With a little teamwork, the sod was quickly laid down.  We set up some plants and patio furniture (thanks Garden District!), blankets, games, and a bitchin’ badminton set. The whole thing took maybe 30 minutes, and looked pretty awesome.

After a couple interviews, it was time to unwind and enjoy our new park.  We greeted passersby on 14th street with snacks, flyers explaining the event, and an invitation to come hang out and relax. Some reactions were truly priceless…double takes, people stopping and staring, etc.  Early on, a driver pulled his SUV up, unrolled his window, snapped a couple of pics on his phone, and drove away.  Others took us up on the invitation to use the park, staying for lunch or letting their dogs roam.  Some people were new to the PARK(ing) Day concept while others were already aware of it and purposely sought out the park to see for themselves. Reactions ranged from amused to enthusiastic.  We didn’t get a single negative reaction.

At one point, a group of children on their way home from school stopped by and played some badminton. One boy explained that “there’s no parks in the neighborhood.” I think I speak for us all when I say that upon hearing this and seeing how much fun the kids were having, we felt we had accomplished our mission.

The weather turned out to be perfect, and our park maintained a solid crowd the whole time. As day turned to night, nearby clothing shop Redeem lent us some Christmas lights to give the park a little mood lighting.  We finally broke everything down around 9pm with the help of our volunteers.  Afterwards, the only evidence of the day’s activities that remained were the chalk drawings on the sidewalk.

Things really could not have gone better.  We’re already thinking of ideas for next year. Expect a bigger, better, more widespread PARK(ing) Day, with a few big surprises.

After the jump, FIVE videos, thanks to Nikolas Schiller!

PARK(ing) Day DC 2009 (1 of 5) from ReadysetDC on Vimeo.

PARK(ing) Day DC 2009 (2 of 5) from ReadysetDC on Vimeo.

PARK(ing) Day DC 2009 (3 of 5) from ReadysetDC on Vimeo.

PARK(ing) Day DC 2009 (4 of 5) from ReadysetDC on Vimeo.

PARK(ing) Day DC 2009 (5 of 5) from ReadysetDC on Vimeo.