
16 September 2009
Two parking spots in Smith Street, Fitzroy, will be temporarily transformed into a park this Friday, as Yarra City Council participates for the first time in PARK(ing) day.
Yarra Mayor Cr Amanda Stone said the park, which would be installed near the intersection of Smith and Johnston Streets, would include trees in planter boxes, park benches, a bicycle rack and instant turf.
Cr Stone said Council was excited about being involved in the annual one-day global event instigated by a San Francisco art and design studio in 2005.
“PARK(ing) day is all about re-imagining the possibilities of a dense urban environment such as Yarra,” Cr Stone said.
“So much of our public space is devoted to cars, which bring with them pollution and congestion,” she said.
“We want to challenge people’s ideas about what our public space is used for – seeing people enjoying themselves in a park in the middle of a parking strip will certainly do that.”
Cr Stone said while the park was temporary, Council’s determination to increase open space in the municipality was not.
“We have as one of our goals to create five new parks in Yarra within the next four years,” she said.
“We are making good progress, having recently opened up Victoria Park and getting positive responses to our proposal to convert a car park in Peel Street, Collingwood, into a park.”
Cr Stone said businesses adjacent to the temporary park in Smith Street had been consulted about the activity, and had no objections.
The PARK(ing) day activity will be held outside Bebida Café, 325 Smith Street, Fitzroy on Friday 18 September, from 8am-2pm.
Further informationFor media enquiries about this issue, please contact:
Ainslie Gowan
Coordinator Communications and Public Relations
Richmond Town Hall
333 Bridge Road Richmond
Telephone 9205 5177, 0400 933 700
Email ainslie.gowan@yarracity.vic.gov.au
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