On September 19, a handful of metered parking spaces in downtown Tampa will take on a different purpose. Instead of cars, you’ll find car parts, art and musicians.
As part of National Park(ing) Day,
Urban Conga, a group of local creatives who promote community awareness through the use of play, will be taking over random parking spaces and turning them into parks. The goal is to encourage less driving and more walkability in the downtown area.
National Park(ing) Day is a worldwide event that began in 2005 by Rebar, a San Francisco-based art and design studio. The idea is for artists and activists to create debate about how urban space is allocated by transforming parking spaces into temporary public spaces. The event is now a global movement, with 162 cities in 35 countries expected to participate this year.
Urban Conga collaborated with
University of South Florida art student Maeghann Coleman to design the spaces in downtown Tampa. The music-themed area will feature old tires and other car parts that can be used to make music, as well as a musical bench with piano keys. Jazz musicians from USF will also participate.
"It’s the idea of tactical urbanism," says Ryan Swanson, co-founder of Urban Conga. "We want to bring people there, not only to hang out but also to play."
The Florida chapter of the
American Institute of Architects (AIA Florida) recently ran a statewide parklet competition, in which Urban Conga received second place for their design. The $1200 prize will be used to fund the project.
The City of Tampa is also supporting the project through the allocation of the parking spaces for the day.
Urban Conga is also promoting collaboration by asking people to send in pictures of what they’re doing in their areas.
Writer:
Megan Hendricks
Source: Ryan Swanson, Urban Conga
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