In Hundreds Of Cities, Parking Spaces Become Parks

(AP) Activists across the nation parked themselves curbside Friday, taking up spaces reserved for cars and transforming them into mini parks with sod, potted plants, lawn chairs and even barbecues to raise awareness about how the auto has won the battle over public space in big cities.

On a busy street in Los Angeles, a neighborhood association took up seven parking spots and set up a hangout with a grill, a kiddie pool and a gardening workshop to teach people how to grow drought-tolerant plants. In Chicago, an architecture firm turned two parking spaces into a pit stop where bicyclists can chill out on a grassy knoll and refuel on drinks and snacks. In New York City, theater students from Fordham University staged a "Shakespeare in the Parking Spot" festival.

"Parking enforcement is well aware of what we're doing and they look the other way," said Alfredo Hernandez, who has staged mini parks in Los Angeles for three years.

But just in case, he said he keeps plenty of coins in his pocket to feed the meter.



In Hundreds Of Cities, Parking Spaces Become Parks