Green Action Centre joined the Manitoba Professional Planners Institute (MPPI), Architects Without Borders Canada, Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects, Professional Interior Designers Institute of Manitoba, and the University of Winnipeg to re-imagine uses for parking space in Winnipeg. For one day, we converted parking spots in downtown Winnipeg into whimsical spaces that caught the eye and minds of passing pedestrians, motorists and cyclists.
Brian Barkely from CJOB tries his hand at fishing (Photo: Green Action Centre by permission)
For our spot, Green Action Centre set up a “fishing” hole complete with our fish pond (actually, four recycling bins that proved quite seaworthy once the holes were taped over at the bottom), lawn chairs and crank radio. Passersby stopped to catch a fish or two (okay, pipe cleaners in the shape of fish) and learn more about PARK(ing) Day and how we might make better use of the 25% of land that is used, on average, in most cities for parking.
One fellow visiting from Red Deer, Alberta, noted that their city had converted 20 downtown parking spots to parklets. These little oases mostly consist of nice benches and potted plants. Perfect spots for soaking in some sunshine, chatting with a friend or just watching people go by. Perhaps in Winnipeg next year?
I was lucky enough to catch (and photograph) 3 of the spots – but your spot was gone by the time we got there (about 12:30p.m.) – was the rain and hail too much?
You’re absolutely right, Maureen! The hail and torrential winds hit about 12:45 pm. We gathered up in a hurry as things were flying everywhere. Too bad we didn’t have this Friday’s forecasted weather!
A neat idea from Toronto involved reclaiming two lanes of traffic and creating a park like space with art installations along their main street, Yonge St., for a month this summer – http://www.celebrateyonge.com/about.html Maybe another possibility for Portage!
That’s a great idea. I found some photos here: http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2012/08/celebrate-yonge-gives-pedestrians-more-torontos-main-street
Also, Halifax extends their sidewalks downtown for the summer season to allow more space for outdoor patios and seating. Seems like something that we could do here: http://www.upmagazine.com/story/article/best-patios-halifax These pics show even better how they extend the sidewalk in summer: http://pricetags.wordpress.com/2007/10/04/fine-dining-in-halifax/