Brisbane PARK(ing) Day
Prototype PARK
The PARK(ing) Day organisers were invited to set up a PARK for a photoshoot for a local newspaper. We took the opportunity to also record exactly what we did so you can see what it takes to create a PARK.
We call it our Prototype PARK!
PARK Location– Northey Street, Windsor. In the 1 hour parking zone.
PARK Time – Midday – 1pm
PARK Description– a simple, traditional PARK that you can all easily create
Participants –Amy Saunders, Stacey Watson, Gregor Becker and Bec Stephens
Setup time - 15 minutes
Total Parking Time – 30 minutes
Pack up time – 10 minutes
Time waiting after locking the keys in the car – 10 minutes
Strangers that stopped by for a chat-2
Northey Street Farmers that stopped for a chat -8
Items bought – Turf ($60)
Items borrowed – Hay bales, plants of various sizes, chairs and a watering can (from Northey Street) and a rug (TRACT)
Total PARK Cost - $60
All items borrowed were returned to their owners. The turf was used afterward at Northey Street.
Organisation – Last Thursday Amy ordered Turf. She picked it up on Sunday. She had to lay it in her front terrace and water it daily. Wednesday she visited Northey Street City Farm to have a chat. Thursday midday she collected the turf from her house and delivered it to Northey Street when the rest of the group began setting up.
Process – With some help from our Northey Street friends we had two parking spaces available for us. We parked our car in one and then unload the turf to the other. We laid down a plastic sheet and placed the turf on it. We placed haybails, plants and seats, which were all borrowed from Northey Street. We used a picnic rug to cover a hole in the turf. Now for the fun part - sitting, relaxing, chatting, taking photos and video. We then moved all of our borrowed items back, exactly where we found them. And placed the turf where it was needed at Northey Street. We left no trace in the parking space.
Lessons learned:
Big thanks to Northey Street City Farm and the helpers from TRACT!
We call it our Prototype PARK!
PARK Location– Northey Street, Windsor. In the 1 hour parking zone.
PARK Time – Midday – 1pm
PARK Description– a simple, traditional PARK that you can all easily create
Participants –Amy Saunders, Stacey Watson, Gregor Becker and Bec Stephens
Setup time - 15 minutes
Total Parking Time – 30 minutes
Pack up time – 10 minutes
Time waiting after locking the keys in the car – 10 minutes
Strangers that stopped by for a chat-2
Northey Street Farmers that stopped for a chat -8
Items bought – Turf ($60)
Items borrowed – Hay bales, plants of various sizes, chairs and a watering can (from Northey Street) and a rug (TRACT)
Total PARK Cost - $60
All items borrowed were returned to their owners. The turf was used afterward at Northey Street.
Organisation – Last Thursday Amy ordered Turf. She picked it up on Sunday. She had to lay it in her front terrace and water it daily. Wednesday she visited Northey Street City Farm to have a chat. Thursday midday she collected the turf from her house and delivered it to Northey Street when the rest of the group began setting up.
Process – With some help from our Northey Street friends we had two parking spaces available for us. We parked our car in one and then unload the turf to the other. We laid down a plastic sheet and placed the turf on it. We placed haybails, plants and seats, which were all borrowed from Northey Street. We used a picnic rug to cover a hole in the turf. Now for the fun part - sitting, relaxing, chatting, taking photos and video. We then moved all of our borrowed items back, exactly where we found them. And placed the turf where it was needed at Northey Street. We left no trace in the parking space.
Lessons learned:
- A Parking space is bigger than you think
- Don’t lock your keys and everyone else’s keys in the car!
- Turf needs to be ordered at least a week ahead of time. Try and find a supplier that delivers as close to Friday as possible (otherwise you will need to lay your turf out flat on a hard surface, preferable in shade and water it each day). Note. Turf is not a requirement to create a PARK
- Ask to borrow things and people are generally kind enough to help you out
Big thanks to Northey Street City Farm and the helpers from TRACT!
Photos by Stacey Watson
