PARK it Like it's Hot.

It usually happens in September, but it seems like Park(ing) has become permanent in front of one San Francisco coffee/bike shop. A local San Francisco art/design/activist group called ReBar started Park(ing) Day in 2005, and for one day they 'rented' a parking space, and turned it into a park. This little parklet helped show the unbalance of open space in an urban area, as well as reclaim the space dedicated to cars and transformed it into a space that can be enjoyed by everyone. As Park(ing) Day gained popularity each year, it spread not only throughout the city, but across the nation.

A few weeks ago I stopped into Mojo Bicycle Cafe for some coffee and found construction going in front. As it turned out, the City of San Francisco had approached Mojo about reserving two parking spaces in front of the cafe that could be used for bicycle parking and more tables. Although the Panhandle, (a Central Park like strip in SF), is located just around the corner, Divizadero is a busy four lane thorough fare with an industrial feel. It might have been raining during construction of this project, but the sun sure came out for the cutting of the bow.


If you're feelin' like you need a little bit more you can find it:
HERE
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HERE



Mojo Bicycle Cafe

The following Saturday, I get off BART to go to work, and found another Park(ing) Day parklet outside of a coffee shop in Oakland.! Now imagine the amount of open space we'd have when Starbucks jumps on the bandwagon...