Susan Gonzalez, landscape architecture graduate student, extracts bluebonnet seeds during Park(ing) Day on Sept. 19 on South Nedderman Drive. Gonzalez made packets of seeds for people to plant native plants in their yards.
Photo by Samarie Goffney
A small parking lot in front of The Commons was transformed into an interactive space Friday for Park(ing) Day. The event featured pop-up booths from student architecture organizations to educate passersby on its mission: reimagining cities with people in mind — not cars.
The concept of the event began in 2005 when a design group based in San Francisco took the initiative to turn a parking space into a small public park. Following their example, cities around the world host Park(ing) Day annually.
Organizations at the event offered a variety of activities, including large communal coloring pages and build-your-own keychain tables. Fresh elotes and Jarritos were available for purchase as well.
Architecture junior Daisy Jaimes-Mattox, left, and architecture senior Juan Posada make beaded plants during Park(ing) Day on Sept. 19 on South Nedderman Drive. They also had sun catchers and keychains for attendees to make.
Photo by Samarie Goffney
Walkable Arlington, a student-led grassroots organization, set up a board where students could share their ideas for alternatives to parking spaces. Responses included proposals such as interactive art exhibits, more vibrant nightlife, and a call for more trees and native plants.
“I just wanted to see people’s imagination, see what they want to see more of,” said Kayli Nauls, sustainable urban design major and Walkable Arlington member.
Hunter Lynch, landscape architecture graduate student and UTA Student American Society of Landscape Architects president, helped run the organization’s booth selling plants and distributing wildflower seeds.
Architecture senior Addie Nowak colors in a flower mandala during Park(ing) Day on Sept. 19 on South Nedderman Drive. The event was held for students to reimagine what parking spaces could be used for.
Photo by Samarie Goffney
“I think it’s been very successful,” he said. “The idea is that you catch people as they’re walking, and their eyes are just drawn to ‘Hey, what’s going on over here?'”
The Interior Design Student Group provided visitors with the option to make fresh flower vases out of recycled cardboard.
“A lot of students have come by and just been engaged and involved, and we’re trying to make sure that people know what Park(ing) Day is,” said Jennifer Rojas, Interior Design Student Group external affairs president.
Interior design junior Lizbeth Velasquez, right, points at a cardboard flower vase interior design junior Melanie Requejo made during Park(ing) Day on Sept. 19 on South Nedderman Drive. Requejo made a charm and a flower for her mother.
Photo by Samarie Goffney
Lynch said the biggest takeaway for those who came to the event is the reimagining of parking spaces.
“They can be comfortable spaces like this where people are able to hang out, play music, have food and really just begin to start that conversation,” he said.
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