Oh, little on-street parking space in front of the store. We’re turning you into a temporary bike corral as part of Cincinnati PARK[ing] Day Friday, Sept. 18. The deal is that bike commuters park inside your white lines in front of Park + Vine and get a free cup of locally-roasted coffee. No bike? Stop by anyway.

Cincinnati PARK[ing] Day is a one-day, global event where artists, activists, and citizens collaborate to temporarily transform parking spots into public parks and alternative public spaces. It’s open to the public and fun. San Francisco-based REBAR created the first PARK[ing] Day in 2005 as a way to re-imagine the potential of the metered parking space. In 2006, it went global and Cincinnati was right there with the rest of the world.

Here are the local PARK[ing] spots that we know about as of Sept. 17:

City Roots
1133 Vine St. between Central and 12th
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
OTR’s own urban garden shop will have a green space set up for your enjoyment

Park+Vine
1109 Vine St. between Central and 12th
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ride your bike to Park + Vine and enjoy a free cup of coffee

Segway of Cincinnati
1150 Vine St. at Central Parkway
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cincinnati’s only Segway store will have Segways, of course

Tucker’s Restaurant
1637 Vine St. between Liberty and Green
2:30 to 4 p.m.
Enjoy outdoor dining in a Park[ing] space, chalk art by Alan, and live music by Chris and Chico of Lagniappe

Planning is underway for the second annual Cincinnati PARK[ing] Day Sept. 19, 2008:

CALL TO CITIZENS

“Cincinnati PARK[ing] Day” call for entries (Posted: Aug. 6, 2008) — Cincinnati PARK[ing] Day announces a call to citizens for the second annual “Cincinnati PARK[ing]” to be held Sept. 19, 2008 in parking spaces around Cincinnati. This is a one-day, global event in which artists, activists, and citizens collaborate to temporarily transform parking spots into public parks and alternative public spaces. Parking spaces show the fundamental elements of a good outdoor public space and may include seating, shade, and a place to watch people, exchange information, and view scenery. Each parking spot can be transformed into a park, playground, puppet show, or whatever you like.

This event is open to the public. There is no entry fee. There are no commissions. We’re looking to hear from interested parties before Sept. 5, 2008 so that we can start lining up parking spaces, organizing materials and advising the community of our ambitious intentions.

For more information, visit:

Cincinnati PARK(ing) Day MySpace page
Cincinnati PARK(ing) Day Blog

Contact us:

cincinnatiparkingday[at]gmail[dot]com