Seattle PARK(ing) Day Spaces Celebrate Urban Agriculture

PARK(ing) Day is a worldwide event where artists, activists, and citizens convert cement-covered metered parking spots into lush, temporary public parks filled with potted plants, art galleries, and other fun spaces for people to enjoy. This year the festivities will occur next Friday, September 17.

Though participants come up with a variety of creative ideas for transforming their spaces on PARK(ing) Day, Seattle’s Department of Transportation (SDOT) plans to put an urban ag spin on their parking spaces. To coincide with the declared “Year of Urban Agriculture,” three parking spaces designated for the city will be transformed into mini-urban farms (complete with edible plants and a Kippen House chicken coop!), and people will be dispensing tips on gardening in planting strips.

Not only will this provide an opportunity to learn more about how agriculture can be integrated into the city, it’s also a chance to meet others interested in creating a more livable urban setting by integrating food production. Allison Schwartz, the organizer for SDOT’s PARK(ing) Day plans, says the urban agriculture theme was chosen because “it’s an exciting time here in Seattle, with recent code changes and an overall sense of enthusiasm about backyard gardens, urban farms, local growers, and creating community through food. Setting up a park also gives city staff a different opportunity to connect with people on the street, share info on current projects, and get feedback on the work we do.” Staff from SDOT, the Department of Planning and Development, Department of Neighborhoods and others will be at the Columbia Street and 5th Avenue parking spaces throughout the day.

Be sure to check out the action on Friday, September 17!

If you have questions about–or ideas for–the City of Seattle’s urban ag PARK, contact Allison Schwartz at allison.schwartz@seattle.gov or (206) 386-3654.

Related posts:

1. Brown Bag Talk on Urban Agriculture in Seattle
2. Seattle’s Year of Urban Agriculture in Review
3. Urban Agriculture Initiatives Bloom in Seattle City Council 2010 Work Program

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