Sustainable Fort Greene took the high road to reclaiming the neighborhood from motorists by transforming a parking spot into an outdoor playpen.
Members of the grassroots group Habana Works turned a concrete, metered space at the intersection of South Portland and Fulton streets into a mini-park, complete with grass, plants, seating and kid-friendly activities, as part of “Park(ing) Day.”
Mom, dad and the kids were among those who spent the day relaxing, listening to live music, decorating the space with recycled art and enjoying a cornucopia of other special activities.
The one-day global call, centered in San Francisco, encouraged artists, activist and citizens to collaborate and turn metered parking spots into short-term public spaces.
The “Fort Greene Park” was one of 50 citywide sites selected for the one-day makeover, whose organizers hope to generate “innovative, proof-of-concept designs” into permanent public areas in available urban spaces.
“Everyone who visited our spot brought a spark and came away with a new idea about what could happen at the curb,” said a Habana Works spokesperson.
