Long Beach Urban Takes Green to the Streets

Urban spaces were transformed into mini-parks, abstract versions of greenery and gathering spots that would attract people to their need for more outdoors areas in the 4th Street/Retro Row corridor Friday for this year’s annual global PARK(ing) Day event.

PARK(ing) Day is an annual global event where citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform metered parking spaces into “PARK(ing)” spaces, or temporary public places. The mission is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban life. This year’s outreach expanded to include 4th street and across town including downtown, Cal State Long Beach, Bixby Knolls and in the East Village.

Some of the event highlights included a sustainable learning center in the Edsel lot at 4th and Cherry; lush park-like settings with an outside reading room and dining area out front of merchants at 2226 E. 4th and Number Nine, 2118 E; and an afternoon music concert hosted by Fingerprints Records and Berlin by Portfolio at 4th and Elm. A good time, as evidenced in our photos, was had by all.