Rochester sprouts 16 temporary 'parks' on National Park(ing) Day Friday, Sept. 19

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — George Eastman House and Rochester Contemporary Art Center are joining dozens of other cities around the country and world for 2008 NATIONAL PARK(ING) DAY Friday, Sept. 19. Sponsored and organized by the national Trust for Public Land, National Park(ing) Day is an annual event that illuminates the importance of parks and green space by creating temporary parks in public parking spaces. Last year, National Park(ing) Day spawned more than 200 temporary parks in more than 50 cities nationwide and around the world.

A total of 16 parking spaces, created by eight organizations will become temporary parks in Rochester on Friday — along East Avenue, University Avenue, Fitzhugh Street, Church Street, and in the George Eastman House parking lot. All Park(ing) Day parks will be open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Participating organizations and locations:

George Eastman House parking lot 900 East Ave. (6 parking spaces)

• George Eastman's Working Farm Park — will highlight the history of George Eastman's estate as a working farm
• Ag-tastic Park — will show how much food can grow in the square footage of a parking space
• Bike Parking Park — will demonstrate the efficiency of bicycles in relation to space usage, as well as energy usage
• Hangout Haven Park — will reclaim a parking space for human rest, relaxation, and recreation
• P.L.A.N.T. Park — will introduce the P.L.A.N.T. joint cultural initiative of George Eastman House and Rochester Contemporary Arts Center, being launched in spring 2009
• "Green Parking Park" — demonstration of environmentally friendly parking lot design by Summit Tree and Landscape

Rochester Contemporary Art Center, 137 East Ave.
"Downtown Lounge Park" — a place to rest, recreate, and even grab a bite!

City of Rochester, corner of Fitzhugh and Church streets (4 parking spaces)
"From Pavement to Sustainable Landscape" — will show a timeline of the transformation from pavement to a garden that provides food for people and habitat for wildlife.

Northeast Organic Farming Assoc. of New York, corner of State and Church streets
Organic Farm Park — will feature hay bales for sitting and lounging, chickens, potato digging, and a market stand.

Rochester Roots, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. (in front of Downtown United Presbyterian Church)
Rochester Roots Urban Agriculture Park — will feature produce, baskets, dried herbs, cut flowers, and craft items created by Rochester Roots.

South Wedge Farmer's Market, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. (in front of Downtown United Presbyterian Church)
"Market Park" — will feature the work, products, and local farmers of the South Wedge Farmers Market.

ARTWalk, 784 University Ave
"Beach Street Park" — sand, palm trees, cold drinks!

For more information:
www.eastmanhouse.org/parkingday
www.tpl.org/parkingday

Attention Media: For additional information or high-resolution images, please fill out this form to obtain the address of the Press Room's FTP site.