GSD students participated in national Park(ing) Day on September 21st by transforming a parking spot near the GSD into a miniature park. Students created the temporary open space by bringing plants and seating to an empty parking spot on Cambridge Street. Many members of the GSD and Harvard communities visited, played music, talked and ate ice cream at the park.
Melissa Jones (MUP ’13), one of the organizers of the event, said, “Park(ing) Day was a great success—the park was almost always full of people. We had a lot of students from the GSD, as well as staff and students from the CGIS building, come to eat lunch, read, and hang out. It was great because our park engaged people in the community – people who were walking down the street or passing in their cars stopped by to see what was happening, talk with other people in the park, and enjoy the free ice cream. “
Harvard Urban Planning Organization sponsored the event. HUPO is a vehicle for urban planning students to engage professionals, academics, community organizations, city governments and other students in working to improve cities. The event was one of many planning-related lectures, forums, social gatherings and activities on the HUPO calendar.
Photo: Philip Baker