Celebrating 10 Years of PARK(ing) Day Nashville

While people experiencing homelessness once carved out a safe existence in Nashville's public spaces, on July 1st a law was passed that means camping in public spaces now holds the looming threat of arrest and a felony charge. Where are people supposed to go now to feel safe? Consider how many parking spaces and parking lots that don't allow cars to park overnight — there is so much unused space from the hours where most Nashvillians can retreat to their homes. What is your design solution that also centers dignity? This year, EOA had the pleasure of partnering with Open Table for Nashville's PARK(ing) Day. The mission of PARK(ing) Day 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 human habitat. Since Rebar, a design studio in San Francisco kicked off the event in 2005, PARK(ing) Day has evolved into a global movement, with organizations and individuals following an established set of guidlines to create new forms of public space in communities around the world.