On September 21st in cities around the globe, artists, activists and citizens will temporarily transform metered parking spaces into public parks and other social spaces, as part of an annual event called "PARK(ing) Day."

Originally invented in 2005 by Rebar, a San Francisco-based art and design studio, PARK(ing) Day challenges people to rethink the way streets are used and reinforces the need for broad-based changes to urban infrastructure. "In urban centers around the world, inexpensive curbside parking results in increased traffic, wasted fuel and more pollution," says Rebar's Matthew Passmore. "The planning strategies that generated these conditions are not sustainable, nor do they promote a healthy, vibrant human habitat. PARK(ing) Day is about re-imagining the possibilities of the urban landscape."

Locally, Aaron Williams with SAA Design Group, a Madison based landscape architecture, engineering, and planning firm, will transform a prominent isthmus parking location (100 Block of MLK Boulevard) into an urban oasis for the Madison Arts Commission's Blink temporary art program. The park will be equal parts provocation, art and civic function while challenging the notion of ‘artificiality' in the landscape. PARK(ing) Day will allow for a truly honest gesture of civic engagement and creative expression while stimulating thought regarding the value of our civic spaces.

Since 2005, the project has blossomed into a worldwide grassroots movement: PARK(ing) Day 2010 included more than 800 "PARK" installations in more than 180 cities in 30 countries on six continents. This year, the project continues to expand to urban centers across the globe.

PARK(ing) Day is an "open-source" user-generated invention created by independent groups around the globe who adapt the project to champion creative, social or political causes that are relevant to their local urban conditions. More information regarding local PARK(ing) Day activities can be found at http://my.parkingday.org/profile/SAA and a global map of all participating cities are available on the PARK(ing) Day website, at parkingday.org.

BLINK is an opportunity for experimental, ad-hoc, temporary works of art to sprout up throughout the community and vanish leaving residents and visitors eager to see what is next. Madison neighborhoods and urban areas are open canvases. The possibilities for creations on open spaces, construction sites, and public parks will provide a glimpse of how the world looks through an artist's eyes. The next Blink application deadline is October 1, 2012.

About SAA (www.saa-madison.com). As professionals committed to innovative practices of landscape architecture, planning and engineering for over 25 years we strive to provide clients with a uniquely collaborative team that identifies comprehensive and holistic project solutions ranging from public parks to urban development planning.

About Rebar (www.rebargroup.org). Founded in 2004 in San Francisco, Rebar is an internationally recognized art and design studio operating at the intersection of art, design and ecology.