Pop-up parks focus on open space

Events are scheduled for today in West Chester, Coatesville and Phoenixville

Businesses in West Chester and Coatesville, Phoenixville and Norristown are taking over parking spaces today to celebrate International Park(ing) Day. Celebrated worldwide and across the United States since 2005, Park(ing) Day is a day to raise awareness for more open space in towns.

Park(ing) Day highlights what a parking space could be used for if fewer cars were in town, according to a press release from The Transportation Management Association of Chester County, a local organization advocating for the improvement of transportation infrastructure and the inclusion of alternative transportation options.

“What if people used public transportation more or carpooled,” said Transportation Management Association of Chester County Executive Director, Tim Phelps. “If more people used these amenities we could use parking spaces for something different, a sound place for people to enjoy. Park(ing) Day is a way to help towns rethink their use of space and start integrating more alternative forms of transportation into their community.”

West Chester will host a popup park on the northwest corner of Walnut and Gay streets today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce will partner with The Fence Authority, Kati Mac Florist, Brandywine Ace Pet and Farm,

JHL Lawn and Landscape, Kildare’s Irish Pub and Tom Comitta and Associates to create a fun picnic spot/ lemonade stand.

Carolyn Comitta, vice president and CFO of Thomas Comitta Associates and mayor of West Chester, said she is dedicated to the cause.

“Park(ing) Day is a fun way to raise awareness and celebrate our urban centers while underscoring the key role green spaces play in the vibrancy and health of our communities,” she said in a release.

In Coatesville, a park will appear in front of Fuel City Café, 247 E. Lincoln Highway today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce will partner with Fuel City Café, Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance and the Coatesville Area Public Library to create a fun “Day at the Beach.” Visitors can grab a book donated by the Coatesville Area Public Library, stick their feet in the sand and relax in a chair under the sun.

Nicole Catanese and David Long, owners of Fuel City Café, said they are always looking for ways to give back to the community.

“Since we opened our doors, we’ve had tremendous support from the community,” said Catanese in the release. “We’re excited to partner with TMACC to give the people of Coatesville a park to relax in for the day.”

In Phoenixville, KMS Design Group LLC is partnering with Meliora Design to create an interactive park for all ages in front of its office at 243 Bridge St. today.

“We are involved because the focus of our company is on the design of exterior spaces — we work with parks and streetscapes. This kind of opportunity is a great way to get the word out to the public about urban public spaces,” said Adam Supplee, principal, KMS Design Group in an interview, adding that this is the first year KMS Design has participated.

Supplee said the pop-up public park is designed for all ages, and there will be opportunities to discuss storm water management and land planning. There will also be games — including a life-size crossword puzzle — balloon animals, places to relax and a water fountain.

KMS Design Group is a Landscape Architecture Firm that provides landscape architecture and planning services to public, non-profit and private clients, according to the firm’s website. The firm’s philosophy is to design places that “encourage people to interact with and enjoy nature while protecting the resources that nurture everyone.”

Meliora Design, located at 259 Morgan Street in Phoenixville, is a civil engineering firm specializing in sustainable site design and water resources planning.

“We want people to realize the importance of urban open space,” Supplee added. “Park(ing) Day has been going on for several years. We’re joining in to make it into something that happens every year,”

The Transportation Management Association of Chester County is a 501(c) (4) nonprofit corporation established in 1991 to promote, educate, and provide transportation solutions for private industry and nonprofit organizations. For more information about Park(ing) Day visit www. tmacc.org.