Park(ing) Day on the Upper West Side

Here at 113th and Broadway, the curb is normally used to house an empty car. After being transformed by a team of Columbia planning students, however, it could provide a downright luxurious living space for normally-cramped students. The makeshift dorm room had two walls, a TV and cabinet space, a four-poster bed and, on the table, a copy of The High Cost of Free Parking.

A few blocks further north, another group of Columbia students offered any passerby a free smoothie, with the blender powered by bike. Just to the right of the blender was a fully sodded seating area, in heavy use.

Completing the Morningside Heights trio of Park(ing) Day sites was this tent, with free baked goods, music, and a piñata, set up by Barnard’s EcoReps. Not only did students walking by stop to chat, it appeared to be a popular spot to get some homework done.

A younger crowd enjoyed this Park(ing) space at 95th and Columbus, across from the Upper West Side’s new protected bike lane. With a train set and coloring supplies, kids could design what they’d like to see their neighborhood look like. In the spirit of Park(ing) Day, the expansion of play streets was one prominent request.