HOBOKEN TO PARTICIPATE IN PARK(ING) DAY 2010
The City of Hoboken is partnering with the RBA Group, the local consulting firm working on Hoboken's Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, to host PARK(ing) Day in Hoboken on Friday, September 17th. Local volunteers, the NJ Bike Coalition, and area businesses Easy Riders, JC and JenniHoops are participating and contributing to the effort free of charge.
"As we work to create new parks and open spaces at 1600 Park, Hoboken Cove, and under the 14th Street Viaduct, and as we rebuild our crumbling waterfront parks, PARK(ing) Day gives all of us an opportunity to envision, even for just a few hours, how we might be able to bring our community together,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
"Though most of our street space is dedicated almost exclusively to moving and storing private vehicles, the vast majority of trips in Hoboken take place by public transportation, walking, and bicycling,” added Transportation and Parking Director Ian Sacs. “This is a quality of life issue for all residents, but for senior citizens, the disabled, and children in particular, this is also a safety issue."
Two temporary public "parks" will be set up between 9am and 3pm:
1) "Ped Paradise" park (along Newark Street between Washington Street and Court Street) will provide a relaxing spot for pedestrians with seating and reading materials. Community volunteers will involve participants in physical activities such as hula-hooping and jump rope as well as various board games. Local business JenniHoops will be providing custom hula hoops.
2) "Cycle Haven" park (along River Street between Hudson Place and Newark Street) will be for cyclists of all ages and experience levels and will have League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructors on hand to assist cyclists with helmet fits and to perform quick checks on their bikes to ensure they are safe to ride. Additional community volunteers will be manning a "bling" station for cyclists interested in custom decorating their bikes. For those without a bike, Easy Riders, JC, LLC will provide free bike rentals for the day.
Participants of both parks will receive materials related to bicycle and pedestrian safety as well as a map of Hoboken with the location of the temporary parks, bike lanes, bike racks, the Hop Route and other points of interest.
Residents with questions or who are interested in volunteering can email parkingdayhoboken@gmail.com. Hoboken PARK(ing) Day is on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hoboken-Parking-Day/123117397736457. For additional information about PARK(ing) Day, visit http://parkingday.org/.
Link: http://www.hobokennj.org/news/hoboken-to-participate-in-parking-day-2010/ ◦
