One of the most important forms of public space in a city is the park. Working in collaboration with the Near Westside Initiative and students from architecture schools across the northeastern United States, The Front transformed an empty parking lot into a temporary ‘Flash Park’ on Wyoming Street. Located across from PEACE Inc. Family Resource Center the Flash Park became a place of play and relaxation in a neighborhood in flux.

The design was intended to create an asset for the neighborhood and become a symbol for a future park planned for the site. The Flash Park took two days to build, had an eight month lifespan and cost less than $500. In the spring of 2011 the park was dismantled and redistributed throughout the neighborhood, resodding vacant lots and create an art park on Tully Street.

The Flash Park quickly became part of the neighborhood. After it was dismantled several community stakeholders have proposed a collaboration to install another temporary park on the site.

Near Westside Flash Park
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The Front is also a place for students to realize their projects which engage in the city. We assisted several students who wanted to participate in PARK[ing] Day, an annual national event in which parking spaces are transformed into vibrant green spaces. The goal of the event is to demonstrate how cities can be used differently and inspire people to think about the urban environment in a different way.

Students joined two dozen other teams and built a park of decking, benches, plants and sod on South Salina Street next to Armory Square. Providing financial and logistical support The Front enabled the team to realize their project and help them create a conversation with the everyday users of the city. this project was completed in collaboration with Gabriella Morrone.

PARK(ing) Day 2010
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