Here is a draft report of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Park[ing] Day LA 2008 event. This document includes general logistical information and lessons learned about this exciting block party that brought 400 people to our temporary park.

1. URBAN PARK & BLOCK PARTY
EVENT OVERVIEW & LESSONS LEARNED
Park[ing] Day LA 2008
Friday, Sept. 19, 2008

3. Event report compiled by
Ashley Zarella, LEED AP, Assoc. AIA
Director, Area-Wide Work-Force, Private Sector
Gunnar Hand, AICP
Director, Area-Wide Work-Force, Public Sector
Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council 2008-2010
September 2008
Park[ing] Day LA 2008
Table of Contents
With more than 400 people in attendance, this event was a great success. Here is an outline our report
summarizing the first-ever Park[ing] Day LA block party.
Park[ing] Day LA Overview 4
Event Execution Schedule 6
Event Outreach 8
Lessons Learned 12
Appendix A: Event Photos 15
Appendix B: Event Coverage 2
Appendix C: Budget Insurance 45

4. A 20-ft clear drive aisle was maintained per the street closure permit.
Event diagram used for LAFD permit approval.
140’
MAIN STREET
WINSTON STREET
30’
Game at
10:00am
4
1 2 5
3
Set-up at
1. Downtown Neighborhood Council Welcome Table 11:30am
2. Latino Urban Forum Model City
3. Live Art Staging Area
6
4. Dog Park
5. 3-on-3 Basketball Exhibition Game
6. Little Radio/Live Music
20’ drive aisle required for LAFD
Park[ing] Day LA 2008
SCALE: 1” = 10’
4

5. Park[ing] Day LA 2008 Block Party Overview
This was the first-ever Park[ing] Day LA block party. Park[ing] Day is a national grassroots effort to highlight
the need for more open space in our cities by transforming parking spots into small parks. Park[ing] Day
started in San Francisco, CA and has spread nationwide. This is the second time Los Angeles has participated
in the event. The American Institute of Architects Los Angeles Chapter (AIA/LA) started a blog and website to
support Park[ing] Day, provided maps of the parking spots across the city, managed outreach for the day, and
organized an post-event after party at the A+D Museum on Wilshire Boulevard.
Monday, August 4, 2008 Ashley Zarella, LEED AP, Assoc. AIA (Director, Area-Wide Workforce, Private
Sector) introduces Will Wright from the AIA/LA to the Parks, Recreation
Open Space Committee for a brief presentation on the event and
encourage participation of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood
Council.
Gunnar Hand, AICP (Director, Area-Wide Workforce, Public Sector)
volunteer to take on a parking spot on the behalf of the Neighborhood
Council. Henry Proctor (Director, Homeless) and Wendell Blessingame
(Director, Social Services) also volunteered to get involved.
Sunday, August 17, 2008 First planning meeting between Ashley, Gunnar and Henry meet to
discuss the event, scope and walk around the Historic Core to determine
a location. The event quickly balloons in concept from a single parking
space to a parking lot and block party and we identify several parking
lots along Main Street as potential sites.
Friday, August 22, 2008 Permit for street closure initiated (although not issued befo re two weeks
in advance of the event).
Friday, August 29, 2008 Planning meeting at Gilmore Associates to review status of the event
permit, funding (proposed and needed), programming and materials
needed, outreach and promotion.
Thursday, September 4, 2008 Planning meeting with Gilmore Associates, AIA/LA, DMJM Design,
and the Historic Downtown Business Improvement District to review the
event schedule and identify critical issues to be addressed.
Thursday, September 11, 2008 Final planning meeting with Gilmore Associates, Little Radio and the
Historic Downtown Business Improvement District to review the event
schedule and finalize details.
Monday, September 16, 2008 LAPD approves the street closure.
Tuesday, September 17, 2008 LAFD inspector walks the site with Gunnar Hand and gives his approval
of the street closure.
Friday, September 19, 2008 Event Day!
Event photos are posted that evening on Flickr to facilitate event
coverage.
5

6. Friday, September 19, 2008
Park[ing] Day LA 2008
Event Execution Schedule Event Schedule
This information was provided to all parties involved with the execution of the event to allow for verification
and confirmation of the details. We organized a volunteer staff for the set-up and clean-up of the site and also
had additional volunteers available to talk to the public throughout the day at the Community Table.
Volunteers
0pm
0am
0am
pm
pm
pm
pm
pm
am
am
am
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:0
11:0
12:0
1:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
5:00
Task DLANC Other Responsible Party Address/Contact Other Needs
Park[ing] Day 7:00am
PICK-UP: LA 2008 Friday, September 19, 2008
Event Schedule
Ashley Zarella (AZ) @
Donuts - Ralph's AZ DLANC (GH, AZ) pick-up
917-974-1891
PICK-UP: 7:00am-8:00am
Volunteers
0pm
0am
0am
pm
pm
pm
pm
pm
am
am
am
1214 Long Beach Ave
Little Radio astro turf, stage, sound Address/Contact 90021
Los Angeles, CA
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:0
11:0
12:0
1:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
5:00
Task DLANC Other Responsible Party Other Needs
HDBID Multiple trips may be required 7:00
equipment, etc. David @ 310-210-3331
Jimmy @ 310-922-3722
PICK-UP: 7:00am
Drop-off Little Radio materials at Letiticia Orozco @
HDBID 7:30
Winston Street/Main Street 213-479-5385 (AZ) @
Ashley Zarella
Donuts - Ralph's AZ DLANC (GH, AZ) pick-up
917-974-1891 Street
727 S. Spring
Los Angeles, CA 90014
PICK-UP: 7:00am-8:00am
Latino Urban Forum HDBID Contact: James Rojas 8:00
213 922-2451
1214 Long Beach Ave
626 437-4446
Little Radio astro turf, stage, sound Los Angeles, CA 90021
HDBID Multiple trips may be required 7:00
equipment, etc. Urban Forum model at David @Orozco @
Letiticia 310-210-3331
Drop-off Latino
HDBID 8:30
Jimmy @ 310-922-3722
Winston Street/Main Street 213-479-5385
Drop-off Little Radio materials at Letiticia Orozco @
HDBID 7:30
Winston Street/Main Street 213-479-5385
PICK-UP: 8:00am
727 S. Spring Street
Gunnar Josh Los Angeles, CA 90014
Volunteers
Street Barricades (16 total) 1274 W 2nd Street Opens at 8:00am 8:00
0pm
0am
0am
Kenin
pm
pm
pm
pm
pm
am
am
am
Latino Urban Forum HDBID Contact: James Rojas 8:00
213 922-2451
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:0
11:0
12:0
1:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
5:00
Task Responsible Party Address/Contactat
Garage Area of
DLANC Other Other Needs
626 437-4446
131 Bimini Street (if you
Volunteer with truck Trees are 2x3x12 and we hope to
Trees have any trouble, tell
PICK-UP: 7:00am needed have about two trees
Drop-off Latino Urban Forum model at Letiticia Orozco @ made
them arrangements
HDBID 8:30
Winston Street/Main Street 213-479-5385
with Joe)
Ashley Zarella (AZ) @
Donuts - Ralph's AZ DLANC (GH, AZ) pick-up
917-974-1891
SET UP: 8:00am 5 11
PICK-UP: 8:00am
PICK-UP: 7:00am-8:00am
Gunnar Josh
Opens at 8:00ambarricades as
We will need the
Street Barricades (16 total) 1274 W 2nd Street 8:00
8:00am - 5:00pm
Street Closure DLANC (GH, AZ) N/A Long Beach Ave
Kenin 1214 early as possible to close-off street
Little Radio astro turf, stage, sound Los Angeles, CA 90021
Garage Area of at
HDBID Multiple trips may be required 7:00
equipment, etc. DLANC (GH, AZ, 131 Bimini Street (if you
David @ 310-210-3331
Volunteer with truck David @ 310-210-3331 Trees are 2x3x12 and we hope to 8:00am -
Astro-turf WB + 5 Wendell Jimmy @ 310-922-3722
Trees have any trouble, tell 10:00am
Wendell @ 213-622-2712
needed have about two trees
Blessingame) them arrangements made
Drop-off Little Radio materials at Letiticia Orozco @
HDBID 7:30
with Joe)
Winston Street/Main Street 213-479-5385 2 tables, shade, community 8:00am -
Community Table AZ DLANC (GH, AZ) N/A 10:00am
information/flyers
727 S. Spring Street
SET UP: 8:00am 5 11
Los Angeles, CA 90014 8:00am -
3 on 3 basketball 2 Skid Row 3 on 3 OG @ 213-489-3420 10:00am
Latino Urban Forum HDBID Contact: James Rojas 8:00
We will need the barricades as
213 922-2451
Roxanne Steinberg @ 8:00am - 8:00am - 5:00pm
Street Closure DLANC (GH, AZ) N/A
Farm Lab Agbin 1 Farm Lab early as possible to close-off street
626 437-4446 10:00am
310-383-6142
James Rojas @ @
Latino Urban AZ,
DLANC (GH,
Drop-off Latino Urban Forum model at David @Orozco
Letiticia 310-210-3331 8:00am -
8:00am -
HDBID 8:30
Lego City 1 213-922-2451 table, shade
Astro-turf WB + 5 Wendell
Winston Street/Main Street 213-479-5385 10:00am
Forum 10:00am
Wendell @ 213-622-2712
626-437-4446
Blessingame)
Dan Herman @ 8:00am -
2 tables, shade, community 8:00am -
PICK-UP: 8:00am
Parking installation 5 DMJM (GH, AZ) volunteers provided by DMJM
Community Table AZ DLANC N/A 10:00am
310-266-0417 10:00am
information/flyers
Gunnar Josh 8:00am -
8:00am -
Signage AZ DLANC (GH, AZ) N/A W 2nd Street ties for signage
3 on 3 Barricades (16 total)
Street basketball 1274 Opens at 8:00am 8:00
2 Skid Row 3 on 3 OG @ 213-489-3420 10:00am
Kenin 10:00am
AAA Rentals @ at @
Garage Area of
Roxanne Steinberg 8:00am -
Farm Lab Agbin 1 Farm Huizar drop
Jose Lab 818-344-7368 8:00am -
131 Bimini Street (if you 10:00am
310-383-6142
Tables, Chairs AV Equipment 1 Volunteer with truck Trees are 2x3x12 and we hope to 10:00am
off Irantzu Pujadas @
Trees James Rojas @ tell
have any trouble,
needed have about two trees
Latino Urban 213-473-7014 8:00am -
them arrangements made
Lego City 1 213-922-2451 table, shade 10:00am
Forum with Joe)
Letiticia Orozco @ 8:00am -
626-437-4446
Trash and Recycling 1 HDBID/Chrysalis 10:00am
213-479-5385
Dan Herman @ 8:00am -
SET UP: 8:00am 5 11
Parking installation 5 DMJM volunteers provided by DMJM 10:00am
310-266-0417
8:00am -
Signage AZ DLANC (GH, AZ) N/A ties will signage barricades as
We for need the 10:00am 8:00am - 5:00pm
Street Closure DLANC (GH, AZ) N/A
early as possible to close-off street
AAA Rentals @
Jose Huizar drop 818-344-7368
DLANC (GH, AZ, 8:00am -
Tables, Chairs AV Equipment 1 David @ 310-210-3331 8:00am -
10:00am
off Irantzu Pujadas @
Astro-turf WB + 5 Wendell 10:00am
Wendell @ 213-622-2712
213-473-7014
Blessingame)
Letiticia Orozco @ 8:00am -
2 tables, shade, community
Trash and Recycling 1 HDBID/Chrysalis
Community Table AZ DLANC (GH, AZ) N/A 10:00am
213-479-5385 information/flyers
8:00am -
3 on 3 basketball 2 Skid Row 3 on 3 OG @ 213-489-3420 10:00am
Roxanne Steinberg @ 8:00am -
Farm Lab Agbin 1 Farm Lab 10:00am
310-383-6142
James Rojas @
Latino Urban 8:00am -
Lego City 1 213-922-2451 table, shade 10:00am
Forum
626-437-4446
Dan Herman @ 8:00am -
Parking installation 5 DMJM volunteers provided by DMJM 10:00am
310-266-0417
8:00am -
Signage AZ DLANC (GH, AZ) N/A ties for signage 10:00am
Page 1 of 2 9/19/2008
AAA Rentals @
Jose Huizar drop 818-344-7368 8:00am -
Tables, Chairs AV Equipment 1 10:00am
off Irantzu Pujadas @
213-473-7014
Letiticia Orozco @ 8:00am -
Trash and Recycling 1 HDBID/Chrysalis 10:00am
213-479-5385
6
Page 1 of 2 9/19/2008

7. Friday, September 19, 2008
Park[ing] Day LA 2008
Event Schedule
Volunteers
0pm
0am
0am
Gunnar and Ashley opted to split the responsibilities of the event: Ashley was to coordinate the event schedule
pm
pm
pm
pm
pm
am
am
am
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:0
11:0
12:0
1:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
5:00
Task DLANC Other Responsible Party Address/Contact Other Needs
and volunteers for the day while Gunnar managed the event site itself and organized the deliveries and pick-
Lunch for volunteers
EVENTS 10:00am 2 12
up of all materials.
10:00am - 3:00pm
Event
Letiticia Orozco @
Security 2 HDBID 10:00am - 3:00pm
213-479-5385
Friday, September 19, 2008
Park[ing] Day LA 2008
3 on 3 basketball 5 Skid Row 3 on 3 OG @ 213-489-3420 1 table, chairs, A/V Event Schedule
10:00
DLANC (Leslie Ashley Zarella (AZ) @ Community flyers to be provided
Community Table 2 10:00am - 3:00pm
Kathleen) 917-974-1891 (Ashley Zarella)
David @ 310-210-3331
Live Music 2 Little Radio table, shade 10:00am - 3:00pm
Volunteers Jimmy @ 310-922-3722
0pm
0am
0am
pm
pm
pm
pm
pm
am
am
am
Pussy Pooch,
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:0
11:0
12:0
1:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
5:00
Task DLANC Other Responsible Party Address/Contact Other Needs
Laurie Dowling
Dog Park 5 Bark Avenue, table, shade 11:00am - 3:00pm
Henry @ 213-392-2286
Henry Proctor
Lunch for volunteers
EVENTS 10:00am 2 12
Live Art Crewest Alex @ 626-458-2444 table 11:00am - 3:00pm
Introduction by Jan Perry GH/AZ Jan Perry's Office AV 12:30
10:00am - 3:00pm
Event
Pizza Delivery for Volunteers GH/AZ TBC Rocket Pizza @ 1:30
Letiticia Orozco
Security 2 HDBID 10:00am - 3:00pm
213-479-5385
CLEAN-UP 3:00pm 5 6
3 on 3 basketball 5 Skid Row 3 on 3 OG @ 213-489-3420 1 table, chairs, A/V 10:00
DLANC (GH, AZ, Ashley Zarella (AZ) @ 3:00pm -
Sod take down 5 pick-up 5:00pm
WB) 917-974-1891 (AZ) @
DLANC (Leslie Ashley Zarella Community flyers to be provided
Community Table 2 10:00am - 3:00pm
Kathleen) 917-974-1891 (Ashley Zarella)
Roxanne Steinberg @ 3:00pm -
Farm Lab Agbin pick-up 1 Farm Lab pick-up 5:00pm
310-383-6142
David @ 310-210-3331
Live Music 2 Little Radio table, shade 10:00am - 3:00pm
Jimmy @ 310-922-3722
Constancio Abracia 3:00pm -
Street Barricades GH DLANC (GH, AZ) delivery 5:00pm
@ 213-847-6029
Pussy Pooch,
Laurie Dowling
Dog Park 5 Bark Avenue, table, shade 11:00am - 3:00pm
Volunteers 3:00pm -
0pm
0am
0am
N/A @ 213-392-2286
Henry
Signage AZ DLANC (GH, AZ) delivery
pm
pm
pm
pm
pm
am
am
am
Henry Proctor 5:00pm
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:0
11:0
12:0
1:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
5:00
Task DLANC Other Responsible Party Address/Contact Other Needs
Live Art Crewest Alex @ 626-458-2444 table 11:00am - 3:00pm
Letiticia Orozco @ 3:00pm -
Trash and Recycling 1 HDBID pick-up 5:00pm
213-479-5385
Introduction by Jan Perry GH/AZ Jan Perry's Office AV 12:30
PICK-UP: 7:00am Irantzu Pujadas @
Pizza Delivery for Volunteers GH/AZ TBC Rocket Pizza
213-473-7014 1:30 3:00pm -
Jose Huizar pick up Ashley Zarella (AZ) @
Tables, Chairs, AV Equipment 2 5:00pm
Donuts - Ralph's AZ DLANC (GH, AZ) AAA Rentals @ pick-up
917-974-1891
CLEAN-UP 3:00pm 5 6 818-344-7368
Letiticia Orozco @
PICK-UP: 7:00am-8:00am
HDBID (GH, AZ,
DLANC Ashley Zarella (AZ) @ 3:00pm -
Street Sweep 2 4:30
Sod take down 5 pick-up
213-479-5385 5:00pm
WB) 917-974-1891
1214 Long Beach Ave
Roxanne Steinberg @ 3:00pm -
DROP-OFF: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Farm Radio astropick-up
Little Lab Agbin turf, stage, sound Los Angeles, CA 90021
1 Farm Lab pick-up trips may be required
HDBID Multiple 7:00 5:00pm
310-383-6142
equipment, etc. David @ 310-210-3331
Constancio Abracia 3:00pm -
DLANC (GH, AZ) Jimmy @ 310-922-3722
Need weekend Will need to be stored for the
Street Barricades GH delivery 5:00pm
@ 213-847-6029
Street Barricades (16 total) storage place 1274 W 2nd Street weekend until drop-off possible on
Drop-off Little Radio materials at Letiticia Orozco @ 8:00
HDBID 7:30
3:00pm -
means for delivery 213-479-5385 Monday
Winston Street/Main Street
Signage AZ DLANC (GH, AZ) N/A delivery 5:00pm
GarageSpringof at
727 S. Area Street
Letiticia Orozco @ 3:00pm -
131 Angeles, CA 90014
Los Bimini Street (if you
Trash and Recycling 1 HDBID pick-up 5:00pm
213-479-5385
HDBID with truck have anyJames Rojas
Volunteer Trees are 2x3x12 and we hope to
Latino Urban Forum Contact: trouble, tell 8:00
Trees
needed have about two trees
213 922-2451
Irantzu Pujadas @
them arrangements made
626 437-4446
213-473-7014 3:00pm -
Jose Huizar pick up with Joe)
Tables, Chairs, AV Equipment 2 5:00pm
AAA Rentals @
Drop-off Latino Urban Forum model at Letiticia Orozco @
818-344-7368
HDBID 8:30
PICK-UP: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Winston Street/Main Street 213-479-5385
Letiticia Orozco @
Street Sweep 2 HDBID 4:30
213-479-5385
Winston Street @ Main
PICK-UP: 8:00am 727 S. Spring Street
Return Latino3:00pm-5:00pm
DROP-OFF: Urban Forum model to HDBID Los Angeles, CA 90014 3:00pm -
Gunnar Josh
5:00pm
727 S. Barricades (16 total)
Street Spring Street James RojasStreet
1274 W 2nd Opens at 8:00am
(Leticia Orozco) 8:00
Kenin
213-922-2451
Need weekend Will need to be stored for the
626-437-4446 at
Garage Area of
Street Barricades (16 total) storage place 1274 W 2nd Street weekend until drop-off possible on 8:00
131 Bimini Street (if you
means for with truck
Volunteer delivery Winston Street @ Main Monday 2x3x12 and we hope to
Trees are
Trees have any trouble, tell
needed have about two trees
1214 arrangements made
them Long Beach
Garage Area of at Ave
Return Little Radio supplies to 1214 HDBID 3:00pm -
Los Angeles, CA 90021
with Bimini Street (if you
131 Joe) 5:00pm
Long Beach Avenue (Leticia Orozco)
Volunteer with truck David @ 310-210-3331 Trees are 2x3x12 and we hope to
Trees have any trouble, tell
needed have about two trees
Jimmy @ 310-922-3722
SET UP: 8:00am 5 11 them arrangements made
with Joe)
Ashley Zarella (AZ) @ 3:00pm -
Delivery of donated goods DMJM/DLANC 5:00pm
917-974-1891 We will need the barricades as
8:00am - 5:00pm
Street Closure DLANC (GH, AZ) N/A
PICK-UP: 3:00pm-5:00pm early as possible to close-off street Yellow indicates AV equipment
34 required
DLANC (GH, AZ, Winston Street @ Main
David @ 310-210-3331 8:00am -
Astro-turf WB + 5 Wendell 727 S. Spring Street 10:00am
Wendell @ 213-622-2712
Blessingame)
Return Latino Urban Forum model to HDBID Los Angeles, CA 90014 3:00pm -
5:00pm
727 S. Spring Street (Leticia Orozco) James Rojas 2 tables, shade, community 8:00am -
Community Table AZ DLANC (GH, AZ) N/A
213-922-2451 10:00am
information/flyers
626-437-4446 8:00am -
3 on 3 basketball 2 Skid Row 3 on 3 OG @ 213-489-3420 10:00am
Winston Street @ Main
1214 Long Beach Ave
Roxanne Steinberg @ 8:00am -
Return Little Radio supplies to 1214 HDBID
Farm Lab Agbin 1 Farm Lab 3:00pm -
10:00am
Los Angeles, CA 90021
310-383-6142 5:00pm
Long Beach Avenue (Leticia Orozco)
David @ 310-210-3331
James Rojas @
Latino Urban 8:00am -
Jimmy @ 310-922-3722 table, shade
Lego City 1 213-922-2451 10:00am
Forum
626-437-4446
Ashley Zarella (AZ) @ 3:00pm -
Delivery of donated goods DMJM/DLANC 5:00pm
917-974-1891
Dan Herman @ 8:00am -
Parking installation 5 DMJM volunteers provided by DMJM 10:00am
310-266-0417 Yellow indicates AV equipment
required -
8:00am
34
Signage AZ DLANC (GH, AZ) N/A ties for signage 10:00am
Page 2 of 2 10/14/2008
AAA Rentals @
Jose Huizar drop 818-344-7368 8:00am -
Tables, Chairs AV Equipment 1 10:00am
off Irantzu Pujadas @
213-473-7014
Letiticia Orozco @ 8:00am -
Trash and Recycling 1 HDBID/Chrysalis 10:00am
213-479-5385

8. Event Outreach
A press release was issued to local newspapers and blogs and flyers were distributed in two waves throughout
the adjacent neighborhood. Please see more information in the Lessons Learned portion of this report.
Press Release Flyers
DLANC Old Bank District celebrate Park[ing] Day LA on Friday, September 19, 2008
The Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC) is proud to participate in the second annual
Park[ing] Day LA. This year’s Park[ing] Day LA will take place on Friday, September 19, 2008 throughout the
region. The day is for anyone and everyone concerned about the lack of park land in the neighborhood and
community to seize a street parking spot and turn it into their own park for a day.
For our downtown event, DLANC and community partners will be hosting a block party on Winston Street
between Main Street and Werdin Place in the downtown historic core. The block party will go from 10am to
pm and will include a live band, live mural art, an interactive city landscape provided by the Latino Urban
Forum, a temporary dog park, community information tables, an exhibition basketball game by the Skid Row
-on- league, and other fun for passers-by.
The event has been sponsored and supported by DLANC, the Historic Downtown Business Improvement
District, Councilwoman Jan Perry, Councilman Jose Huizar, the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City
of Los Angeles (CRA/LA), the American Planning Association (APA CA), Gilmore Associates, the Latino Urban
Forum, Crewest Gallery, Little Radio and DMJM Design.
Park[ing] Day LA is part of a larger, national awareness campaign where people from across the country stand
up and demand more park space by demonstrating the impact of transforming a single parking spot into
green open space. The DLANC event seeks to bring public awareness to the issues of open space downtown
as it affects all stakeholders through the temporary transformation of a city block into an urban park.
The Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council represents all downtown stakeholders, whether they live,
work, own a business or are actively involved in a local organization. If you have any questions or comments,
please contact the DLANC Park[ing] Day LA block party coordinator and Public Sector Workforce Director,
Gunnar Hand, AICP at GunnarHand@hotmail.com or 816-916-604. Thank you for your time and interest.
8

9. Flyer #1
Downtown Los Angeles celebrates the second annual
Park[ing] Day LA 2008
Join the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council and community partners as we create
an urban park for a day. Park[ing] Day is a national grassroots effort to highlight the need for
more open space in our cities by transforming parking spots into small parks. So bring a lawn
chair, grab the pooch, and please enjoy our park for a day.
Friday, September 19, 2008
10am-3pm on Winston Street
at Main Street (between W.4th W. 5th Streets)
Urban park and block party
September 19, 2008
10am - 3pm
• Get involved! Volunteer or donate to create
a park for a day. All plant materials may be
W
donated to the LAUSD to be planted in a
4t
h
St
school park.
re
et
• Skid Row 3-on-3 Exhibition Game (10:00am)
W
et
ins
re
• Dog Park
St
to
in
n
Ma
St
• Live Music
re
et
• Live Art
et
tre
W • Interactive Cityscape
sS
5t
hS
ele
tre • Community Information
g
An
et
s
• Green space open to all
Lo
9

10. Flyer #2
10

11. 11

12. Lessons Learned
With more than 400 people in attendance, this event was a great success -- particularly considering the time we
had to plan and organize. Our partnerships with other organizations helped us quickly assemble the resources
we need without spending a lot of money. The following is a summary of our recommendations as a result of
lessons learned through planning and executing the Park[ing] Day LA 2008 block party.
Good volunteers make the event possible. Our volunteer staff was instrumental to the success of
the event. The team was prompt, enthusiastic and willing to hang out until the event was over to help
us clean up. Wendell Blessingame and Ashley Zarella both coordinated volunteers although Wendell’s
efforts were more successful because the volunteers arrived informed and ready for the tasks at hand.
In the future, a meeting of event volunteers in advance of the event may be warranted, depending
on the complexity of the event, to ensure that everyone is on the same page, all responsibilities are
managed, and that no one is given more than a fair share of the work.
Reward your volunteers. We provided donuts and water to all the volunteers as we waited for the
deliveries for set-up. In addition, we asked for Gilmore Associates to make a last-minute contribution
of pizza for the volunteers which was well-received. Food also provided an incentive to the volunteer
team to remain at the site throughout the day and enjoy the event itself.
It doesn’t take a lot of time - just good partners. We were able to pull this event together in a
relatively short amount of time because of the resources offered to us by our partners. We looked
not only for donations of cash, which was necessary for any contigencies the day of the event, but for
in-kind donations (such as the astro turf, tables and chairs, etc.) which helped us keep this a low-cost
event.
It would be better to have some more time. There were a lot of details we would have been able to
work out if we had more time to coordinate. We would recommend that for an event of this scale that
a full six to eight weeks be allowed for planning and organization.
Coordination meetings were instrumental to our success. By meeting with our partners in
advance of the event, we were able to identify planning gaps and opportunities through collective
brainstorming that we may not have considered otherwise. Additionally, we were able to identify many
potential partners and resources by sharing our knowledge of the community which helped us meet
our deadline. These meetings were brief (no more than one hour) and this made it possible for people
to participate as it was not a major time commitment.
Coordination schedule with contact information was useful the day of the event. When a delivery
truck didn’t arrive as scheduled, this schedule was available at the site for easy reference. We were able
to troubleshoot with our partners who were not on site but able to help with a simple phone call.
The City is a great resource that we should enhance for our community. After only a few phone calls,
we were given access to boxes of outreach materials from various City of Los Angeles Departments.
This information and giveaways (e.g. pencils and rulers) were well-received by those in attendance and
the remaining information was used for a second event (Grand Avenue Festival) a few weeks later. We
should identify the department contacts and maintain a portfolio of community outreach materials to
make every community table we host a valuable resource for our neighborhood stakeholders.
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