Imagine a parking lot with a safe, shaded pathway to walk or wheel through. If you needed to rest, wait for a bus or take a break from your job at a local shop, there would be comfortable places to sit. And when it rains, the water would seep into an adjacent garden that’s teeming with lush plants and colourful butterflies. “In Search of Parking Lot Paradise” —a three-day, pop-up event held in Peterborough — demonstrated that such an oasis is definitely possible.

In 2022, Peterborough-based GreenUP received $46,150 from the Government of Canada’s $23.25-million investment in My Main Street through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). GreenUP received this funding as part of the My Main Street Community Activator program, administered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), to support projects that restore vitality to communities across southern Ontario.   

The “In Search of Parking Lot Paradise” event was organized by GreenUP, a non-profit organization that inspires environmentally healthy and sustainable action in the community. GreenUP is the local lead for Depave Paradise, a project that transforms asphalt-heavy areas into greenspace. By replacing pavement with permeable materials, you can divert thousands of litres of rainwater from the stormwater system. Adding some native vegetation will transform a tired parking lot into a habitat that supports biodiversity for plants, insects and animals. Plus, people who visit or pass through the space will enjoy the physical and mental health benefits associated with exposure to nature.

“The Paradise project was able to demonstrate the kind of impact that a de-paved space could have in parking lots,” says Laura Keresztesi, coordinator of Neighbourhood & Residential Programs at GreenUp. “There’s so many of them in Peterborough.”

From October 16 to 18, 2022, GreenUP created a pop-up installation in the parking lot of Market Plaza, located on George Street in downtown Peterborough. In cooperation with the landlord, GreenUP blocked off 10 parking spaces and two driving lanes near the entrance of the parking lot. With that space, they showcased multiple concepts for better parking lot design: 

• A decorated portable washroom
• A bike parking area and bike path adjacent to the sidewalk
• A colourful shaded seating area with modular seating
• Designated walking and mobility-device pathways
• Rain gardens and permeable pavement

The My Main Street funding helped GreenUP purchase materials, including seating and patio umbrellas, as well as native trees, shrubs and flowers. Because “In Search of Parking Lot Paradise” was a temporary installation, the organizers were able to repurpose the plants for other events.

“With that funding, we are able to do a really nice job,” says Keresztesi.

The Peterborough Council for Persons with Disabilities was hired to lead programming, including sessions of “time in my shoes.” Participants had the opportunity to try navigating the parking lot in a wheelchair, or with vision-blocking goggles. The activity gave people a sense of what it’s like to live with different disabilities—and it demonstrated how greenspace can be used to improve accessibility.

“What's nice about those two is that they really do go hand in hand,” says Keresztesi. “Green infrastructure can be used to make places safer. So it's a win-win all around.”

More than 200 people participated in the event’s programming. Participants shared their personal feedback about the activities and the concepts for re-imagined parking lots. More than 67% of respondents said that including green infrastructure in parking lots would influence their choice of where to shop.

As a direct result of the “In Search of Parking Lot Paradise” event, GreenUP received approval to install new bike racks in the parking lot of downtown Peterborough’s Market Plaza.

GreenUp is developing a document to share the results with commercial landlords, decision-makers and the broader community. By showing what’s possible in parking lot design, they’re hoping more people will push for permanent spaces like the paradise they created.

Photo Credit: Jessica Todd

Photo Caption: A bike is installed at the bike parking rack installation, as part of the event.