BY PHIL CUSTODIO
Clarkston News Editor
Toting tents, lawn chairs, and artificial grass, teenagers took over the city parking lot at Main and Washington streets and made it into a park for a day.
“This is an effort to make a park out of parking spots,” said Brooklyn Mychalowych, one of about 45 Clarkston High School students taking over part of the parking lot during International Park(ing) Day, Sept. 20.
“Sort of force people to walk more to other places and raise awareness of the environment,” said classmate Amanda Sutherby.
They were all French or Spanish students, so they stayed busy speaking in their foreign language to passerbys about how to make planters out of plastic bottles and other environmental projects, while classmates translated.
“A lot of community members on their way to work have come out and asked the students what they’re doing. It’s cool,” said French teacher Susan Mohr. “I’m super excited to be here with the kids in the community to take part in the protest, if you will.”
“They’re doing a real nice job,” said Spanish teacher Daryl Biallas. “This help them think critically about reusing public spaces, about the way space is used for social interaction, and how to engage with each other outside of technology.”
The students also played board games, made bracelets, and painted people’s faces during the day-long event, from 8 a.m. to about 1:30 p.m.
“It’s Dia de la Brujas, a Halloween party,” said student Audrey Schatz.
The international event started in 2005. This is the second year Clarkston students took part, tying it to a unit on sharing the planet.