project 2: Park(ing) Day: mock-up

This past Sunday we met at Duboce Park to test constructability of an umbrella screen/canopy for our park. We had some ideas of how to put it together but doing a mock-up helped us test them out and find a system that we can use.

First we worked on securing the open umbrellas together with wire and washers, and then using sewing pins as a replacement for safety pins, which we determined will work the best. After being secured together, we could hold up the 'canopy' using the handles of the umbrellas but still needed a frame to create the main structure. We tried inverting the umbrellas and the interior space created with just the fabric of the umbrellas worked out much better!


Sarah had tent poles that we put together and strung through the inner frame of the umbrellas, popped them up, and the poles worked on supporting umbrellas. By adding smaller tent frame poles, we were able to support the inner umbrellas and we have our umbrella canopy figured out!


It would be great to use the handles and frame of umbrellas on the 'exterior' of the screen - any ideas?

We need a few more colorful umbrellas and we will be ready to construct this portion of our park on September 18th. If you have any slightly damaged and able to repair umbrellas that you would like to donate, we would love to use them for Park(ing) Day and West Coast Green - please comment below! And stop by September 18th at Valencia St & 18th to see our the completed project!