As we are still digging out from the nor'easter that hit on Wednesday, another battle begins on the streets... parking wars. If you’ve lived through past winters in the city, you know what I'm talking about. The most valuable real estate sits where nobody lives… on the street, next to the curbs. That’s right. People will use any household object to defend their precious parking spots.
Contentious? Competitive? Controversial? Sure. It’s certainly a debated topic for anyone who lives – or drives – in Boston. Check out all these objects people use to stake claims on their parking space.
The Chair
Chairs are one of the most popular parking spot savers around. They can be seen in all sorts of shapes and sizes. It appears everyone on this block could have a place to sit.
The Garbage Can
No, it’s not trash day. Garbage cans are the parking space saver of choice in Boston. Full of garbage or not, this trash can’s main use is to dissuade other cars from poaching its space.
The Bucket
In nobler days, this container held 5 gallons of paint, or nails perhaps. Now? It sits empty, alone, between snow banks.
A Children's Chair
Maybe the kid grew up, maybe they bought a car. Or maybe it was just the first thing available to the person who saved the space.
The Orange Cone
Of all the parking space savers, these are probably the only items that are serving their intended purpose: to keep (most) automobiles at bay. They also have the benefit of looking the most legit. The owner of this blaze orange obstacle could be a cop or work for the city?!
A Computer Chair
Many different types of chairs are used as parking spot savers. This computer chair has probably seen better days. It may be ergonomically correct, but undoubtedly wasn’t produced for duty along this curb.
On the upside: It has wheels.
The Plastic Slide
Once, this plastic slide brought joy to kids. But, hey, boys and girls, is that a puddle I see?
The HamperOne of two things happened here:
1) A very confused person assumed curb-side laundry service was provided on their street,
or
2) Having a clean hamper wasn’t as important as a prime parking spot.
The Milk Crate
Crates are also very popular parking spot holders. They’re light, they’re sturdy, and besides, not many milkmen show up around the neighborhood these days.
A Wooden Stand
Who knows the original purpose of this wooden piece of furniture – a bedside table, TV stand, or storage unit? But we know its purpose now!
A Bottle of Laundry Detergent
It gets stains out, makes your clothes smell mountain fresh, and saves your parking spot while you go to the store to get more… detergent. Yep, it’s a vicious cycle.
The Plastic Storage Unit
Well, it’s tall, so it’s not hard to miss if you’re thinking of parking where it stands. Bonus: the bottom drawer opens up – for extra stability.
A Snow Shovel and a Pot for Plants
The shovel says, “I worked hard for this spot.”
The pot says, “I like plants.”
Together, they say, “Don’t park here.”
A Wooden Bench
This wooden bench probably prefers to dream of its younger days, those happy summer backyard picnics. Now? It’s tumbled.
A Nativity Scene
Not making this up. Someone actually did use this scene depicting the birth of baby Jesus to save their parking spot. Seriously, would
you take this spot?
The Beach Chair
One of two things is going on here:
1. Cast members of The Jersey Shore decided to spend the winter in Southie.
2. A resident figured out that this chair is a great protector of curbside real estate when completely unfolded.
A Chair with a Note
Attaching a note like this one, “Saving Spot for Handicap Mom” or other possibilities like “Elderly Parking Space” and “Grandma’s Spot” is a nice touch. It really goes after those few spot stealers with a conscious. Another approach I’ve seen is, “Move This Chair At Your Own Risk,” as spot stealers have been know to return to their car with slashed tires, broken mirrors and windows, keyed paint jobs, etc.
A Metal Clothes Rack
It dries clothes no more. Now this metal monstrosity does outdoor duty to reserve this obviously choice parking spot.
The Stool
Another sitting device that’s moonlighting as a parked car. But whose car? A pub owner? A stand up comic? A lion tamer?
The Shopping Cart
A real gamble of a space saver, sometimes the stores send people out to retrieve their carts… I’m sure the cart boys love that job!
An Elvis Statue
The King of all parking space savers. Elvis Presley may be gone, but a piece of the King lives on – as a parking space saver. This is by far the most creative (and trashy) space saver I have seen yet!
A Chair with a Brick
Some residents get ahead of the game staking out their spots even before flakes start flying. These bricks were seen resting comfortably on some plastic patio chairs… not sure if the brick is to hold the chairs in place or a message of what will go through your windshield if you steal these prime places.
A Sawhorse
This sawhorse is probably used to holding up doors or shutters as they are being sanded and stained. Now it holds something else entirely different.
A Propane Tank
Only months earlier, this tank was probably helping to cook some porterhouse steaks or beer can chicken for a fun summer barbecue.
Looks like the party's over.
A Wooden Box
Maybe someone was building a box car, and a snowstorm hit before the wheels could be attached. Or… maybe not.
The Oscillating Fan
Because, you know, it's not cold enough outside.
A Push Cart with a Cinder Block
This one also meets the four-wheel criteria. But why the cinder block? Was a bricklayer taking a rest from a leisurely winter stroll?
Or did the person saving this spot think the cinder block would make the cart too heavy to roll a few feet out of the way? Sadly, we'll never know.
A Shovel in a Box
In case you don't see the box while you're attempting to park here, the shovel is there to both catch your attention with its vertical reach, and remind you that someone recently performed physical labor here.
Dead Plants
No, this is not for beautification... these dead plants are holding their owners cherished parking spot until they return.
The BEST Parking Space Saver
A CAR!! Imagine that.
