The number of parks throughout Philadelphia increases dramatically each year on the third Friday in September, when activists, artists, architects, and other citizens transform metered parking spaces into temporary public parks. Known as PARK(ing) Day, this annual event re-imagines the possibilities of 140 square feet of car parking space. The “global, public, participatory project where people across the world temporarily repurpose curbside parking spaces and convert them into public parks and social spaces to advocate for safer, greener, and more equitable streets for people,” (Official PARK(ing) DAY website) will be celebrated on Friday, September 20th.

PARK(ing) Day was founded by Rebar, a San Francisco art and design studio, in 2005 to raise awareness of the need for green spaces in urban environments. Philadelphia celebrated PARK(ing) Day for the first time in 2008 with over 25 installations for relaxing, cycling, creating art, education, and socializing.

Philadelphia’s PARK(ing) Day is presented by the Center for DesignPhiladelphia in partnership with the Philadelphia Parking Authority, the American Institute of Architects Philadelphia Chapter, Kendon Photography
(official local photographer) and Design Gym. 

Go solo, partner up, or participate as an organization/office, we welcome you and hope you join us! For guidelines and claim a space by August 29th, see here. Find us on social channels @parkingdayphila and #PARKingDayPHL. 

Check out  the global event of PARK(ing) DAY, here.