What is Park(ing) Day?
- The Orlando Foundation for Architecture
- 23 hours ago
- 2 min read
Park(ing) Day is an annual global event that encourages people to temporarily transform curbside parking spaces into small public places that bring communities together. Instead of being used to store cars, a parking space can become a pocket park, outdoor classroom, art exhibit, performance space, seating area, or another creative installation that invites people to gather and interact.
The event began in San Francisco in 2005 as a simple experiment to demonstrate how even a single parking space could better serve people. Since then, it has grown into a worldwide movement that inspires communities to rethink how streets and public spaces are used while promoting conversations around walkability, sustainability, safety, and equitable access to shared urban spaces.
How OFA is Getting Involved
The PARK(ing) Day event will take place along Jefferson Street in Downtown Orlando using seventeen (17) angled parking spaces.
During the event, these spaces will be transformed into temporary parklets and interactive public spaces. Installations may include educational exhibits, art displays, gathering areas, and other pedestrian-focused amenities. All participants and registrants will be required to follow PARK(ing) Day guidelines.
The purpose of the event is to demonstrate creative alternatives to traditional parking space use and encourage discussion about public space, urban design, and community engagement. The event is educational and community-oriented in nature. No goods, services, or merchandise will be sold during the event. Installations are not intended to function as advertisements or commercial displays. Participants will use temporary, removable materials that can be installed and removed without impacting public infrastructure. Each installation will showcase innovative concepts for transforming parking spaces into meaningful public places.
Ready to Participate?
If you're interested in creating a PARK(ing) Day installation, complete the registration form at the link below. Space is limited to seventeen (17) installations and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage participants to attend the PARK(ing) Day Charrette on August 5 to learn more about the guidelines, collaborate with fellow participants, and refine their installation concepts before the event.
Registration Link: https://www.orlandoarchitecture.org/parkingday
Thank you to our event sponsor: Playmore
Sources: https://www.myparkingday.org
