Got a Park(ing) Day idea? City accepting applications this month

Cathy Tuttle of Seattle Neighborhood Greenways plays putt-putt golf in South Lake Union. PARK(ing) Day 2013

For one day in September, Seattle residents and businesses will transform parking spaces around the city into little parks.

PARK(ing) Day is an international event for people to be creative and re-imagine the urban space usually reserved for car storage. It is September 19 this year, but you gotta get your application into the city by August 29.

While PARK(ing) Day is just plain fun, it is also a statement about how valuable urban space is. Once a city gets dense enough, a lot can happen in a very small space. This is one reason that, as a city grows in population and job density, personal car use becomes less and less practical as a way to get around.

Started in San Francisco, PARK(ing) Day is a rogue event in many cities. People simply pay the meter and set up a little public park instead of parking a car. But the city of Seattle not only embraces the event, they actually help organize it and arrange easy and free permits (though you have to find your own traffic cones).

Highlights from previous years include a putt-putt golf course built largely out of car parts, a mini arboretum and a pop-up protected bike lane on 2nd Ave. If you are interested in hosting a park, check out our 2013 photos for some inspiration.

Details from SDOT:

PARK(ing) Day is September 19—just two months away—and we’re accepting applications. This is your chance to have a little fun in the street and create a pop-up park for a day!

Haven’t heard of PARK(ing) Day? It’s an international event on the third Friday in September that helps to raise awareness about creating a walkable, livable, and healthy city. This marks the eighth year that Seattle has participated. Last year we had more than 40 pop-up parks around the city…let’s go for 100 this year.

PARK(ing) Day is your opportunity to turn an on-street parking space into something different for a few hours. Get your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or family together and start planning now. What will you do in your parking space park between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19?

We’ve included a gallery of 2013 PARK(ing) Day installations on our updated website, so take a peek and get inspired. There’s also a new application form—don’t worry, it’s still free to participate—to make it even easier for you to reserve your space.

You can plan your park for either an arterial street (at least two spaces) or a residential street (one space is fine) most anywhere in Seattle. More information about the dos and don’ts for PARK(ing) Day parks is available on our website, and we’re here to help you find a space that works and guide you through the process.

The simple application is due by August 29, but the sooner you apply, the better. Don’t risk someone else reserving your favorite space! Send your completed form to [email protected] or call 206-733-9970 with questions.

For more information about Seattle’s PARK(ing) Day please visit www.Seattle.gov/transportation/seattleparkingday.htm.