We’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of PARK(ing) Day by highlighting the 40 amazing parklet installations that sprang up in parking spaces across Seattle on Friday, September 20.
How people get around Seattle is evolving and so are the needs of people in Seattle. As our city continues to grow, public space that people can easily walk to and gather as a community becomes increasingly important.
On PARK(ing) Day, which is held every third Friday of September, people around the world temporarily transform parking spaces into people spaces. This year was Seattle’s tenth year hosting the event.
Parklet installations popped up individually across the city, while some popped up in clusters. Located in Columbia City, Capitol Hill, and the University District, clusters featured concentrations of parklets that encouraged people to visit more than one parklet at a time.
Looking back at some of our favorite PARK(ing) Day installations. We’re bummed we didn’t get to visit these in a “Little Red Corvette.” ??
A number of parklets were centered on transportation, conservation, and interactive art while others were simply good ol’ fashioned hangout spots.
We partnered with the Mayor’s Office and Seattle Parks & Recreation to transform Dilling Way, next to City Hall Park, into an open space for fun and play. For PARK(ing) Day, the cars that are normally parked in Dilling Way were replaced by live music, a hula hoop dancer, picnic games, and people eating lunch.
Fremont community members (and some of our team) also broke out a few dance moves at the “Prince Tribute IV” parklet. This was parklet host, Caroline Sayre’s, fourth time providing Prince music, free dance lessons from a neighborhood dance studio, and food (but only if it was purple!) to her community.
Caroline’s parklet (and others) truly captured the essence of PARK(ing) Day: with even a little bit of open space, people in the community can come together, connect, and have a lot of fun!
An awards ceremony was held in Occidental Square Park at the end of the day. Congratulations to our parklet winners!
Drumroll, please… our winners are:
- Pavement Upcycle Award: “Shiga’s One World Pop-Up” by Shiga’s Imports
- Community Connection Award: “Pup Place Parklet” by Blink
- Environmental Stewardship Award: “Reduce, Reuse, ReParklet” by JA Brennan Associates
- Showstopper Award: “Swimmin’ Up Madison!” by Weisman Design Group
Thanks to everyone who joined! We hope to see you next year.
To learn more about PARK(ing) Day, visit our website! You can also follow along with the day’s events on Twitter by checking out the hashtag #PARKingDaySea2019 and #ComePlayonPARKingDay.