The innovative models created through Park(ing) Day also laid the groundwork for the re-design of streetscapes in the wake of COVID-19. In many communities, Park(ing) Day has led to new permanent parklets, plazas, and an expanded public realm. The event has led to a global movement that has enabled communities re-imagine their streets, increase social connections, and improve health and well-being. Park(ing) Day was first conceived of as a user-generated, open-source event created by and for many people. This year also marks the 15th anniversary of Park(ing) Day! Rebar, a collective of landscape architects, planners, and designers, created the first Park(ing) Day installation in 2005, and the first annual Park(ing) Day event in 2006. This creative transformation of parking spaces into parklets and inventive alternatives to an automobile-dominated environment helps communities see the incredible potential of streetscapes, which can comprise up to 80 percent of public space in cities.

On Friday, September 17, the ASLA community will participate in Park(ing) Day, the annual global event that encourages landscape architects, students, ASLA chapters, and all people who care about the quality of the public realm to re-imagine our streetscapes one parking space at a time. Park(ing) Day at SPUR in San Francisco, 2009 / Colleen McHugh

Celebration cinema studio park parking