What is Park(ing) Day?
PARK(ING) Day is an annual global event where people transform parking spaces into temporary public spaces, such as parks, seating areas, or art installations. It began in 2005 in San Francisco to highlight the importance of green space in urban environments. Participants use the spaces creatively to promote urban vibrancy, community engagement, and reimagining public areas. The goal is to rethink how we use urban space, often challenging car-dominated city designs. It typically occurs on the third Friday of September, bringing together artists, designers, and community members.
The City of Calgary ran Park(ing) Day from 2017-2021, and after a brief hiatus, ActivateYYC reimagined the event in 2024. Hosted in partnership with the Kensington BIA.
