Pop-up parks are also known as “Parklets” are popping up in cities around the world.

The idea initially started in San Francisco, were members of San Francisco design collective Rebar paid an on-street parking meter for 2 hours, they created a “park” in the space complete with turf, a tree, a bench and signs inviting people to sit and relax. After the 2 hours were up it was packed up and returned to a parking space. For those 2 hours, the space was transformed adding a new experience to the area, while also giving people a place to relax and enjoy their city.

Img source: https://www.civicdesigncenter.org/events/parking-day

Although the space was not intended to continue past the 2 hours it took off and Rebar created a how to guide and launched an event that would make a bigger statement about the use of public spaces.

Img source: https://laughingsquid.com/parking-day-2011/

It has now become an annual open-source global event where metered parking spaces are turned into temporary public spaces known as PARK(ing) Day. In 2006 PARK(ing) Day was celebrated with 47 parks in 13 cities by 2011 it had 1,000 parks in 35 countries.

Img Source: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/parking-days-roadside-attraction-78730864/

Pop-up parks are a great way to rethink a city and how we use them.