Applications open for PARK(ing) Day 2018

Meghan Walker Ballard

One day each year, parking spots around the city transform into pop-up parklets. It’s known as PARK(ing) Day, an annual global event every third Friday of September to allow residents to get creative in their streets and repurpose public space. This year’s event will happen on September 21; applications close on August 24.

“In Seattle, we want to encourage communities to use streets as sites for public expression and creative experimentation, as well as for enjoyment of health and wellness,” according to city officials promoting the event.

In the past, parklets have included live music, games such as giant Jenga, art installations, and even little wading pools. The more creative, the better.

New this year are neighborhood “clusters”, in which the city will help organize multiple installations grouped together to make for a “safer, less isolated and more engaging experience”. Ballard isn’t included as a cluster, but the following are: Beacon Hill, Capitol Hill, West Seattle, U. District, Lake City, and Rainier Beach.

Also new is an awards ceremony for the best parklet designs. Participants will be eligible to win one of three awards presented by the WASLA Washington Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects, as part of the culmination of the Seattle Design Festival. The awards celebration will be on the evening of PARK(ing) Day at the Center for Architecture and Design from 7 to 9pm.

For inspiration or to learn more about PARK(ing) Day, join one of the city’s info sessions at Bulldog News Parklet in the U. District on August 7 from 11am to 1pm, or at Sugar Plum Parklet on Capitol Hill on August 8 from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

25 thoughts to “Applications open for PARK(ing) Day 2018”

  1. Driver Inconvenienced!

    SEATTLE (AP) Shock and confusion spread throughout the local driver community as numerous drivers reported what police and international humanitarian aid workers describe as a First Degree Inconveniencing. “Oh, oh!” sobbed a local driver who asked that his name not be used out of fear of his privilege being checked, “The inconvenience! The inconvenience!”

    President Trump tweeted support for those inconvenienced and threatened…

    1. Some people can’t function without the use of an automobile. They just can’t put everything in a shopping cart or take it on the bus. They need a form of transportation to complete their tasks.

      1. Exactly! Taking away a parking space threatens people’s very existence. Parking is a human right!

        What do you think about Trump proposing adding the right to parking to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

        Parking is NOT a privilege, correct? Parking is a right? Yes?

        2. @ elenchos: again I urge you to please move your GHD wallet, as your garbled message just isn’t clear. Although, it does appear you missed the 8 shitty years of Obama AND that Trump actually really does live rent free in YOUR tiny brain. WTF would U have to do if it weren’t for being the troll/bully U R? Make Ballard Great Again

          1. Although, it does appear you missed the 8 shitty years of Obama…

            Oh do please elaborate how terrible your life was under Obama, Scotty!

          2. Obama was completely black the ENTIRE 8 years. Completely. Black. That’s it.

    2. Yes, I really should “check my privilidge” for assuming that streets would be used in the same way they’ve ALWAYS been used, for transportation. Because only the “priviledged” need to actually go anywhere.

      And might I be so bold to suggest that hipsters can play their giant Jenga games in places that have always been used for playing, like parks and playgrounds? Oh that’s right, we can’t inconvenience our precious vagrants and depicts and suggest they move their tents and trash out of our public parks for PARKing Day.

      1. Change = anger.

        Simple as that. You were angry when you heard they’re adding a Target store to Ballard so you don’t have to drive to Northgate. See, it’s not really about solving transportation issues. It’s change.

        What cracks me up is how you define “always” is “ever since I got here”. Always means your precious, unique life. Anybody tries to put anything back to the way it was before your time and you’d cry “no! Keep it the same as it’s ALWAYS been!” You’re funny.

        1. “Anybody tries to put anything back to the way it was before your time and you’d cry “no!”

          Im quite certain SDOT wasn’t turning over our streets for giant Jenga games when I moved here over 25 years ago.

          1. Do you even imagine there ever existed a time before car culture? There was.

          2. Yeah, but who wants horse crap all over the place not to mention the smell.

          3. Oh zing. I’d give up cars to get rid of the virtue signaling from elenchos

      2. Nothing to stop you from walking down the street during PARK(ing). BTW, you should look up why leaving your car at the curb is called “parking.”

    3. Ellen, did the Russians hack your account? This is some crazy gibberish you are spewing.

      Do you honestly think this is a good use of money?

      1. Oh no! A few thousand bucks are being spent to allow people to have fun, socialize with their neighbors and enjoy their neighborhood. THE HORROR!

        I can definitely see how that would trigger the “Safe Seattle” crowd.

          1. If you really do think parking is a human right, then say so.

            Below market rate street parking is an amenity the city may choose to provide in many places, but I don’t see any reason they’re obligated to provide it. Or obligated to provide the same number of spaces indefinitely. Sometimes the city repurposes its resources to offer different amenities. I don’t see how that tramples anybody’s rights.

            Unless you think parking really does belong in the Bill of Rights. Does it? Don’t be shy if that’s what you really believe.

          2. Is there any reason that for one, single day of the year, our overabundance of concrete can’t be used for something other than abandoning giant hunks of metal?

  2. I’m going to get a 12 pack of tall boys, get sh*ty drunk, and just sit in the street by the curb. It will be like any other day in Ballard.

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