PARK(ing) Day is an internationally recognized event that occurs annually in cities large and small.

Individuals and groups transform parking spaces into pocket parks and parklets. The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more quality urban open space for people, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of the urban human habitat. In short, it is a day to reimagine those areas for people instead of cars. If we designed them for people, would they be asphalt? Or would there be trees, grass, and flowers with places to sit and things to do? PARK(ing) Day was held on September 19, and a local group organized the Knoxville event so that participants could reserves spaces along Gay Street. With 50 parking spaces reserved, creative uses for the parking spots lined the busy downtown street, drawing attention from passersby and those patronizing local retail and restaurant establishments. Find out more about the event from this Inside of Knoxville article, and check out photos from the event from the group’s Facebook event and a follow-up photo essay from Inside of Knoxville!