PARK(ing) Day

PARK(ing) Day is a community collaboration to temporarily transform drab parking spaces into small parks to elicit reconsideration of the term "public space." The event started in San Francisco in 2005, evolving into the annual PARK(ing) Day(PDF, 1MB) around the world on the third Friday of September.

Parking Day Guidelines Logo

How to Apply

The 2025 PARK(ing) Day will take place on Thursday, Oct. 2. (Application deadline was Aug. 31.)

The following step-by-step guide refers to information in our PARK(ing) Day Guidelines and Forms(PDF, 1MB).

Identify your parking space site for your PARK(ing) Day design and adhere to our PARK(ing) Day Site Criteria.
Apply for your PARK(ing) Day Permit
- Fill out the PARK(ing) Day Transportation Right-of-Way Application (pg. 5)
- Read and Sign the Arlington County PARK(ing) Day Agreement and Release Form (pg. 6)
- Provide Certificate of Liability Insurance (pg. 7)
- Create a Site Design Concept (pg. 8); refer to the list of approved and restricted items and activities in the “Guidelines and Forms” (pg.3) document for details
- Fill out the PARK(ing) Day Barrel Request Form (pg. 9)
- Submit these forms to the Parking Team (TE&O) via email: mlondon@arlingtonva.us.
After your permit application has been approved, you will receive a payment invoice per email from mlondon@arlingtonva.us. Please review section “PERMIT FEE PAYMENT” in the PARK(ing) Day Guidelines and Forms pdf for payment details.
Implement your design and have fun at the PARK(ing) Day event!

Fees

To apply for a PARK(ing) Day permit, the following fees (subject to change based on the most recent DES fee schedule) are due after the site review and initial approval:

PARK(ing) Day Permit: $43 per permit.
Barrels: $31.80 (minimum site design)

5 barrels per minimum site design, costing $6.36 each (one extra barrel required per each additional consecutive space).

The Arlington Division of Transportation will sponsor the barrel fee for the first five applications from private residents (one site per application).

2025 PARK(ing) Day Spaces

Participant

Address

Theme

Department of Environmental Services Parking

1601 Wilson Blvd.

Rosslyn Performance Parking: Tired of circling the block for a parking spot in Rosslyn? Our performance parking pilot makes it easier to find a space and reduces traffic, so you can get to what matters. Stop by and learn more.

DES Parking

2400 Clarendon Blvd.

Courthouse Performance Parking: Tired of circling the block for a parking spot in Courthouse? Our performance parking pilot makes it easier to find a space and reduces traffic, so you can get to what matters. Stop by and learn more.

DES Parking

4201 Wilson Blvd.

Ballston Performance Parking: Tired of circling the block for a parking spot in Ballston? Our performance parking pilot makes it easier to find a space and reduces traffic, so you can get to what matters. Stop by and learn more.

DES Parking

2210 Crystal Dr.

Crystal City Performance Parking: Tired of circling the block for a parking spot in Crystal City? Our performance parking pilot makes it easier to find a space and reduces traffic, so you can get to what matters. Stop by and learn more.

Zipcar, Inc.

2092 Crystal Dr.

Zip and Play: Trading our parking spot for a playground! Join us as we transform a space into an urban oasis of fun and games. Come play your favorite lawn games, learn about the benefits of car-sharing.

DES Vision Zero

4201 Wilson Blvd.

Vision Zero: Learn about the policies, projects, intiatives, outreach and data that Arlington County is using to work toward our Vision Zero Transportation safety goals.

Walk Arlington/Bike Arlington

998 N. Stuart St.

Country & Western Car-Free Corral: Roping off a spot for a Country and Western corral. Join us to learn how to put your bike on a bus and adjust your saddle, demo the latest scooters from Lime and Bird, and snag free walking and biking guides, Capital Bikeshare info, and BikeArlington swag.

Friends of Urban Agriculture

900 N. Stuart St.

Nourish the Block - Small Spaces, Big Impact: Get growing with us this and where we can show you how to turn tiny spaces into thriving gardens, even with something as simple as a five-gallon bucket. Come see what you can plant in sun or shade, taste some fresh produce, and share your vision for a greener neighborhood.

Downloadable maps(PDF, 471KB)