PARK(ing) Day

PARK(ing) Day is an annual international event where the public collaborates to temporarily transform drab parking spaces into small parks to elicit a reconsideration of the designation of public space. This global project evolved out of the implementation of a local project in San Francisco, in 2005. The art and design studio Rebar transformed a parking spot into a temporary park to draw attention to lacking open space. Out of this initial local project evolved the now global PARK(ing) Day(PDF, 1MB) event which commences every third Friday of September.

Arlington PARK(ing) Day

2023 PARK(ing) Day in Arlington was held on Friday, Sept. 15.

Events like PARK(ing) Day enrich our community life by creating an inviting streetscape and by promoting activities that allow for social exchange, fun, creativity, and critical thinking. PARK(ing) Day in particular can furthermore promote a rethinking of the usage of the public-right-of-way and may motivate the public to more actively participate in the civic processes which shape our urban environment.

2023 PARK(ing) Day Participants

How to Apply

The 2023 PARK(ing) Day took place on Sept. 15. (Application Deadline: Aug. 31.)  

The following step-by-step guide refers to information in our PARK(ing) Day Guidelines and Forms

1. Identify your parking space site for your PARK(ing) Day design and adhere to our PARK(ing) Day Site Criteria.
2. 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. 

3. 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.

4. 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: $37.62 per permit.
• Barrels: $27 (minimum site design)

5 barrels per minimum site design, costing $5.54 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)!