Categories: Events

Grab a Chair & Get Some Air: Tomorrow is the 5th PARK(ing) Day Philly!

Ready to sit on your butt outside tomorrow?

Good news, we have a day JUST for you!

Friday, September 21 is Park(ing) Day Philadelphia! This day is designed for you outdoorsy types that want to design, build, staff or visit a park to see how Philly can get more awesome public spaces instead of cars. Activists, artists & more transform metered parking spaces into temporary public parks to envision the need for more pedestrian-friendly spaces in our urban illadelph paradise.

Over 30 temporary parks were created in 2011 and it looks like there’s 50+ registered for tomorrow’s festivities from the Phila Parking Day map. Phila favs like PA Horticultural Society, Galleries at Moore, Pumpkin Philly, Clean Air Council, Zipcar, the PPA (hopefully someone will ticket them if their meter expires… jk), and Mayor’s Office of Sustainability are on the roster. You can catch the action between 9-5 PM, subject to when it’s legal to set up the ‘park’. Just find an area close to you on the map and relax!

Park(ing) Day is a global event since 2005 in San Fran (shocker) when a single metered parking space became a temporary public park.  Inspired by outdoor urban human habitats where we could just be lazy, the initial result of renting public space (or a parking space) was kind of amazing by Rebar:

 

Later in the early evening, Moore College of Art & Design is continuing festivities by having a few spots on 1900 Race Street in front of the college from 6-8 PM, with Dapper Dogs, Mary Seton Corboy (Greensgrow Farms), Drew Becher (PHS), and Bryan Hanes (Studio Brian Hanes) for their network: Designing Green. For the event, 4 designers created Parklets complete with patios, planters, trees, artwork, sculptures, bike parking & more.

 

Photos: Park(ing) Day & Park(ing) Day Phila.

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia.

Recent Posts

Enviro jobs & grants, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Parks and Rec expands environmental stewardship program. Philadelphia…

7 days ago

Meet 6 people making Philly greener, one neighborhood at a time.

(and they're all SustainPHL nominees!) From storm drains in Germantown to community gardens in Kensington,…

1 week ago

Vacant lot greening, A challenge to the school board, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Teens turn vacant lot into green space. Since…

2 weeks ago

The Philly Passive House: What does a home without fossil fuels look like?

Inside a Francisville Passive House project, Green Philly attendees saw how airtight construction, insulation, efficient…

2 weeks ago

New trash bill, utility assistance, National Estuaries Week, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Council considers new bill for waste disposal contract.…

3 weeks ago

Announcing the SustainPHL 2026 Nominees

Meet the local leaders, organizations and changemakers shaping a more sustainable Philadelphia. Philadelphia has welcomed…

3 weeks ago