Park(ing) Day is a global movement that reimagines how public space can be used. For one day each year, metered parking spaces are transformed into temporary public places that encourage creativity, community engagement, and conversation about the future of urban spaces.
Participants “rent” parking spaces by paying the meter and then convert those spaces into pop-up parks, art installations, educational exhibits, performance spaces, gardens, and other creative community environments.
The Park(ing) Day movement began in 2005 in San Francisco when Rebar, a collective of architects and designers, paid for a parking space and transformed it into a small public park. What started as a single installation has grown into an international event celebrated in cities around the world.
The City of St. Louis has proudly participated in Park(ing) Day since 2011, showcasing innovative ideas and inspiring residents to rethink how public spaces can serve people, strengthen neighborhoods, and build community connections.