PARKing Day 2017 is set to be the biggest yet

City of Cambridge to Celebrate PARK(ing) Day on September 15

The International Event Converts Metered Parking Spaces into Temporary Parks
to Promote Urban Open Space Awareness

On Friday, September 15, over 50 local businesses, City departments, and nonprofit organizations will participate in the City of Cambridge’s 6th annual PARK(ing) Day celebration, turning metered parking spaces into temporary parks and activity hubs. The mission of PARK(ing) Day, an international event, is to call attention to the value of urban open space and to generate thoughtful debate about how public space is created and allocated.

PARK(ing) Day is a creative way for the community to come together for a day of fun activities while raising awareness about urban infrastructure, says Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager for Community Development. In addition to learning about the business and organizations that participate in PARK(ing) Day, we hope that residents and visitors will think about how urban open space is currently utilized and how it can be improved to create a safer, healthier city for all ages and abilities.

120 parking spots throughout Cambridge will transform into miniature parks and activity hubs. Features include:

• Cooking demonstrations, live CCTV interviews, information about composting, businesses, and Complete Streets, and dance classes in Central Square
• Bicycle safety checks in East Cambridge
• Lawn games, poetry readings, Zumba, create-your-own succulent garden, pet licensing resources, Vision Zero information, and CPR demonstrations in Harvard Square
• Parkour challenges, jeopardy games, city housing information, and prize giveaways in Inman Square
• Public reading space, volunteer fair, voter registration, arts and crafts, and Hubway-powered batteries in Kendall Square
• Music-making, artist showcases, Envision Cambridge activities, social justice demonstrations, and library membership registration in Porter Square

The celebration will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., although metered parking will be limited in the aforementioned neighborhoods between 7:00a.m. and 7:00p.m. on Friday, September 15th. For a comprehensive list of participants and a map of activity locations, visit www.cambridgema.gov/parkingday. For detailed schedule and interactive map, follow this link: http://arcg.is/2vsKXqb

PARK(ing) Day was founded by Rebar, a San Francisco-based art and design studio, in 2005. Since then, the event has expanded into a worldwide grassroots movement, encompassing over 160 cities in 35 countries.