Join the Movement!
PARK(ing) Day Dallas promotes social interaction, civic engagement, critical thinking, and creativity through individual generosity and play. On the third Friday of September each year, Dallas joins other cities around the world in temporarily transforming parking spaces into parks. Various city departments, individual residents, organizations, and businesses transform parking spaces into areas for relaxing, networking, and entertainment. The streets of downtown Dallas annually become a working urban laboratory, showcasing creative ideas from citizens and music from local entertainers. Learn how you can become part of the movement this year!
PARK(ing) Day Dallas is on Thursday, September 14th, 2023
FAQ
What is PARK(ing) Day?
PARK(ing) Day is an annual, worldwide event where artists, activists, and citizens turn parking spots into temporary public parks and other spaces for people to enjoy. PARK(ing) Day is a non-commercial project, intended to promote creativity, civic engagement, critical thinking, unscripted social interactions, generosity, and play. Every year, thousands of parklets are created in cities across the globe, In Downtown Dallas, we permit around 30 spaces on Main Street where people can enjoy a day of play in a parking space. To learn about the history of this event, visit the official PARK(ing) Day website.
When does it happen?
PARK(ing) Day happens annually on the third Friday in September – this year it’s on September 14th, 2023. PARK(ing) Day Dallas will take place on Main Street from 11:00am – 6:00pm, so you can set up a PARK for a few hours or a full day.
Where is it happening?
PARK(ing) Day happens across the world, in cities large and small. PARK(ing) Day Dallas will focus on parking space transformations along Main Street in Downtown Dallas (between Field & St. Paul).
Who participates in PARK(ing) Day?
YOU DO! Park(ing) Day is a citizen-powered, worldwide event, and people of all stripes from all over the planet participate every year. The event has become a tool for artists, activists, companies, and “ordinary” people of all ages to demonstrate what matters to them, engage their communities, encourage play, and have a little fun. Organizations and teams of participants can sign up to transform their own space.
How do I get involved?
The planning team works with the City of Dallas and sponsor Downtown Dallas, Inc., to secure spaces for transformation. We then turn these spaces over to participants free of charge. To reserve a space, contact our team. Businesses, groups, and individuals are welcome to participate.
Can I participate if I don’t have a team?
There are opportunities for artists, musicians, and volunteers during the event. We can help you link up with a team to transform a space or find other volunteer opportunities based on your interests. Contact us and let us know what you are interested in doing!
How will the PARK(ing) spaces be reserved?
PARKs in our target areas will take place in metered parking spaces hooded under a special event permit issued by the City of Dallas. This will allow PARKs to pop up for the full day. Registering for a space in our target areas will allow us to find the perfect space for your group, making PARK(ing) Day visible and accessible to the entire community.
Where can I find resources for my PARK?
Check out our network with our community of participants on Facebook.
What are the rules? How does the contest work and who can participate?
The rules are as follows:
- Each space may not exceed 9’ feet deep by 20’ feet long
- Spaces must face the sidewalk, interaction with the traffic lane is prohibited
- There must be a barrier between your space and the traffic lane
- Nothing within the space nor any structure within the space may exceed 10’ feet in height
- Any animals must be penned, corralled, or on a leash
- No flames
- No retail sales of any kind
- You may give away prepackaged goods such as candy bars, bottles of water, or canned soda
