PARK(ing) Day returns, empowering Portlanders to reimagine public spaces

When you see an empty parking space, your first thought is probably “can my car fit?” But for the designers, artists, residents, and business owners of

PARK(ing) Day , it’s a blank canvas to create a place for community engagement.

The global event first came to Portland in 2006 and is still inspiring dialogue about different ways to conceptualize the right-of-way in an urban context. We’re talking about pop-up parks .

As you can imagine, there are a number of rules for these temporary installations, including how they have to be located on a street where the speed limit is 30 mph or less.

This year PARK(ing) Day falls on Friday, Sept. 20, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Permits are free and the deadline to send applications to pbotparkingday@portlandoregon.gov is Friday, Sept. 13.