Austin parking transforms into 14 parks—for a day

Austin will have more park space (and a little less parking space) this week, if only for a day. In celebration of Park(ing) Day, a global event occurring on the third Friday of September, artists, designers, planners, and engaged citizens will transform parking spots into mini parks—or “parklets,” as some call them—for the day.

Sponsored by Austin Transportation, the event is intended to promote public engagement and dialogue on the need for public, open spaces in urban areas—and, as with most things Austin, to have a little fun and socialize with fellow residents.

Begun in San Francisco, the event has spread internationally over the years and is celebrated in a number of cities worldwide—including Dublin, Ireland; Washington, D.C.; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Of course, Austin is no stranger to the similarly micro “pocket patio.” It has some of the permanent, or at least semi-permanent, converted spaces on Congress Avenue, designed by DWG and courtesy of merchants on the street. Now let’s see what we can do about the rest of the city.

This is Austin’s 15th Park(ing) Day. Participants in past projects have created parklets of different shapes, sizes, and uses, and this year will include 14 spots, primarily on Congress Avenue and in Hyde Park. The event takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spaces are listed and an be located on the map below.

PARK(ing) Day 2019 parklet locations

• 2900 block of Fruth Street
• AURA
• West Campus Neighborhood Association
• 900 block of Congress Avenue
• Nelsen Partners
• 600-700 blocks of Congress Avenue
• Capital Metro
• Austin Transportation Department
• Walk Austin Bike Austin
• 300 block of Congress Avenue
• Patagonia
• Wildland Conservation Division
• Jeff Beckage
• Patricia Schaub
• 1300 block of South Congress Avenue
• Asakura Robinson
• Spin
• lookthinkmake