Cancelled 2022: Apply to build a temporary public park in Seattle

Cancelled in 2021 and 2022.

Seattle PARK(ing) Day happens only once a year, on the third Friday in September. This international event raises awareness about the importance of walkable, livable, and healthy cities and helps people re-think how our streets can be used. 

In Seattle, it’s an opportunity for anyone who wants to (temporarily) make parking spaces into parks. The City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) approves dozens of applications for parks around the city, each offering a fun and unique way to engage with the local community.

The original PARK(ing) Day was developed in San Francisco by Rebar and has grown into a global movement. This annual worldwide event brings together artists, designers, and citizens to transform metered parking spots into temporary public parks.

Apply to build a temporary public park for PARK(ing) Day

If you want to plan a PARK(ing) Day park, here’s what to do:

Note: The City of Seattle closed public-facing customer service counters on Monday, March 16, 2020 until further notice. This includes both the Street Use and the Traffic and Parking permit counters at the Seattle Municipal Tower on floors 23 and 37. However, they are still processing permit applications and you can submit applications for all permit types online through the Seattle Services Portal. They can also provide application coaching and assist with issuing permits by phone or e-mail. Follow the instructions below to apply.

• Read the guidelines. As the program has developed, some of the opportunities change a bit each year.
• Plan your park. Get together with friends, neighbors, colleagues, and family. Think about how to design and decorate your very own pop-up PARK.
• Submit an application by the deadline (usually sometime in late August).
• For more information or to apply, visit: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/permits-and-services/permits/parklet-permits and http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/public-space-management-programs/park(ing)-day
• Also: Parklet_Handbook_DIN_2017.pdf (seattle.gov)

Visit free pop-up parks in Seattle once a year

PARK(ing) Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the parklets and streateries that have opened in Seattle. The city no longer has a map on their website, but we found a few other sources:

• Seattle Is Getting Ten New Parklets, Here’s A Map To Find Them (curbed.com)
• Updating The Seattle Parklets Map With Three New Additions (curbed.com)

Visit Seattle Parklets and Streateries any time of year

Parklets and streateries are an outgrowth of PARK(ing) Day. These permanent oases provide a way for businesses and community groups to convert on-street parking into open space on a longer-term basis. Check out the Parklet and Streatery Program website for more information, including a map of parklet locations you can visit any time of year.