/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56740485/37311914195_2457b324ba_o_d.0.jpg)
Friday was Park(ing) Day in Seattle, which allowed citizens, businesses, and other groups to transform parking spots into activated spaces. It’s an opportunity not just to create some sweet hangout spaces, but to get really creative: past years have included bowling, ball pits, and even chickens.
This year, Park(ing) Day was part of the Seattle Design Festival, and everyone from small businesses to advocacy groups to design firms threw their hats in the ring. Or on the parking strip.
Here’s a selection of just a few out of 47 parklets that popped up all over the city last week.
A “pop-up bike lane” sprung up near Fremont.
In Belltown, people raced tiny boats on a tiny Lake Union.
Dahlia Bakery hosted a cake-decorating demonstration.
Cake decorating demo happening now at PARK(ing) day! #parkingdaySEA @seattledot @parkingdaySEA pic.twitter.com/UWB5Rjcz31
— Dahlia Bakery (@DahliaBakery) September 15, 2017
In Ballard, people built community with screenprinting.
Happy Park(ing) Day! Rad screenprint stop in Ballard. #parkingdaySEA #buildcommunities pic.twitter.com/6KMTrFKOC1
— Keiko Budech (@keikoanya) September 15, 2017
Frye Art Museum set up a mini printing press in First Hill.
Wow a typewriter, quill pen, and mini-printing press at @FryeArtMuseum #parkingdaySEA Terry & Columbia pic.twitter.com/Kt8cds7Kw9
— Cathy Tuttle (@CathyTuttle) September 15, 2017
At 23rd and Madison, Weisman Design Group set up a huge, modern see-saw...
Loving this teeter-totter on Madison near 23rd. #parkingdaySEA pic.twitter.com/ZgT96wmPUR
— Bridget Quigg (@BridgetQuigg) September 15, 2017
... and tetherball.
Schemata Workshop hosted a community table where people sat and ate together.
And the most popular option, as always: spaces to sit, relax, read, hang, and think.
The grandest #parkingdaySEA parklet - outside @fleurtseattle pic.twitter.com/0xYUfUbkVL
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 15, 2017
Happy PARK(ing) Day, everyone! Shoutout to @UDistrictSquare - what a great use of space! #parkingdaySEA pic.twitter.com/40VmVud6dj
— Rob Johnson (@CMRobJohnson) September 15, 2017