Parking space — the cause of too many headaches. But what if those 8x20 ft road boxes could be sources of joy instead of frustration? Kansas City is looking to do just that with its first ever PARK(ing) Day Festival.

What is PARK(ing) Day?

Think: a block party with a purpose. PARK(ing) Day originated in San Francisco in 2005 as a public art project. The goal was to reimagine a parking space — resulting in a tiny, urban park. The outcome was a hit, and fans around the world began to recreate the idea. A year later, the creators launched PARK(ing) Day as a way to “reclaim urban space from cars, one parking space at a time.”

Kansas City is hosting its first-ever PARK(ing) Day this year on Sat., Sept. 18, organized by the Downtown Neighborhood Association. The goal is to advocate for more pedestrian-friendly spaces.

What to expect

Walk, don’t drive. Walnut Street will be closed to traffic between 9th and 12th streets on Sept 18. However, cars going on 10th or 11th Street will be able to get across the festival area. The event hub will be in the Oppstein Brothers Memorial Park on the corner of 12th and Walnut. Food and drink trucks + bathrooms will be stationed at the north and south ends.

How can I join the fun?

Anyone can enter the fest for free from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., furry friends included. If you want to have your own parklet, about a dozen spaces are still available. You can register for $10 on the festival website. Anyone can host a parklet, including citizens, businesses, and organizations. The winner of The Best Parklet goes home with a “coveted Golden Cone.”

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