Public parking spaces were turned into everything from parks to painting studios Sept. 21, in downtown Knoxville. PARK(ing) Day, an internationally celebrated event, took place on Gay Street where citizens could be found contributing to paintings, playing games and simply relaxing in these transformed parking spaces.
Beginning in San Francisco in 2005, PARK(ing) Day aims to call attention to the need for more urban open spaces. The thought is that too much space is taken up by parking spots, taking away from potential social interactions that could occur in open spaces.
“Our park is filled with rescued native plants,” said Joy Grissom, one of the founders of Native Plant Rescue Squad. Her non-profit organization rescues native plants that are in the path of development. These parking spots provide open spaces for people to enjoy, and they can also help raise awareness to missions such as Grissom’s.
PARK(ing) Day will take place again next year, on the third Friday in September.
Joy Grissom, Founder of Native Plant Rescue Squad, is surrounded by native East Tennessee plants in her parking space.
Brynn Crowell, owner of Lox Salon
Kyle Ford of City of Refuge Inc.
Derek White, founder of Bird on the Wire Studios
Passers-by collaborate on a painting in the Lose Design parking space.
Matt Shearon, senior civil engineer of Lose Design