Parking Day promotes green space

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — If you were out and about in downtown Wilmington Friday, you may have noticed some more green spaces than usual.

On Friday Wilmington celebrated Parking Day. This is the 5th consecutive year that Wilmington has participated in the event.

30 interactive parks appeared on city streets as artists, activists, planners, local businesses, and creative citizens took over metered parking spots to promote green and pedestrian-friendly urban spaces.

“It’s not a place for vendors come to try to sell things,” Wilmington Downtown, Inc. DREAM Committee Chair Stephen Whitney said. “It’s really a matter of letting people know about ideas and the ideas are important for downtowns develop and how different organizations work together to make our downtowns a better place to live.”

Dylan McDonnell participated in the event with New Hanover County Parks, Planning and Health.

“We’re promoting healthy, active lifestyles,” McDonnell said. “We’ve got some water out here to promote drink water instead of soda. We’ve got other activities like hula hoops and jump roping to promote being active and we’re outside today so we also want to promote being outside and enjoy the natural environment.”

The displays were mostly set up along Front Street with a few located on Chestnut and 2nd Streets.

Parking Day was started 11 years ago when an art and design studio in San Francisco wanted to raise awareness of the need for more open space in urban settings.

This year,  27 organizations in Wilmington participated to create 30 interactive spaces.