Parking spaces to turn into temporary parks in downtown Wilmington
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -No meters, just parks. That’s what will happen in downtown Wilmington on Friday, September 16.
Wilmington is participating in an international event known at PARK(ing) Day. Thirty interactive parks will appear on city streets from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. as artists, activists, planners, local businesses, and creative citizens will take over metered parking spots to promote green and pedestrian-friendly urban spaces.
It’s Wilmington’s 5th consecutive year taking part.
Groups will install pop-up displays to serve as a temporary park or gathering spot for folks to enjoy.
Wilmington Downtown Incorporated is sponsoring the event. Each parking space is being rented from the City and a variety of displays will be erected.
“This year’s PARK(ing) Day has attracted record-breaking interest,” said Steve Whitney, Chair of WDI’s Dream Committee. “We have an impressive array of organizations and businesses involved and Downtown workers, shoppers, residents and visitors may be surprised at the sophistication and content of the displays.”
Displays will be installed mostly along Front Street, with a few located on Chestnut and 2nd Streets.
Participating businesses and organizations include: NHC Waste Management, Terra Sol Sanctuary Yoga Studios, Residents of Old Wilmington, Historic Wilmington Foundation, Bellamy Mansion, NHC Departments of Health, Planning, Parks and Recreation Cape Fear Museum, Ability Gardens, Carolina Composting and the Council US Green Building Council.
Other participants includeLS3P Architects, Monteith Construction, Thalian Hall, Wave Transit, Paws Place, Wilmington Area Realtors Association, City of Wilmington Department of Public Information, Feast Downeast, Wilmington Green, Our Move, WHQR Radio, Outdoor Equipped, Full Belly Project, CFCC Sustainable Technologies, Plastic Ocean Project, Tayloe Gray Kristoff Digital Marketing, and the New Hanover County Library.
Several landscape companies including, Lowe’s Home Improvements, Tinga Nursery and The Transplanted Garden are lending plants and other landscaping materials to help with the displays.
Last year Wilmington celebrated PARK(ing) Day with 26 organizations.
This year’s event has grown to 30 spaces currently featuring 27 organizations.
For more information about the international PARK(ing) Day event, click here.
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