Wilmington celebrates “Park”ing Day downtown

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Mini parks filled parking spaces throughout the streets of downtown Wilmington today.

It’s an international event called Parking day. Organizations took over parking spaces with their own creation of a little park to promote the use of urban space.

Wilmington Downtown Incorporated says the event started in San Francisco in 2005. This year Wilmington had 10 organizations that took up parking spaces all over downtown. WDI rented out the spaces from the city to promote the need for more urban parks.

Ariel Chornsbay with the Sustainability Technologies’ mini park says this concept works much better than a flyer.

“We’re taking up a parking spot that people aren’t used to seeing,” Chornsbay said. “They are used to seeing a car there. So, immediately that abnormality of the whole situation gives us the opportunity to speak directly to somebody about parks.”

City leaders have also pushed for more green space downtown. The city has bought land next to PPD for a park. The city has even considered turning the Water Street parking deck into a park.

This is the fourth year Wilmington has participated in the international event and WDI says they plan to continue taking part in the coming years.