PARK(ing) Day Dallas 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PARK(ing) Day & Night — Over 75 Tiny Parks Take Over Downtown Dallas & Deep Ellum on Friday, September 16th

DALLAS, Texas – June 2016 – Every third Friday in September, a portion of Main Street in Downtown is temporarily transformed in an effort to demonstrate a better use of public space.

This annual event promotes social interaction, civic engagement, critical thinking and creativity through individual generosity and play in over 30 countries and 160 cities across the world, in a unified movement called “Park(ing) Day”.

This year marks Dallas’ sixth year participating in PARK(ing) Day. On Friday, September 16, 2016 city-dwellers will transform permitted on-street parking spaces into dozens of tiny parks stretching several blocks along Main Street, between Field & Harwood in Downtown Dallas.

This year also marks Dallas’ first year extending the event into Deep Ellum at night, taking over a small cluster of parking spaces along Main Street, between Crowdus and Pryor, in Deep Ellum.

Metered parking spaces along Main street will be closed to cars and opened for public use. Dozens of tiny parklets will pop-up in parking spaces transformed by artists, designers, architects, activists, businesses and residents.

“PARK(ing) Day gives people a chance to see our city in new ways,” said Jessica Martinez Co-Organizer of PARK(ing) Day Dallas. “More importantly, it sends a message to developers and city planners we want a more walkable, vibrant city.”

Visitors are encouraged to learn, play and interact within these pint-sized parks from 11:00am to 6:00pm in Downtown Dallas and from 6pm to midnight in Deep Ellum.

“DDI is proud to support PARK(ing) Day Dallas. We look forward to the event every year because it’s fun and it emphasizes the importance of positive activation of public space in our downtown districts while enhancing the community of workers and residents.” says Doug Prude, Economic Development & Planning Analyst of Downtown Dallas, Inc.

This abundance of pint-sized parklets are meant to entertain, give respite, raise awareness and beautify the city.

“The Deep Ellum Foundation is really excited for Park(ing) Day to come to Deep Ellum! We think it's the perfect opportunity to explore new ways to use a parking space. It's a great way to start a conversation about innovation, walkability and urban design,” says Jessica Burnham the Executive Director of Deep Ellum Foundation. “We also think it's a perfect timing that Park(ing) Day falls right in the middle of our Reimagine Crowdus event for the month of September. The idea of reimagining a space for a more usable place is what's needed in our city!”

The event aims to attract residents, office workers and visitors and to expose them to a host of activities including music and dance performances, games, areas for people to gather, relax, work and socialize for the day. Passersby can experience a wide range of themed parks including a little public library, Rube Goldberg Machine, yoga studio, mini garden, interactive games, art gallery and more.

PARK(ing) Day Dallas 2016 participants include:

Dallas Public Library, Dallas Maker Space, HKS, BC Workshop, Omniplan, AIGA - DFW, Gensler, Corgan, Complete Landsculpture, The Trust for Public Land, North Central Texas American Planning Association, University of Arlington SASLA (Student chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architecture), McCarthy Building Companies, Freese and Nichols, Page Southerland Page, Inc., UNT System, UNT Dallas College of Law, Iron Cactus, pinkyswear.org, Local Hub, B4, Rocketfizz, A Room With A Clue, High & Tight Barbershop, 2ND THURSDAY, Richland College, Downtown Dallas Neighborhood Association, Cedars Open Studios, Cedars Neighborhood Association, E. Calloway Management, Et Cetera, ParkHub, Marsh USA Inc, Edwin Brantley Smith & Associates, Associa, Jason Designs, Bonton Farms, YikStyles, Melissa Patino Yoga & Meditation

There is still time for businesses, organizations and individuals to register to transform a  parking space. Registration ends September 9th. Register Here

PARK(ing) Day Dallas is a free public event organized by community volunteers. Entertainment is curated by Deep Dallas and will showcase 20+ local entertainers featured at three performance areas in Downtown and Deep Ellum.

Additional event details can be found at parkingdaydallas.org/general-information

Sponsors: Downtown Dallas Inc., Deep Ellum Foundation, Simple Media, Deep Dallas

Neighborhood Sponsors: Magnolia Hotel, High & Tight

Other Resources / Contacts:

Facebook: facebook.com/parkingdaydallas

Instagram: @parkingdaydallas

Twitter: @parkingdaydal

Official Hashtag: #parkingdaydallas

Media Contact: Doug Prude 214-542-9526 // doug@parkingdaydallas.org
PARK(ing) Day Dallas website: parkingdaydallas.org
PARK(ing) Day website: parkingday.org