Photos: Dallas participated in PARK(ing) Day on Friday

by Teresa Gubbins

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International event reclaimed parking spaces.

DALLAS — Dallas joined other cities around the world on Friday in a typographically challenging event called PARK(ing) Day, in which 30 participants turned parking spaces in downtown Dallas into little parks.

As founded in San Francisco in 2005, the event was a power-to-the-people kind of thing, with activists taking over the spaces to underscore how much room goes to parking cars.

Six years later, the event that hit Dallas was less protesty, with participants that included D Magazine, the Dallas Center For Architecture, and even the City of Dallas' parks department staff. Other organizations included retail businesses, arts groups, and students.

The official start time was 11 a.m. The biggest critical mass seemed to be on Main Street between Akard and Ervay; since traffic was not blocked off, driving through the area slowed to a crawl. Three adjacent spaces designed by UT Arlington students drew admirers, including one colorful one made from "pool noodles."

In Deep Ellum, about a dozen spaces were transformed by businesses and neighborhood groups. There reportedly were spaces done in the Arts District, as well, though they weren't evident at 2 p.m.

Participants seemed enthusiastic, but some businesses said they'd not been informed. Steve Paul, who owns a recording studio on Main Street, said he didn't find out about it until the day before.

"I like events like this, but for me what would have been great is if I could have told my clients about it," he said. "Instead of it being a positive, I'm wondering where my clients will park. I love it when they do festivals, but it would be good to have enough lead time so I can adjust my schedule."

Architexas, an architecture firm that offices near the Farmers Market, scrambled to set up a space after finding out about it at the last minute.

"We probably would've done something more elaborate if we'd known about it earlier," said staffer John Allender.

Country Dwain from Texas Hydroponics saw it as an opportunity to sit outside on a nice Friday. "I'm enjoying a glass of wine," he said.

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