Dallas Turning Parking Spaces Into Parks

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A few parking meters in downtown Dallas are out of commission today. They're being used as parks instead. It's part of "National Parking Day."

Organizers say adding some temporary green space can make the city a little more inviting.

KRLD's Steven Pickering Reports:

"It's creating a space where anyone and everyone come down and mingle and learn a little bit more about each other and  the city around us," said Noah Jeppson, who worked on the project.

A few dozen metered spaces along Main Street are now off-limits to cars for today only, and each miniature park has its own theme. "It's really a challenge in creativity to see what we can accomplish – everything from a miniature museum to a walking trail," Jeppson said. "There's even a pumpkin patch in downtown today. It creates an area for people to congregate and question how we can better our environment."

Several businesses and neighborhood groups took the time to decorate individual parking spaces. Staffers from Architexas set up a sculpture garden. "It teaches people that art can be incorporated into everyday life and it's not something that needs to be hands-off. It can be a fun and engaging activity," said employee Emily Simon. "It's a way to get people out and looking around and seeing the different types of opportunities that are available downtown, and things that we can do to change it."

Organizers hope Friday's demonstration will lead to changes in city regulations to make it easier for businesses and neighborhoods to set up these types of small parks they believe can make a big difference in the city's quality of life.