Want to create your own (temporary) public park and get funding from the city to do it?!

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is now accepting applications to turn on-street parking spaces into pop-up parks for its annual PARK(ing) Day event on September 15. Each year, residents, businesses, and organizations participate in the international PARK(ing) Day program to engage their communities in rethinking how streets can be used.

Through our Small Sparks Fund, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods can provide you up to $5,000 in matching funds to support your one-of-a-kind pop-up park! Funds can be used for outreach materials, park supplies, cultural activities, games, astroturf, and more.

Grant applications must be submitted by August 7 via our online application. If you are interested and have questions, please send an email to NMFund@seattle.gov or call (206) 233-0093.

In addition to our grant application, you will also need to submit a separate PARK(ing) Day application to the Department of Transportation (SDOT). It requires a site plan, location description, and documentation of neighbor notification. Completed SDOT applications or questions can be emailed to kadie.bell@seattle.gov.

More information about PARK(ing) Day, including FAQ and guidelines, can be found on SDOT’s website. They’ve also included a photo gallery of past PARK(ing) Day installations, so take a peek and get inspired!