Like many good things, Park(ing) Day, an annual event that inspires city dwellers to transform metered parking spots into temporary parks for the public good, started in San Francisco.

The project began in 2005 when Rebar, a San Francisco design studio, turned a single metered parking space into a temporary public park in downtown San Francisco.

Since 2005, PARK(ing) Day has evolved into a global movement, with organizations and individuals creating new forms of public space in urban settings.

The reason: to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out!

Today there’s a space in Park Slope on Seventh Avenue between 1st and 2nd Street. There are benches (donated by Tarzian) and plants. You can just sit there for a few minutes if you wish.

There’s also a space in Ditmas Park on Cortelyou Road. Report back if you know of any others.