Residents and Businesses Invited to Transform Parking Spaces into Miniature Parks for Dubuque’s First Park(ing) Day 

July 14, 2023

The City of Dubuque Sustainability Office is partnering with Dubuque Main Street to hold the first Park(ing) Day in Dubuque. Residents and businesses are invited to participate by transforming designated parking spaces into temporary “parklets” or miniature parks. The event will be held on Friday, Sept. 15, and Saturday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. in the following locations:

• Main St. from 5^th St. to 11^th St.
• Central Ave. from 14^th St. to 19^th St.
• Washington St. from 9^th St. to 11^th St.

Park(ing) Day is an event held annually on the third weekend in September in cities around the world to encourage people to transform parking spaces into temporary public spaces. 

The City’s Sustainability Office is co-sponsoring Park(ing) Day as part of its 50% by 2030 Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, which identifies strategies to strengthen Dubuque’s tree canopy and green space, mitigate urban heat island impacts, and reduce community greenhouse gas emissions. The event is part of Sustainable Dubuque’s education and outreach efforts tied to these goals.

“Park(ing) Day provides an opportunity for people to reimagine streets,” said the City’s Climate Action Coordinator Amanda Lewis. “To think about how things like tree canopy and shade, seating, public art, and green space influence how and where you travel in Dubuque.” 

Participants will temporarily repurpose curbside parking spaces into public parks and social spaces to advocate for safer, greener, and more equitable streets for people. Each parking space is approximately 8 ft. x 20 ft. and allowable items include trees, flowers, seating, games, shade structures, and more. The miniature parks should be set up and ready for visitors by 9:50 a.m. Participants are encouraged to invite their friends and family to help create and visit the parklets during the two-day event.

For more information and to register to create your own (Park)ing Day miniature park, visit www.sustainabledubuque.org/parking-day.  For questions, contact Amanda Lewis at alewis@cityofdubuque.org or 563-690-6051.

For more information on the 50% by 2030 Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, visit https://www.sustainabledubuque.org/50by2030-about.