In partnership with the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT), the Civic Design Center is shutting down the block in front of Donelson Plaza (well—part of it anyway) to celebrate reclaiming public space for pedestrians and unveil the new parklet in front of the Bagelshop.

We have been hosting PARK(ing) Day in Nashville for 12 years. New to PARK(ing) Day? PARK(ing) Day is a global, public, participatory art and design project which started in San Francisco in 2005. It is a day where people across the globe temporarily repurpose street parking spaces into tiny parks and places for art, play, and activism. Learn more about past interventions in Nashville.

Since NDOT had recently released the new Parklet Permit, last year we decided to host a design competition to support the creation of the very first permanent parklet instead of focusing our efforts on pop-ups. In our 2nd year of the Parklet Design Competition, we are not only bringing another permanent parklet to Nashville, but we are committed to celebrating the Donelson community where the parklet is being built. We couldn’t do it without Hardaway Construction, whose team is donating time and materials to bring this parklet to the neighborhood.

Please see the Vendor Map Below!
Community Partners: Choose How You Move, Donelson Gateway Project, Donelson Library, Donelson Run Club, Healing Art Project Inc, Nashville Moves, NDOT

Confirmed Vendors: Bagelshop (naturally), Aviate Press, Bowtie Barber Club, Cold Brew Boba, Hibbs Hunt Vintage, PHAT BITES, Pink Pizzza Portraits, Plus Closet, Smiling Frog Farm, Rebekah Turshen (Pastries), Ugly Duck Vintage, Yoga Muttz Movement Lounge, and more to come!

Musicians: Liam Bauman, Emilio Gonzalez, Michael Witt, and special guest, Sean McNamara with Nosey Flynn

Thanks to our sPonsors!

The mission of PARK(ing) Day is 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!

This year, we are promoting the use of our city space to advocate for Housing as a Public Right.

Over 20 Design-Build Groups are creating one-day installations inspired by prompts that were developed by local housing and homelessness experts. Check out the map below to review the prompts and the location for each Design-Build Group’s installation.

Schedule

• 9:00 am: PARK(ing) Day Opens

• 10:00 am: Judging Opens

• 10:30 am: City Representative Remarks at Butler's Run

• 10:45 am: Parklet Tour Begins

• 3:00 pm: Judging Closes

• 5:00 pm: PARK(ing) Day Closes

Map

Skyline Social attendance is required to participate in PARK(ing) Day Nashville 2022.

Due to the nature of this year’s official theme, Housing as a Public Right, attendance at Skyline Social will be required for those interested in being a parklet builder for PARK(ing) Day Nashville 2022 (September 16th). If your company is participating and/or you are collaborating with a group, there should be at least 1 representative in attendance to secure a prompt and a parking space.

What’s up with that?

This year, all parking spaces will correspond with a prompt under the theme. Those prompts have been created by 15 local Housing and Homelessness Experts. Each expert will have 3 unique educational or design-solution oriented prompts for you to select from and they will be first-come first-served! Skyline Social will also be the only time for you to consult with the Housing and Homelessness Experts about their prompts; they will be sharing resources and answering questions to support your creative process.

Check Out the Prompts Now!

Prompts are released early so that you can make a shortlist of Experts you would like to speak to at Skyline Social. If there is a specific prompt you are interested in securing, we recommend that you make a beeline to the corresponding expert's table as soon as the informational presentation has concluded. 

Scroll Down to RSVP!

Not sure if you should RSVP? Learn more about PARK(ing) Day here.

If you are not able to attend, please get in touch with us by emailing veronica at civicdesigncenter dot org.

Participating Housing and Homelessness Experts

• Edward Henley III, Affordable Housing Taskforce Co-Chair

• The Contributor

• Metro Development and Housing Agency

• Nashville Promise Zone

• The Housing Fund

• Open Table Nashville

• People Loving Nashville

• Populace Community Strategy

• Rooftop Nashville

• Room in the Inn

• Workers’ Dignity

• Urban Housing Solutions

• Beth Shinn, Vanderbilt University

Venue Partner

What is PechaKucha?

Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of "chit chat", PechaKucha rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds (6 minutes and 40 seconds each). It's a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace.

More About the Theme

Housing design is important, but it isn’t a basic need. So many people are left wondering whether or not they will be able to pay rent or find a bed to sleep in that night. Design, beauty, and comfort are NOT necessary elements to get through the next day, week, or month. We have often seen public housing or affordable housing developments that cut corners on design to save money. Perhaps those corners are cut with the knowledge that people who need housing right now don’t have the luxury to be selective about its design. However, we know that homes are emotional—they can not only feel more functional, but also livable when they are well designed.

Doesn’t everyone deserve a safe space and a house to call their own?

Schedule

5:30 pm-Mingling, drinks, and snacks

6:00 pm-Presentations Begin

6:30 pm-Beer Break!

6:45 pm-Presentations Continue

Presenters

Brian Tibbs, Moody Nolan

Kelsey Oesmann, Urban Housing Solutions

Amanda Loper, David Baker Architects

Nicole Rowan, Rebuilding Together

Judith Seaman, Auburn Rural Studio

Veronica Foster, Civic Design Center

Lori Bell, EOA

Mona Hodge, Smith Gee Studio

Andrew Wolthers, Catalyst Design Group

Laura Hollier, HASTINGS

Tickets to Attend

Event Partner

Save the date for the Golden Cone Awards, the Annual PARK(ing) Day celebration!

Come decked out in gold, maybe with a matching gold mask, and watch as PARK(ing) Day participants discover if they have won an award for their installation. Afterparty will be at Gray & Dudley in Banker’s Alley.

Schedule

5:30 pm - Mix and Mingle at Church Street Park
5:45 pm - Awards Ceremony
6:15 pm - Public Space Parade to Banker’s Alley and Black Rabbit
6:25 pm - Alley Celebration (with drinks for purchase)

You can see all of the parklet displays digitally on Instagram Reels and follow the awards on Instagram Live if you’d rather stay home!

Help us kickoff PARK(ing) Day Nashville 2021!

**NOTE THERE’S BEEN A VENUE CHANGE TO EAST NASHVILLE.**

In Davidson County, we are excited to promote the extension of the sidewalk cafe permit as one positive result of the pandemic. Due to this extension, we are eager to partner with businesses, designers, and builders who are willing to host longer-term parklets to encourage more parklet infrastructure in Nashville. 

This year, at Skyline Social, you will not only claim your spot, but also meet your parklet partners to begin planning your creative structures. 

Resources

Read the Blog: Why and How to Implement a Parklet for Your Business

Learn more about PARK(ing) Day

Our Partners

PARK(ing) Day is an internationally recognized event where parking spots in various cities and towns are transformed into pocket parks and parklets. The mission of PARK(ing) Day is 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!

Learn More About PARK(ing) Day

Suggested Parklet Build Zones

The Civic Design Center reserves locations throughout Nashville with Metro Nashville Public Works. The map below shows recommended locations where the Design Center is encouraging parklet builds for PARK(ing) Day 2020. The red spots have been already been claimed by other parklet builder teams. If you are not in Nashville or have concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, you may also submit a parklet concept design to be considered for a Golden Cone Award! 

Sign up for PARK(ing) Day 2020

COVID-19 Updates

After 8 years of successfully hosting Park(ing) Day on in Nashville the Civic Design Center will be encouraging a departure from its traditional PARK(ing) Day methodology to accommodate physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to Rebar’s original PARK(ing) Day Manual, the Civic Design Center is including PARK(ing) Day Health Guidelines to parklet builders and designers during the pandemic. Download the new manual and see how we will be adapting in order to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggestions and additional safety measures. 

The last Day to register is September 7th 2020.

More PARK(ing) Day Resources

#PARKingDayNash

Come join the Civic Design Center for the annual kick-off to PARK(ing) Day -- Skyline Social. Claim your spot and begin planning your creative and engaging parklets. This year, we are excited to unveil new options for parklet locations!