Buckhead will soon be loaded with pop-up parks for annual PARK(ing) Day

One week after downtown Atlanta celebrates National PARK(ing) Day, Buckhead leaders intend to host a larger parking space-repurposing extravaganza of their own.

On September 20, Central Atlanta Progress is expected to activate a handful of street parking spots downtown as pedestrian-friendly attractions, such as pop-up dining and gaming areas.

Then, on September 27, Buckhead’s iteration of the event will aim to take over dozens of parking spaces at Lenox Square and turn them into what Livable Buckhead leaders call “a patchwork of pop-up parks for one of the Southeast’s largest PARK(ing) Day celebrations.”

It would be Buckhead’s fifth annual PARK(ing) Day event.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 40 Lenox Square parking spots will be transformed by “some of Atlanta’s most creative minds” into a smattering of “mini-parks” with interactive elements for visitors, who will be able to vote on their favorites, officials announced this week.

Central Atlanta Progress

In years past, local businesses and organizations have created spaces like the “infinite forest”—imagine a tiny sea of greenery—a scaled-down version of Buckhead’s Blue Heron Nature Preserve, and even a pen for live goats.

This year, organizers expect the creativity to ramp up for the lunchtime event.

So-called “Park Rangers” from marketing agency Urban Enterprises will be milling about the crowd handing out vouchers for free King of Pops popsicles. Elsewhere, visitors will have a chance to make a putt for prizes, and apartment company AMLI is expected to bring a “succulent terrarium and seed-planting station.”

Patrons can also expect a “people-powered bus”—an effort by Georgia Commute Options to spotlight the importance of last-mile connectivity—and a miniature beach-themed hangout replete with palm trees and sand created by architecture firm HGOR.

Like the event in downtown and others nationwide, Buckhead’s PARK(ing) Day bash is expected to illustrate how the city’s abundant space used to stash cars could be better utilized for the community.