Councilwoman Laura Pastor Invites Community to Experience Park(ing) Day in Downtown Phoenix

PHOENIX — Councilwoman Laura Pastor is inviting community members to experience Downtown Phoenix a little differently this Friday as Park(ing) Day transforms a block of 3rd Street into temporary public spaces designed for people instead of cars.

On Friday, September 18, 11 metered parking spaces along 3rd Street, between Fillmore and Van Buren streets, will feature shade and seating, art, games, a pop-up dog run, a pedal-powered coffee cart and other activities. Park(ing) Day runs from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Councilwoman Pastor and District 4 will join Urban Phoenix Project and organizations from across the Valley in transforming individual parking spaces to demonstrate how public street space can be used in different ways.

Park(ing) Day began in San Francisco in 2005 and has since grown into an annual event observed in cities around the world. The concept invites people to temporarily transform traditional parking spaces into places to gather, interact and imagine different ways public space can serve a community.

Participation in Park(ing) Day continues the partnership between Councilwoman Pastor and Urban Phoenix Project to promote active transportation in Phoenix. The two have worked together on Phoenix Bike to Work Day, and Park(ing) Day provides another opportunity to encourage people to rethink how they move around the city and how public street space can support more transportation options.

Park(ing) Day 2026 is hosted by Urban Phoenix Project and Valley Urban Action Alliance.

For more information about PARK(ing) Day 2026, visit www.urbanphoenixproject.org/parkingday2026.

Park(ing) Day 2026
Friday, September 18, 2026
8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
3rd Street, between Fillmore Street and Van Buren Street
The event is free and open to the public.