Every year on the third Friday in September, artists, designers and citizens – all around the world – bring a little cheer to urban streets by transforming metered parking spots into temporary public parks. Â The event is called PARK(ing) Day, and the Mid-City West Community Council is celebrating its 10th anniversary tomorrow, September 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with four pop-up parks in the Miracle Mile area. Â The parks, complete with plantings and seating, will each have a unique flavor inspired by their locations and sponsors. They include:
Melrose Village, 7753 Melrose Ave., on the north side of Melrose, west of Genessee Ave. This location is co-sponsored by the Melrose Business Improvement District, and will have arts & crafts for kids and adults as well as a wi-fi hotspot.
Miracle Mile Toys and Games, 5363 Wilshire Blvd. (north side of Wilshire, between Detroit and Cloverdale).  This mini park will feature plantings and seating, with a play zone for the kids, goodie bags, prizes and more.
District La Brea, on La Brea between First and Second Streets, will transform three full parking spaces with seating, a foosball game, ping-pong table, hosted food from TWIST, organic frozen treats from Front Porch Pops, a garden-themed art activity for children and adults, and graffiti artist Grimnasty, a finalist on Oxygen’s Street Art Throwdown, who will be create a gigantic visual vertical park/garden mural.
Open Space Cafe/Theater, 457 N. Fairfax (west side of Fairfax Ave., just south of Rosewood Ave.).The event is free and all sites are open to the public.  Volunteers are also needed at each of the parklets.  If you’d like to help out, sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/parking-day-in-mid-city-west-tickets-18146695254
