PHOTOS: New Yorkers Take to the Streets to Celebrate PARK(ing) Day!

There were a few less parking spots in the city yesterday, and while many drivers certainly grumbled about it, we couldn't have been happier. In fact, yesterday was one of our favorite events of the year -- PARK(ing) Day! Now in its sixth year, PARK(ing) Day is a world wide event where citizens take over metered parking spots and turn them into temporary open spaces. The goal is to promote better urban design and call attention to our need for more green space. This year, nearly four dozen spots throughout New York's five boroughs have been transformed into playful parks ranging from yoga studio extensions to composting demonstrations, and we hit the streets to check 'em out!

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The temporary public spaces provide a breath of fresh air and much-needed relief from NYC’s crowded streets and sidewalks. This year’s participants ranged from small local business like Pillow Cafe to mega-institutions like Fordham University, with each bringing their own unique take on how we can better use our public space. Near McCarren Park in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Hosh Yoga studio lined their spot with yoga mats and prepared to host a morning meditation. A pot of fresh coffee and a few chairs attracted numerous passers-by to stop and say hello.

In Long Island City, a group from the Queens Botanical Gardens set up a composting station to showcase the NYC Compost Project, complete with a worm composting bin. The crew had information on how-to compost at home, and told us pretty much everything we’ve ever wanted to know about worms — including the ultra-creepy fact that a type of worm in Africa can reach up to 22 feet long.

We’ll be visiting a lot more spots throughout the day, so stay tuned for more picture! If you’ve visited any in the city, feel free to send our pictures to editor [at] inhabitat.com.

+ PARK(ing) Day NYC

+ PARK(ing) Day

+ Past Park(ing) Day Coverage on Inhabitat