PHOTOS: The Best Park(ING) Day Pop-Up Parks in NYC

We have to give props to the Upper East Side for having this year’s best <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/parking-day-nyc-mini-parks-pop-up-across-manhattan/">Park(ING) Day</a> pop-up parks in NYC. We spotted two standout reclaimed parking spaces in the Manhattan nabe that had been transformed into community welcoming centers! Read on to see these unique <a href="http://parkingday.org/" target="_blank">Park(ING) Day</a> designs which include Brendan Warford and Linda Mendoza's seesaw installation just outside the Guggenheim and Hunter College and Build it Green!'s green forum for students.

Located on Lexington Avenue at 68 th Street, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HunterGUAPA/info" target="_blank">GUAPA</a>, or the graduate student organization of the Dept of Urban Affairs and Planning at Hunter College, took back the street, building a sitting area just across from the 6 train entrance.

Welcoming benches made from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/help-these-handicapped-cats-by-building-them-a-meowhaus-to-live-in/" target="_blank">recycled shipping pallets</a> from <a href="Build it Green" target="_blank">Build it Green</a>, were set up to take a break and have a cup of coffee or catch up with other students.

[gallery_extend]....<br><br><a href='https://inhabitat.com/photos-the-best-parking-day-pop-up-parks-in-nyc/'>READ ARTICLE</a>

But aside from turning a street space into a public one, the Hunter students also wanted their fellow students to give them their green wish lists for the college.

Passersby were asked to sign a list with their green innovation ideas for the school, or engage in green conversation with one of the representatives.

Over on Museum Mile, <a href="http://theonlybirdsthatneversleep.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Cloud Park</a> popped up in the prime location- a spot right across from the Guggenheim!

Designed by Brendan Warford and Linda Mendoza, dozens of light blue balloons adorn either side of a matching seesaw.

Passersby are invited to take a ride, like in a kid’s playground. They are also invited to take a balloon, which each come with an accompanying quote from history.

We’re looking forward to next year’s Park(ING) Day and hope that more environmental and installation artists cease this incredible opportunity to transform a parking spot into a pop-up park!