Two downtown parking spots just became a new public park
What if we used the space we currently devote to parked cars for something else? DC’s first seasonal parklet, a mini park that takes the place of street parking spaces, opened on Tuesday.
The parKIT at its ribbon cutting ceremony. All photos by the author.
Called parKIT, the parklet is at 2020 K Street NW. While DC has had many temporary parklets to celebrate Park(ing) Day, the ParKIT will be semi-permanent, staying around until October.
ParKIT is a joint venture between DDOT, the District Department of the Environment, architecture firm Gensler, and the Golden Triangle BID. Its yellow triangles are a nod to the BID.
At the ribbon cutting, DDOE Director Tommy Wells commended all those involved for their willingness to consider a different use for space traditionally reserved for parking— removing parking spaces is undoubtedly the most controversial part of creating parklets. If parKIT is successful, it might become easier to create other parklets around the region.
The Golden Triangle BID will hold events at the parKIT every Tuesday from noon until 2:00 pm, with the theme of “making the city.”