Park(ing) Day 2017: Where you can find 28 mini parks in D.C.

This Friday, September 15, nearly 30 locations across Washington, D.C., will transform their parking spaces into small parks, otherwise known as parklets.

The parklets will only be available for a limited amount of time, in celebration for the annual, global event, PARK(ing) Day. This event first began in San Francisco by design studio Rebar in the year 2005. Since then, it has made traction, spreading to Philadelphia, Dublin, and of course Washington, D.C. This year, some of the parklets in the District will feature books and music as well as massages and snacks.

DCist reported that other cities in the D.C. area are getting involved, including Alexandria, Virginia, and Arlington, Virginia. To celebrate the event, the Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID) also hopes to make the parklet at 1501 Wilson Boulevard permanent when it returns in the spring of 2018.

In July 2015, Washington, D.C., similarly created its first long-term parklet at 2020 K Street NW. Gensler Architects designed the parklet, named "parKIT," after winning an in-house competition.

For a map of every parklet this year in D.C., check out the map below. The parklets will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Already, Washington, D.C., has made great efforts to remain a very green city. Here is a map of some of the best parks in the city, such as the National Arboretum and Meridian Hill Park.

In May 2017, the Trust for Public Land’s ranked the District number four out of 98 rankings for having one of the best top-ranking park systems in the nation.

While D.C. is also known as one of the worst U.S. cities for finding parking, allowing for more green spaces allows for more gathering places that can result in a higher quality of life.

Besides, it’s only one day without those aforementioned parking spaces. And it’s time to take a moment to relax outside and breathe in the fresh air.

• PARK(ing) Day Returns On Sept. 15. Here's Where To Find The Mini-Parks Around Town [DCist]

• Ranked: Best and Worst of U.S. Park Systems [Next City]

• The 10 worst U.S. cities for parking your car. Yes, D.C.'s on the list [Washington Business Journal]

• D.C.'s first long-term parklet to debut July 14 on K Street NW [Curbed DC]