‘Alice in Wonderland’ and paint-by numbers: Kensington parking stalls transformed Friday

More than a dozen parking spots in northwest Calgary were transformed into interactive art exhibits on Friday.

The city’s fourth annual PARK(ing) Day took place on Kensington Road Northwest between 10A Street and 11 Street from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m.

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During that time, 19 curbside parking spots were temporarily turned into interactive urban spaces.

According to the City of Calgary, the project aims to encourage critical thought about how public spaces can be used.

“As cities become more crowded, the value we place upon small spaces is increasing,” Kate Zago with the City of Calgary said in a news release.

 “PARK(ing) Day is a great opportunity for Calgarians to think about how we use our public spaces, big and small, and how community members can transform their neighbourhoods in quick and easy ways.”

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Among the interactive installations this year were one that pulled inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, a 1970s rumpus room, and an oversized paint-by-number for participants to colour.

PARK(ing) Day began in 2005 when a single metered parking space in San Francisco was changed into a temporary park. Now, it is celebrated across the globe on the third Friday of September.