Happy Park(ing) Day 2012

When you're car-dependent, there never seems to be enough parking. But when you're carfree, every surface parking lot is a scab on the cityscape, and street parking represents other people endlessly circling to find that elusive space 10 minutes after the happily carfree are already at the party.

Speaking of parties, little parties will be breaking out all over the globe today for Park(ing) Day. Since 2005, artists, designers, and everyday citizens have taken this once-a-year opportunity to transform metered parking spaces into temporary mini public parks.

Event founder Rebar Art & Design Studio plans a bike tour of SF sites starting at 2 p.m. from 3330 20th St. in the Mission District. Meanwhile, the LA Times offered this preview of some sites to check out.

There's even a Park(ing) Day T-shirt, and it's awesome.

Check out photos and news on Twitter via @parkingday and #parkingday.