San Antonio joins in global Park(ing) Day plan

Flashback: The Rebar Group, a former design firm, launched the project in San Francisco in 2005.

By the numbers: It has since grown into a global movement, with 162 participating cities across 35 countries.

How it works: Groups pay for street parking spaces to set up temporary green spaces for installations where people can relax, create or connect.

The big picture: This year's theme, Parking Reform Activism, explores how communities can rethink and reclaim urban spaces in the post-pandemic era.

Zoom in: Centro San Antonio is partnering with the 80|20 Foundation to activate Houston Street from N. Main Avenue to Laredo Street. The street will be closed to cars from noon to 4pm Friday.

• The San Antonio River Authority is one of this year's participating groups. Its spot will showcase native plants to highlight the importance of nature in urban spaces.

What they're saying: Park(ing) Day's vision of creating more accessible and welcoming downtown spaces reflects Centro's goal on a global scale, Centro CEO Trish DeBerry said in a statement.

• "Park(ing) Day reflects how a downtown can be utilized when it is built, maintained and activated for the community," she said.