Along with designing and building great public spaces, the city supports public space and placemaking activation programs and initiatives. These initiatives focus on temporarily transforming public spaces in ways that engage the community and highlight various uses for that space. A few examples of public space activation programs include Open Streets, neighborhood block parties, Parklets, Park(ing) Day, asphalt art, parking lot activations and more.
Current Public Space Activation Programs
Open Streets
Open Streets is a global initiative that focuses on temporarily converting streets to car-free spaces. There are various names across the world for this type of event, including Ciclovia and Sunday Parkways.
The City of Boise is sponsoring Open Streets Boise 2025, led by Boise Bicycle Project, which will take place on Sunday, September 28 along Ustick Road in Boise’s Winstead Park neighborhood. Open Streets Boise will transform Ustick Road – from Cole Road to Mountain View Drive – to a car-free, activated public space for the day. Join us and community partners to experience this family-friendly event, where people of all ages and abilities can safely walk, bike, and roll and participate in various activities and festivities along the route.
Park(ing) Day 2024
Join the city’s Mobility and Public Spaces team and other community partners to participate in Park(ing) Day in downtown Boise where parking spaces will be converted to temporary parklets for the community to enjoy. The event will take place on Friday, September 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The following organizations will be participating City of Boise, Downtown Boise Association, AIA Central Idaho, Stack Rock Group, Boise Bicycle Project, Valley Regional Transit, and ACHD Commuteride.
Send a Message to Planning
Thank you for your interest in the Planning division. Please fill out the form below and a representative will be in touch with you. If you are inquiring about a specific project, please include the record number or project address.