SACRAMENTO, CA – On September 20, 2025, activists from Strong SacTown transformed 4 parking spots into public seating and a social space just outside of the #1 farmers market in California, the Midtown Farmers Market. Over 100 community members participated between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It took just under 500 sq. ft. to create a welcoming space for people to sit and relax, including wooden benches, shade coverings, turf, tables, bike parking, a bike repair station, an art station, and engaging infographics about California’s new daylighting law.
Volunteers Strong SacTown educated visitors on the new daylighting law in CA (AB 413, Lee) and how its implementation could be used to increase safety for people walking. Many visitors were unaware of the new law despite it going into effect in January 2025 and were prompted to think of other public uses for these now-removed parking spaces.
To provide seating for market-goers, community members had built eight wooden benches and set up folding tables and chairs. The benches were full within the first hour of set-up and stayed occupied until the market ended. Instead of storing three or four cars during the duration of the market, these temporarily converted parking spots hosted almost 100 community members who were able to sit in shade, meet new people, and enjoy the locally-made food and drinks they just purchased.
Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA), a local bike advocacy group, supplied bike racks and a bike-powered spin art machine, which provided art and secure bike parking for farmers market visitors. Sacramento Bike Punks, a local volunteer bike repair group, provided free bike tune-ups for visitors while they enjoyed the market.
The success of this event demonstrates that there is a demand for people-centered infrastructure in Sacramento. Strong SacTown believes that daylighting provides the opportunity to transform unused pavement into community spaces that will enrich our urban landscape. We call upon the Midtown Farmers Market, the City of Sacramento, and the community to engage with the potential that removing parking spaces creates.
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