Some Chelsea residents kicked back today in a make-shift park created from parking spaces along Eight Avenue, as part of the Trust for Public Land's 2008 National Parking Day.

What started as a celebration of green spaces in San Francisco, California five years ago has grown into a worldwide movement to reclaim metered parking spaces for public art and recreation.

"This just kind of gets people thinking about how this space could be used better for pedestrians and bicyclists rather than motor vehicles, which are often privately-driven and privately-owned, especially in New York," said Lily Bernheimer, organizer of the Livable Streets Network.

"Central Park is great, but why not add a little more park and less parking," said a participant.

The temporary mini-parks were created in more than 80 cities and nine different countries.