NASHUA — The second-largest city in New Hampshire is trying to remind residents that green space and environmental issues are real concerns that need to be brought into the forefront — or in this case, the storefront.

Representatives from Visualize Nashua are organizing Nashua’s first-ever Parking Day to run in conjunction with a worldwide Parking Day Sept. 21. The goal is to transform traditional downtown parking spaces into small parks, gardens or beautifully landscaped areas.

“We may be the first in New Hampshire to do something like this,” said Jim Vayo of Visualize Nashua.

Three downtown parking spaces in front of the Renaissance Downtown offices at 88 Main St. have been reserved for the new endeavor. Vayo said he is optimistic the community will become as enthusiastic about it as he is.

Visualize Nashua will transform one of the parking spaces into a miniature park, complete with a bench and possibly a community garden on Parking Day.

“This initiative is even more ambiguous than urban parks. It is really a big umbrella that covers all things environmental, and is about getting people aware of their surroundings,” said Vayo.

The two remaining parking spaces are still available for any business, organization or individual interested in re-purposing the parking stall into a creative space for 24 hours.

“It is a cool idea,” said Paul Shea of Nashua, who would like to incorporate his gardening skills into making a micro-community garden for at least one of the parking spaces next month.

According to Shea, the unusual project allows the city to focus on what it can become, not what it already is.

“The use of space is not always set in stone,” said Shea, explaining it is crucial to explore all of the possibilities of space — not just green space, but paved parking spaces.

Vayo would like the project to become an annual tradition, and is eager for downtown business owners to get involved.

Countrybrook Farms of Hudson has agreed to sponsor the event, and help provide plants and other necessary items that will be used to make the traditional parking stall into an environmental work of art.

According to the website promoting Parking Day throughout the nation and the world, “this event helps raise awareness of the various entities in the community while also showing people how the civic realm can be used in new and creative ways.”

Some previous parking transformations included patio sets, herb paths and landscaped space with public benches.

“It sounds like a really neat concept, and we are curious to see where it goes,” said Ali Manning of Great American Downtown in Nashua, noting Vayo is bringing exciting and innovative ideas into the Main Street area.

Although Great American Downtown did not participate because it is busy moving into new office space, Manning said her organization will likely become involved in future years.

“We want to keep the scope of it pretty small this year anyway, but we hope it will attract a lot of attention, and downtown businesses will want to incorporate sidewalk sales at this time next year,” said Vayo.

Vayo will be on hand the day of the event to talk with residents who stop by the mini-park, discussing with them the importance of green space even in cities like Nashua.

Anyone interested in participating in Parking Day is urged to contact Vayo at 718-8831, or jim@visualizenashua.com.

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Kimberly Houghton may be reached at khoughton@newstote.com.