There is a project in NYC to turn hydrant no-parking zones into mini parks. It seems like an interesting concept and if it works (meaning the plants don’t just die) then it might be a green-thing I support.

NoPark returns “no parking zones”—mostly those associated fire hydrant placement- -to low growth mosses and grasses. These micro engineered green spaces prevent storm water run off, use foliage to stabilize the soil, and to provide a durable low maintenance surface cover. These microparks continue to provide emergency parking space for fire trucks and exasperated Fresh-direct delivery persons.