They've quickly become part of the snowbound urban landscape of greater Boston - the old chairs, orange cones, cinder blocks and anything else meant to "save" a parking space on the street.
The space savers are embraced by car owners who feel they earned the right to the space after digging out their car.
The savers are equally despised by those who see them as an eyesores and an unfair attempt to claim a parking space on a public street.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has allowed the practice, but announced that on Monday, the city's Public Works Department will start removing space savers.
South Boston resident Justin Berneburg believes he should be able to keep the space he shoveled.
He said, "I spent about 16 hours shoveling this spot out, so I'd like to keep it, you know, as long as I can. If they do take the space saver, I'm not going to get mad or violent or anything, but I would like to keep it as long as possible."
South Boston resident KC McCormack said, "Judgment day. I knew it was coming. Nothing to freak out about like I've seen some people doing. Despite what people will say, there are places to park. It may not be right outside your apartment, but there is places to park. You;ve just got to find them."
While the practice is common in Boston, it's also cropped up in densely populated neighboring cities like Cambridge and Somerville, where residents also rely heavily on on-street parking.
