Remember that most beginning-of-the-year parking challenges are temporary…or manageable.
The beginning of a new academic year always brings with it a period of time when many faculty, staff, and students search for an ideal place to park for the year. Keep in mind that the parking system will stabilize over time as permit holders become familiar with their schedules and available parking options. Remember, too, that adjusting your arrival time on campus may make a difference in the competition you face for a parking space.
Don’t assume that the best parking choice is the one closest to your destination.
The fact is parking congestion is greater in some parts of campus than in others. Around The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, proximate parking fills quickly daily and generally stays full. With this in mind, you may want to look for another garage or lot that may be readily available and only a few additional minutes from your destination.
Generally, West Lane Avenue and Gateway Garages have spaces available when other garages do not. Likewise, the Scarlet, Gray, Riverbank, and Vivian Lots have space available as well. On West Campus, space is available in the lots along Kinnear Road. There is always plenty of space available on campus!
Allow extra time.
Everything takes a little longer on campus during the first weeks of a new semester! Parking on campus is no different. Allow some extra time to find parking to reduce your frustration and minimize chances of being late for an appointment.
Park once.
This is good advice no matter what time of year. If you need to be at various locations on campus throughout the day, leave your car where you parked it and either walk or jump on a CABS bus to get there. It’s also good for the environment…and possibly your pedometer!
Check SpaceTracker before you leave for campus.
SpaceTracker provides estimated real-time parking garage availability and is located on the CampusParc home page, OSU Mobile App, and OneSource.
Please note: Available spaces may include unoccupied ADA Accessible and reserved spaces located within the garage.
Make sure your permit is current and linked to the correct vehicle(s).
The new permit year began August 1, and if you do not have a current permit on record, you will be required to pay the hourly rate when parking in a campus garage or surface lot. Therefore, make sure you have renewed or purchased a permit, and make sure the vehicle you park on campus is linked to your permit. You can manage your account online.
Let CampusParc help if we can.
The CampusParc website is an excellent resource for maps, surface lot and garage access charts, how-to-guides, and much more! Additionally, our Customer Care staff is available via email osuinfo@campusparc.com, by phone at 614.688.0000, or at Customer Care, located in the Gateway Plaza at 1560 N. High St.
