As a first year student, family and friends constantly ask when they can come down to visit and tour around campus. I am thrilled to share my new home with them, but wary of just one thing- parking.
For my family, it has been near impossible to find a free parking spot anywhere on grounds. This shortens my visits with my parents since they are forced to quickly drop me off at my dorm and keep going in order to avoid being ticketed or paying a fee at a garage.
After searching uva’s parking and transportation website, I’ve concluded that there really isn’t such a thing as free parking on grounds.
According to the parking and transportation website, visitors are “encouraged” to purchase a Temporary Blue Permit from the Parking and Transportation Office. This permit however is only permitted on lots surrounding university hall and JPJ. From there visitors must take UTS to get to main grounds.
Visitors can use the Central Grounds Garage and Culbreth Road Garage as well as various parking meters around Runk, O-Hill, Gilmer, and the AFC.
Game day is a whole different story. Parking gets much, much, more complicated. Visitors have several options- parking in Downtown garages, Parking in the U.Va Emmet/Ivy Garage and Health System Parking Garage South,University Hall and John Paul Jones Arena Parking Lots, Fontaine Research Park, and U.Va Lots throughout North Grounds.
Fees for the Downtown garages and Emmet/Ivy Garage and Health System Parking Gargage South are pretty pricy. Fees range from $5 at the lowest, up to $42, depending on when the game is. Even from these garages, you are required to walk or take a bus/trolley to the football field. With Foutaine Research Park, JPJ Parking Lots, and lots on North grounds, parking is free on a first come, first serve basis.
Parking on grounds has proven tricky so far but hopefully with more experience, I will gain a greater sense of where parking can actually be found.
Try the faculty lots after 5pm or on the weekends!
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