Dawg fans’ yearly challenge: Athens parking
Parking at UGA football games has always been tough and it seems to get more difficult each year as surface lots are eaten up by new construction, though new parking decks have been added.
Over at DawgsOnline, they have a rundown on today’s rush to buy season parking spaces in the four UGA campus decks at a cost of $120, which is pretty much the going rate of $20 per game for parking within a 20-minute walk of Sanford Stadium. (Lots farther away charge $15 or even $10.)
After an early computer glitch was cleared up, DawgsOnline reports, the Hull Street Deck quickly sold out and by midmorning the South Campus deck also was gone, leaving just the North Campus and Carlton Street (Stegeman Coliseum) decks available.
(A couple of new decks are under construction and scheduled for fall completion, one at the Intramural Fields off College Station Road and another near the Performing and Visual Arts Center on East Campus, but since they’re being done by the same general contractor involved in the deck that recently collapsed in Atlanta, campus officials are going to be inspecting them, as well as the other decks.)
I tried parking in the Carlton Street deck one game about five years ago, when the church lot I’d been in for a few seasons suddenly decided to get out of the game day parking biz. (Unlike a lot of church lots, that one allowed alcohol and apparently some drunken louts had trashed their restrooms the previous season. Ironically, the language in that lot used to get pretty raw, too, which bothered my Dad, who was tailgating with us at the time.)
The Carlton Street deck didn’t really suit me, though. Besides the fact that the concrete campus structures aren’t very conducive to tailgating, it takes quite a while to get out of them after a game, too.
So I found another church lot off Lumpkin Street that I’ve been very happy with ever since and I buy parking for the season at a rate just slightly higher than the UGA decks. In exchange, I get shade trees, extremely nice folks who run the place and a more sedate bunch of tailgaters.
Obviously, the campus decks suit other fans. My old elementary school also sells parking, but their rate is higher than surrounding church lots. And some fancy (and quite expensive) tailgating facilities with lots of amenities have gone up near campus, too, and offer you a chance to “buy” a space.
At the other end of the price range, I have friends who choose to park on neighborhood streets surrounding the campus. This is a lot harder than it used to be because quite a few streets are now off-limits to game day parking, with warning signs put up early Saturday mornings. And you will get towed if you ignore the signs. But on streets where there aren’t any warning signs, if you can find a spot, you park free of charge.
The on-campus parking is more restrictive these days, too. Not only do they not want you parking on the grass, but a couple of seasons ago one of my brothers got towed after parking on some unused railroad tracks where previously he’d parked with no trouble.
In general, though, I’m in favor of the tighter parking rules in the areas close to campus. Walking to games used to require having to get out in the street amid traffic in some areas because of all the vehicles parked on the sidewalks. This was particularly dangerous along Lumpkin Street. Thankfully, that’s not allowed any more.
So how have you dealt with the parking shortage in Athens on game days? Any creative solutions I haven’t covered?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2011 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
36 comments Add your comment
Michael Scharff
July 6th, 2009
2:25 pm
We used to park for free in the Forestry lot down the hill from the Education Building. Then, it got to where you couldn’t get a slot anymore unles you got there at least five hours prior to game time. My Dad went ahead and bought a season parking pass three years ago with his season tickets (directly across the street from the Forestry lot) , and we’ve ben happy ever since.
Cuz
July 6th, 2009
2:39 pm
Still no handicapped spaces near the stadium. Oh there are some that are handicapped and you better have a tag or rearview mirror pass 359 days out of the year.But 6 days a year, they are sold for big dollars to big time donors. Sounds illegal to me. But the State Patrol, Athens-Clarke County Police and Campus Police are all complicit in this deal. Who do you complain to when they are all on the payroll?
Renegade
July 6th, 2009
2:42 pm
My advice is to get to town early and just park in downtown. It is free on gamedays and makes for a nice walk through town. You have to get there at about 8-9am for night games, and maybe 8 for day games. It is worth it if you can occupy your time prior to kickoff.
Damn Good Dawg
July 6th, 2009
2:43 pm
November 28. The yellow maggots go down!
Ben
July 6th, 2009
3:05 pm
I usually either get there early and park downtown or get a spot in one of the church lots in advance. I don’t mind walking around…
Dawgs
July 6th, 2009
3:07 pm
Not a problem for me, my house is a mile from north campus where I tailgate. Ah, the joys of being a student at UGA.
alanier
July 6th, 2009
3:20 pm
If you are handicapped the powers to be don’t give a rip-adams,Evans and Rick care only about how much money they can squese out of the little people–I hear them as they say loud and clear “As not what the University can do for you but what you can do for the University”- Please forgive me oh mighty ones” I am sorry I brought this up, I will gladly walk on my stump all the way from Lexington so I can watch the mighty ones being driven to the elevator at Sandford Stadium where they will be whisted away to their lofty perch where they will watch our mighty Dawgs do battle.
Kenny Powers
July 6th, 2009
3:27 pm
I would tell you where I park my Bronco but I don’t want to share my secret- it’s just part of being awesome.
dawgfanatic24-7
July 6th, 2009
3:27 pm
The decks are okay but for fans who tailgate it makes it near impossible. More outside parking is needed that doesn’t require a season pass.
Cuz
July 6th, 2009
3:37 pm
I hear you alanier.
BPJ
July 6th, 2009
3:38 pm
Yes, there is a creative solution not discussed here. It’s called rail transportation. Call you legislator and tell him/her you want a commuter rail system (the plans have been at the DOT for 20 years; the goobers under the Gold Dome refuse to fund it). Commuter rail makes sense, and is used all over this country. A side benefit for UGA fans is that one of the lines, the “Brain Train” (so called because it would connect several university campuses) would run from Atlanta to Athens – and of course on Game Day, trains could be added to shuttle fans back and forth.
I can already see that some people will object to this because it would not work for THEM, because they are not traveling to Athens from Atlanta. Stop and think about it: anything that takes hundreds of cars off the road on Game Day means…..fewer people trying to park in Athens. So even if you’re driving to Athens from Toccoa, Elberton, or Augusta, the Brain Train means you have less competition for parking spaces when you arrive. And, fewer drunks on the road.
bigshot
July 6th, 2009
3:43 pm
The Hull St. lot where I park is being done away with and I am being moved to the corner of Hull and Baxter. The letter said it may be before the season, during the season or after the season. Prior to getting that parking we parked downtown off of 78.
m
July 6th, 2009
3:51 pm
The parking at THE cesspool of the south is divided into stench and non-stench parking.
The non-stench is less expensive but there is a LONG walk involved.
Cuz
July 6th, 2009
3:51 pm
BPJ, I will give you that brain train right after we get the fall line freeway they have promised us for the last forty years.
Cuz
July 6th, 2009
3:52 pm
m your campus is in a ghetto, what the heck are you talking about?
secondguesser
July 6th, 2009
3:52 pm
Here’s a creative solution. Stay home. If there’s a dirtier bunch in cahoots about the parking at the UGA games than the APD and the UGApolice then I haven’t seen them! In fact, I’ll go as far to say that the students in general and the athletes in particular have a helluva bullseye on their backs when it concerns those two.
ATL Dawg
July 6th, 2009
4:18 pm
Its a freaking Charlie Foxtrot now unless you are first in line at 7am or pony up the Benjamins for the priveledge to park in a decent spot anywhere on campus. I’m not giving the Athletics or Adams any more of my money and will just piggyback on others to organize the party from now on. My undergrad years were much more fun.
Dawgs
July 6th, 2009
4:19 pm
secondguesser: the athletes get away with anything on our campus, what are you talking about? The ones who get caught are incredibly stupid and do something blatant in public and then the police don’t have a choice. And as far as students go…It’s the same. I’m a student and I’ve gotten away with plenty, just dont be stupid and get so wasted that you can’t control yourself.
Knuckle Sandwich
July 6th, 2009
4:29 pm
Park in a metered spot downtown. The ticket for exceeding the time limit is $3. Sure beats $20-30 for a parking lot, and you can’t beat the location!
Saint Simons
July 6th, 2009
4:36 pm
Park on this!!! 45-42!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahahaahaha
hop
July 6th, 2009
6:19 pm
i gave up on attending georgia games a long time ago when dr.adams began to make it so tough on the common georgia fanto attend.
now that we have a new A.D daman evans has made it even worse for the fans to attend games. now with more night games being played, the situation will be even worse.
most games are on tv which is a far better seat near my tv then a long walk to the game!
Allyn Jenkins
July 6th, 2009
6:34 pm
Parking is available at the Clarke Central HIgh School lot, with access off Milledge Avenue and Baxter Street. I think they’re charging $15 or $20 a game. Managing the lots is rotated among the different sports teams at CCHS, who split the proceeds, and a security guard is duty throughout the day and night, plus cameras, too! Just a short walk straight from Milledge down Baxter to the stadium. Just whoever comes, please leave the Varsity sign on the baseball field fence, the Dugout Club is tired of having to replace it every year!
U Gotta B Kidding Me
July 6th, 2009
7:31 pm
How ironic that a Jackette terms UGA the cesspool of the south…I’ve been to your concrete campus and trust me buddy, your campus is a dump. From the nuclear reactor dump to the concrete breast you call a basketball gym, it’s all 3rd rate. I’m sure what REALLY pleases you about the GT campus is the close proximity you have to the tranny hookers, drug dealers, and urban crime that you so love.
Regarding parking at UGA, I haven’t been to a game in several years and, truth be told, I don’t feel like I have missed much. On game days I can stay home and watch other games, play golf, etc.. and then enjoy the comforts of home while watching the Dawgs. The big screen, comfy chair, good food and drink, and clean restrooms are all I need. Plus, I get to avoid the lunatic fringe away fans who make the game scene less enjoyable.
Heidi
July 6th, 2009
7:36 pm
I believe the University has it right. Give parking to those that gives the most money. Handicapps–I know nothing about it. I do hope the University can make the game day experience pleasureable for them. However, as a UGA grad (1991) I believe UGA is doing the right thing. Donors drive the system (just like upper income folks fund our government through income taxes). Take care of the donors, and UGA can afford to keep it real. Screw with the donors, and you that complain will find it even harder. Can’t donate? Choices my friends. The same ones I hade to make that allows me to give lots and lots. I am blessed to be able to drive to the game at my liesure and park at my designated parking lot. 2 minute walk to the game. I have tears when they do the Battle Hymn too. Just sayin…..
Dawg Man
July 6th, 2009
8:04 pm
I hate those parking decks—tailgating is terrible and getting out is a nightmare. I’m getting to athens this year at 5 am to find the best spot near campus, so I can set up my bulldog tent, grill and start drinking hard all day baby!!!
wdedad
July 6th, 2009
9:40 pm
hearing all your complaining and carrying on makes me love Auburn even more. no better layout for tailgating. lots of fields for RVs, campers etc. plenty of spots around campus also.
can’t be beat,
now, about that offense….
Cuz
July 6th, 2009
10:26 pm
Heidi, there is a state law that says you have to have a disabled tag or rear view mirror pass to park in a DOT handicapped/disabled lot. It is a “LAW”. The lot next to the stadium is ignored by all authorities that enforce that law every day except game day. I would love to take my daughter to a game and park in the disabled lot. I have a tag, she has a wheelchair because she cannot walk. I have to park wherever I can find a spot and push her and her wheelchair up and down the hills of Athens to attend my alma mater’s games. I don’t care how much money you make, this is wrong. And there is no way to defend taking spots from the disabled and giving them to big money contributors. If you have a rebuttal, go ahead. Your saying those twenty spots make and break UGA athletics just does not wash with me. Tell your father Michael Adams I said EMRBG.
m
July 6th, 2009
10:41 pm
No handicapped spaces??? They are ALL handicapped spaces.
Upstate Dawg
July 6th, 2009
11:51 pm
I have never paid more than the meter price to park downtown. For virtually all games, I park in a neighborhood between Baxter and Broad Street (before Milledge) and it’s free. I laugh at the people trying to get me to pay $15 to park a block away.
Cuz
July 7th, 2009
2:19 am
m, I have to admit, good one.
Now go back to your Fundamentals of Terrorism class.
There is a new PE class this Fall. Dodge Thug 101. Elective for everyone except Freshmen. Unfortunately, you have zero Freshwomen.
RxDawg
July 7th, 2009
10:35 am
“Lots farther away charge $15 or even $10″
Try $50! Last game I attented was the Auburn blackout. The freaking parking space cost me more then my ticket! This really rubed me wrong for some reason…probably more then it should. I’m still kinda sour about it. I almost wrote the mayor a letter to put some kind of cap on how much they can charge *cough gouge* us for parking.
RxDawg
July 7th, 2009
10:56 am
Cuz that sucks about the handicap spaces… Sanford stadium is not very accomadating to the disabled, inside and out. Well, unless your rich. It’s one of the few things that does not make me proud to be a Dawg.
BruffDawg
July 7th, 2009
4:13 pm
They used to let us park over by stegman the night before the game and we would sleep in our cars that night to make sure our spots were ok. Gotta love the games that turn into a weekend.
Dawgs On Top
July 8th, 2009
1:25 am
Auburn tailgating is a joke! You can’t even get any tailgate spots unless you mark off a spot on campus and parking with crime scene tape on Friday afternoon—meaning any opposing fans don’t get a spot. This is the dumbest idea I’ve ever seen in college football. It should be first come, first serve on Saturday like every other school.
Billy
July 8th, 2009
4:30 am
I love my DAWGS, but the school has made it clear that money talks. Parking is a joke. Georgiadogs.com our teams website is so outdated and if you want any of the better stories or videos, you must buy a membership. Have you ever compared the Gators website to ours?? It is 500 percent better and free. I hope when they give us the promised website update that it is worth going to and does not continue to charge us. If they are making $98 million on the new contract, they should not continue to drain the supporters dry. I know that the Vanderbilt program is not as big as ours, but you can park in there parking deck for $5, and has plenty of space to tailgate all around it, and it takes 5 minutes to walk to the stadium. Like I said. I love my DAWGS, but UGA has made the DOLLAR there main goal.
bulldawgfromcairo
July 9th, 2009
12:09 pm
i hear bogart has a nice shuttle