Spring Fling only happens at the University of Arizona once a year, so that means students, families and thrill seekers of all kinds come from all around Tucson to join in the fun.
However, with a popular event like this, the one thing that is coveted most may not be a seat on the best ride or the tastiest treat, but simply just a parking spot.
Elisa Tapia, the program coordinator of the Parking and Transportation Services, explained that while Spring Fling is a special event, the campus parking that will be available would be the same as any other day.
For the public, these spaces will primarily be at university parking garages.
“Parking for this event is based on space available basis in all campus lots and garages,” Tapia said. “There are other events that are occurring simultaneously so there may be areas that will be reserved for their groups, staff or guest. We ask that the public be aware and follow posted signage. We also have ‘Reserved’ spaces on campus that are leased to departments for 24/7 needs that are not made available.”
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Tapia said PTS will be giving assistance when parking space starts to get low and she also gave her opinions on which areas are best for parking.
“We encourage people to park as close to the venue as possible,” Tapia said. “The best areas are Cherry Avenue, South Stadium, Second Street Garages and surface lots between Speedway [Boulevard] and Sixth Street east of Old Main. As lots fill, signage will be posted that lots are full or the monitors will re-direct people to lots that are reported with available spaces. We do a regular evaluation to check for available spaces in lots and garages.”
Families who have young children may want to avoid road traffic. Tapia said there are certain roads that you can use to potentially avoid the crowd.
“Campbell [Avenue] and Sixth Street are going to be the busiest,” Tapia said. “To avoid the traffic, please use Tucson Boulevard, Country Club [Road] to the east and Euclid [Avenue] to the west for north and southbound travel. Speedway [Boulevard] and Sixth [Street] will be busy, so Broadway [Boulevard] and Grant [Road] are your best east and westbound alternate routes. If you are trying to avoid traffic coming to campus, park north of Speedway [Boulevard] in any of the free Zone One lots, Highland or Park Avenue Garages.”
For more information about parking space locations on campus go to the event map on Spring Fling’s website.
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