Parking Committee

Purpose

The Parking Committee is the group of people who is responsible for the on-site parking during the Festival, in addition to off-site parking for people such as our valuable volunteers and organizers.  The Parking Committee works closely with the Planning Committee and the Site Committee to make sure that areas are designated for parking and also to determine the big question of "who goes where."  Also, during the three days that the Festival is running, Parking is responsible for maintaining order in the face of what looks like chaos - to make sure that entry/leaving of performers, vendors, and others goes as smoothly as possible, as well as making sure that people are parking in their designated areas and not places where it causes a problem. 

Learn More

You may find yourself wondering “I’m planning on driving to the Community Festival, but I don’t know where to park my car…”
Parking at the Festival site itself will probably not be an option.  On-site parking is very limited and reserved for performers, close-by area residents, certain food vendors, organizational/operational folks, handicapped drivers, and a few others (such as on-site EMTs).  Manned barricades exist at entry points to the site in order to control the flow of traffic in and out of the site, and to make sure that only those who have access to the site enter, in order to efficiently manage a very finite number of parking spaces.

Now, you’ll have to ask yourself, do you really need to drive, or can you walk, take a bicycle or the bus, or car-pool with friends who may be going as well?  In these times when everyone’s trying to be more “green”, these may be options worth considering.  However, if driving is a necessity because of things like distance, or you are the driver in a group that’s car-pooling, then you will need to find someplace to park now, won’t you?

Because of the location of Goodale Park in a neighborhood that is largely residential and densely-populated, on-the-street parking is at a premium.  We of the Parking Committee request that Festival attendees be considerate and not take these parking spaces away from our neighbors who need them.  Look at the map below for reference.

There are a number of pay-lots located around the Arena District, which is within easy walking distance of Goodale Park.  There are lots located on:

• Vine Street just east of Neil Avenue
• Brodbelt Lane just east of Neil Avenue
• Nationwide Boulevard, just across from the arena, and
• Marconi Boulevard, south of Nationwide Boulevard

Also, there are a couple smaller metered lots at:

• High Street and Millay Alley (on the west side of the street) and
• High Street just north of Poplar Avenue (on the east side of the street)

In addition, there are a number of spaces on the north side of Goodale Street west of Neil Avenue that are public spaces, and are a very short walk to the park itself.

Handicapped Parking:

There is handicapped parking available within the Festival site, on Dennison Ave. south of Buttles, and a limited number of spaces on Park Street, just south of Buttles.  These areas are marked with signs that indicate handicapped parking.  If you have any questions regarding handicapped parking, email Don Morris, Parking Coordinator, at don@comfest.com.

The Parking Committee does ask a few things of those who are planning on attending the Community Festival and are driving, such as:

• Respecting the fact that on-street parking is very limited in the Victorian Village/Short North area, and the people who actually live in this area need to park their vehicles somewhere too.
• Not blocking driveways and garages of our neighbors.  It is not only inconveniencing to the person who’s being blocked, but inconsiderate as well, and your vehicle could be ticketed, or worse, towed.
• Don’t park in areas where it’s obvious you’re not supposed to be parking.  Pay attention to street signs, and save yourself the headache/expense of being ticketed and/or towed.
• Remember that parking around the area is just the same as parking for any other event: first-come, first-served, and at your own risk.

If you are have any questions about parking, or would like to assist on the Parking Committee, feel free to contact Don Morris, Parking Coordinator, at 614-439-2222 or e-mail don@comfest.com.

Get Involved

If you are interested in helping out with the Parking Committee, feel free to contact Don Morris, Parking Coordinator, at 614-439-2222 or email don@comfest.com.