Halloween brings visitors- and cars with limited places to park

by Evelyn Henley
FOR THE POST

Just like cars should not head south on Court Street, residents should not send their visitors the wrong way when directing them toward parking spaces on Halloween weekend.

Though many people will be flooding the Athens area for the traditional Halloween celebration, on-campus parking will be scarce. Many of the usual places to park on the weekend will not be available, said Ted Jones, Ohio University Police Department chief.

"No vehicles will be allowed to park on campus unless the vehicle is registered with our department," he said. "If you have a special permit, it will still be valid, including commuting students."

Signs informing drivers where to park will be posted at spots around campus and at the entrance of all OU parking lots, Jones said. There also will be officers and university employees patrolling the lots.

Illegally parked vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense. Jones said students and faculty must display their hang-tags to avoid the tow trucks.

"What is working out best and (is) eliminating hassles for the residents, is having everyone who comes into town park at the fairgrounds," said Captain David Burnette of the Athens Police Department. "Even though it costs money to park there, it is cheaper than paying a ticket when your car is cited."

Blocked streets are the biggest fear for officers, Burnette said. Commuters are not allowed to park in front of hydrants and yellow curbs.

In the past, the Athens County Fairgrounds, 286 W. Union St., has been used for parking with great success, Burnette said. Even with the large crowds, there has not been a problem fitting them into the fairgrounds.

"There are about 4- or 5,000 parking spots, at least," said Dwight West, a Fairboard director.

Parking at the fairgrounds costs $10 a day and $20 for the entire weekend. Drivers will get different hang-tags, depending on the amount of time purchased. If a driver leaves, he or she cannot return without paying for a new hang-tag, said Paula Carpenter, Fairboard treasurer.

"There will be someone there by 10 a.m. Friday to distribute the tags to incoming vehicles," she said. "Anyone without a tag will be towed at their own expense."

A shuttle to the Uptown area is available for $1 each ride.

"At 6:30 (p.m.) on Friday, buses will also be running straight to Uptown and back to the fairgrounds until our service is no longer needed," said Bill Church, manager of Athens Community Transit Systems, 397 W. State St. "This will be done on Saturday also."

If a vehicle is towed, the driver should contact one of the towing companies used by OU and the fairgrounds. They include Athens Towing, 10963 state Route 550; Curtis Auto Repair & Towing, 81 Columbus Road.; and Autotech Service Center, 2079 E. State St., Jones said.