Consider the variety of parking options and locations at Parkview Field

Perfect timing.  Press release from the City:

City encourages Parkview Field visitors to consider variety of parking options, locations
Ticket holders have choice of free or paid spaces with Police Department ready to direct traffic, pedestrians at key locations before, after game

People going to games at Parkview Field will have a wide choice of parking options, including free or paid parking garages, on-street spaces and lots throughout downtown.

Mayor Tom Henry encourages ticket holders to evaluate the variety of parking choices before leaving home for a game at Parkview Field.

“One of the great things about downtown is the choices it provides. Visitors will be able to park in the new garage at Harrison Square, a surface lot or even on-street parking within blocks of what looks to be one of the finest venues for minor league baseball in the country,” Mayor Henry said. “There are maps available in print and online to identify public parking downtown, plus signage to help drivers find a place to park.”

Downtown Fort Wayne’s street grid also allows for multiple points of entry and exit that could help move traffic more quickly.

After months of planning, the Fort Wayne Police Department is ready to help direct traffic and pedestrians before and after the games. Approximately 12 officers will be working Thursday night. Police will direct traffic and help safely guide pedestrians at the following locations:

• Ewing and Brackenridge
• Harrison and Douglas
• Webster and Jefferson
• Harrison and Jefferson
• Calhoun and Jefferson
• Ewing and Jefferson
• Lafayette and Douglas
• Calhoun and Douglas
• Civic Center and Harrison Square parking garages

Three officers will be on T3 scooters with other officers in patrol cars, on foot or on bicycle. A police officer will be watching from a rooftop Thursday night to help monitor traffic congestion. Officers will be directing traffic and pedestrians.

Drivers will need to follow the instructions of police officers directing traffic when leaving the game, including no left turn onto Harrison Street from the Harrison Square garage. The traffic plan has been designed to move vehicles out as quickly as possible, while accounting for pedestrian safety.

Officers will also be happy to answer pedestrians and drivers’ questions.

In addition to police officers, ushers from the Embassy and Grand Wayne Center and Downtown Improvement District volunteers will be out during the first 8 home games with information in hand. Wearing Parkview Field hats and “Need help? Ask me!” buttons, they will be near the ball field, the Embassy Theatre and the Grand Wayne Center.

For those comfortable using the internet, the Downtown Improvement District recently launched a new website, to help people find downtown parking. Using an interactive map, it shows estimated parking availability for the day. For example, when the Embassy Theatre is hosting a Fort Wayne Philharmonic concert on a Saturday night, the icons for nearby parking garages will indicate the likely availability of spaces around the Embassy. DID advises people to check the website on the day that they will be making the trip downtown.

The Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau is working with private parking lot owners to use sidewalk sandwich-board signs to indicate special event parking. City-owned lots and garages have permanent public parking signs.

“Downtown Fort Wayne has plenty of parking for Parkview Field and other special events,” said Greg Leatherman, redevelopment director. “Many people are unclear what’s available to the public. The City working in partnership with the DID, CVB, Grand Wayne Center, Embassy Theatre and others has put together a parking plan for Parkview Field and offered resources to help people find convenient parking downtown.”

The City of Fort Wayne offers the following information for game day parking and events at Parkview Field:

• The new Harrison Square parking garage is now open to the public. Special event parking, including TinCaps games, will be $4 and collected when vehicles enter the garage.
• The Civic Center garage across from the Hilton will be open for TinCaps games. Special event parking at that garage is $2 and collected upon entrance.
• Downtown parking meters are free after 5 p.m. weekdays, on weekends and City holidays.
• The Allen County Public Library’s lots are available for hourly parking.
• Some private parking lots south of Parkview Field will be available for paid public parking. Drivers can look for the yellow sidewalk signs.
• The Grand Wayne Center’s concourse on what was Harrison Street between Washington and Jefferson will be open to people who want to walk between those streets.
• Those driving north after the game may want to consider parking north of Washington Boulevard. Those going south of downtown after the game may want to park south of Jefferson Boulevard.
• Some streets will become one way temporarily after games to help move traffic more quickly.
• Come early or stay late and visit a downtown restaurant, bar or attraction to avoid the peak traffic times.

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