Razorback Fans Take Advantage of Alternative Parking
By Jared Laginess
Freshman Mitchell Hooe parked cars in a yard Saturday as Arkansas played South Carolina at Bud Walton. At $10 a spot, parking can be a lucrative enterprise. - Jacki Frost Staff Photographer
Thousands of fans come to the UA for football and basketball games, and some community members are capitalizing by selling front-lawn parking spots.
“Yard parking helps the university’s parking situation and also provides extra income for some people in the community,” said Andy Gilbride, education and instruction specialist in parking and transit.
Gilbride, who has yard-parked with friends for games in the past, said Harmon Garage is a good option for non-students, who are not allowed to use student parking on game days.
Many community members have offered their yards for parking since the late 1960s.
“We can park around 40 cars in our lawn and we charge around $20 for football games and $10 for basketball games,” said Shelley Wilburn, a UA administrative specialist who lives near campus.
Wilburn’s landlord has offered up the lawn for parking for the last 50 years and now splits the money with tenants. The landlord even installed limestone under the lawn so the cars wouldn’t make ruts, Wilburn said.
“One time, we made $300 for one basketball game, and that was a very good day for us,” Wilburn said.
UA student Michael Tarver said yard parking is a great option.
“I got a great parking spot close to the stadium and it was really convenient not having to look for a parking spot for an hour,” Tarver said.
