University Park, Pa. — Penn State is alerting fans that there may be parking availability changes for the Penn State-Akron football game on Saturday, Sept. 2 as a result of the heavy rains expected Saturday associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Ernesto.
The storm is not expected to have any effect on the game itself, which will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. in Beaver Stadium. Parking lots will open at 8 a.m. and stadium public gates will open at 2 p.m.
Grass fields used for parking near the stadium are expected to be saturated from the storm\’s heavy rainfall resulting in some reduction in parking in those lots. Fans driving to the game should allow extra time for arrival and be advised that they may be redirected away from their usual parking area.
Recreational vehicles that normally park in lots west (Lot 13) and south (Lot 25) of the stadium may be directed to alternate parking on Saturday, according to Penn State Associate Athletic Director Herb Schmidt, who oversees athletic facilities and operations at Beaver Stadium. Other areas, including overnight and pre-paid recreational vehicle area, may be affected depending on conditions.
A detailed map of stadium parking areas can be found online at: http://www.gopsusports.com/gameday/forecastdirect.cfm
The University is making every effort to provide ease in parking despite the wet conditions. Hundreds of police and stadium parking attendants will be directing fans to parking areas that are useable. Some parking areas that will be used may not be identified in parking maps and fans are asked to be respectful of the instructions and directions provided by the police and parking staff.
Fans are encouraged to consider using the following options for parking on Saturday:
– Parking for those with ADA placards will be available in Lot 9. Should the lot be filled, alternate adjacent parking has been planned as has the related transportation from those new locations. Parking attendants and traffic control personnel will direct those fans with such placards to the appropriate areas should the need arise.
– Fans who normally drive a recreational vehicle and park in a grass field are encouraged to drive a car.
– Parking is available in lots and parking decks on campus, including the parking deck at the intersection of Curtin Road and Bigler Road.
– Fans Centre Area Transportation Authority\’s (CATA) Game Day Shuttle provides access on Saturdays to Beaver Stadium from downtown and pick up points on South Atherton Street near the Hills Plaza.
The fare is $2.00 and schedule information is available on the CATA Web site — http://www.catabus.com — or at 814-238-2282.
– Parking is available in lots and parking garages in downtown State College. CATA provides shuttle bus service from downtown, with pick-ups at corner of Atherton Street and Beaver Avenue and at the corner of Beaver Avenue and Allen Street. Shuttle bus service also is available at many of the hotels along South Atherton Street, with drop off and pick up at the corner of Curtin Road and University Drive, one block from the stadium.
The CATA Game Day Shuttle will begin Saturday at 12:30 p.m., operating every 10 minutes until kickoff, every 20 minutes during the game and continuously for one hour after the conclusion of the game.
Fans staying at any of the hotels where shuttle service is available are encouraged to leave their vehicles at the hotel and use CATA\’s shuttle service. The shuttle stop is one block from the stadium along University Drive in front of the Bryce Jordan Center marquee. The shuttle fare is $2.00.