The Crier

No More Tickets: Learn the Free Parking Trick

Parking in Ann Arbor is a notoriously thorny task. But don’t fear, help is on the way

Forest Casey · Ann Arbor Secrets · Feb 05, 2007

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Every time we jaywalk across North University, we’re reminded that the University is a pedestrian campus. It seems as if the Ann Arbor City Council and the Michigan Board of Regents have conspired to make it as difficult as possible for students to own and park cars: parking tickets are put under windshield wipers with cold precision and the hour meters cost as much per hour as they do in Chicago.

Nowhere on campus is it worse to own a car than on the Hill. While off-campus students have green pastures of free street parking, the only parking near the dorms on the Hill would be in the Arb or the cemetery. Take your pick.

But don’t worry, there’s a fabulous parking trick that can save you loads of money and make the Hill one of the best places for car-owners to live.

Here’s the trick: the hospital parking lot on East Medical Center Drive doesn’t staff anyone between the hours of midnight and 5:00 a.m. When they leave their booths for the night, the parking attendants leave the gate up, allowing anyone to drive out for free in their absence.

Here’s what you do:

1. 1. Go to the parking lot, get a ticket, and park as normal. Enjoy the abundant spaces and covered parking — your car won’t be covered in snow like those of the suckers who park on the street.
2. 2. Leave. Take a break. Don’t worry about moving your car or getting towed. Life is good.
3. 3. On the night before you have to go anywhere, walk over to the lot after midnight and take out your car. You won’t have to pay.

That’s the trick. The real bonus is the fat stack of blue tickets that you’ll collect without the intention of ever actually paying for them. Use them to decorate your walls. Or make a collage, a testament to your cunning.

And if there is an emergency and you have to take your car out when the gate is down, just tell the parking attendant that you lost your ticket. They’ll charge you the maximum of ten dollars, which really isn’t a lot given how long you’ll be in the lot.

Take your revenge on the pedestrians; don’t ever pay for parking again.

Disclaimer: In the business of secrets, there are no refunds or exchanges. The Ann Arbor Crier takes no responsibility for the secrets in this article in any way, shape or form.

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