Luther creates free parking incentive

Administration approved a new Park Free program allowing students to park in the Ashmore-Jewel parking lot free of the annual $75 parking fee, effective Oct. 1. The Ashmore-Jewel parking lot is located near the Ashmore-Jewel barn between College Drive and Baker Village.

The plan for a Park Free program was approved and put into effect by Vice President for Finance and Administration Diane Tacke. Jim Ahles, director of campus safety and security, also helped implement the plan.“[A park free program] had been discussed for a number of years by administration. The advent of Luther and its commitment to sustainability made it come about in conjunction with the bike program,” said Ahles.

The Park Free program and the Bike Share program promote both sustainability and a healthy lifestyle. In the Park Free program, students are offered the benefit of free parking registration in exchange for parking farther from campus.

Ahles reports his hopes that students will drive their vehicles less, ultimately emitting less carbon. Instead of driving, students may choose to rent a bike from the Bike Share program to travel around Decorah.

Students may register a vehicle with the Park Free program at the Welcome Center desk. In order to register, students must fill out a fresh vehicle registration form.

Those who had previously registered a vehicle and paid the annual $75 parking fee received a refund.

According to the Welcome Center, 43 students registered for the program by Oct. 2. The maximum registration number is 44. This meets the administration’s anticipation that the program would gain enough popularity to fill the lot.

Ahles mentioned other benefits of the Park Free program’s popularity. He anticipates that it will relieve pressure on campus parking lots. He looks forward to expanding the program but also acknowledges it will be a challenge.

Students registered for the program may also find it challenging to keep from bringing registered vehicles on campus. Any vehicle registered for the Park Free program that is parked on campus will be charged a $50 fine.

Before the Park Free program, the Ashmore-Jewel parking lot was used as a parking lot for the Heritage Farm, housed in the Ashmore-Jewel barn.