Lingering issues with the Indian Hills student parking lot have caused confusion and frustration among students throughout the school year.
One of the biggest challenges has been the ongoing construction in the senior parking lot. This construction has been kicking students out of their parking spots and forcing them to park in front of the school or find a different spot each day. Many of the affected parking spaces suffered damage from the construction, including cracks, potholes, and “brown dusty residue” that coated students’ tires. Pauline Tsui, a current senior, was one of the many people that were impacted by the construction, explaining how she had to “park in a visitor parking spot at the front of the school and used my friend’s spot other times because she happened to be away.”
To some people, parking in the front of the school may be more convenient than walking up the hill in the cold every morning. Tsui reflects on the experience, adding how “It does get hard to leave during the rush at the end of the school day, but otherwise I think it was nice. It was definitely easier to commute since I didn’t have to walk far to the school.” Despite some students finding temporary benefits, many were frustrated by the lack of communication regarding the construction. No prior warnings were given, and workers left the parking lot damaged without repaving or making repairs.
Along with the construction, winter weather had left unshoveled snow in the parking lot, inconveniencing some students. Indian Hills senior, Manahel Asif was one of the few blocked until all the snow melted. Asif explained, “Security had told me they didn’t have anywhere to put it. During that time, I just parked in the visitor parking area, but now the snow is all gone.” Once again, students have been in situations where they have not been able to park in their usual spot all year.
Throughout the year, many students have been forced to find alternative parking arrangements, disrupting their daily routines. The ongoing issues highlight a need for better communication and maintenance to ensure students can rely on their assigned parking spots.
