At the end of the 2022-2023 school year, a parking lot issue came to students’ attention. A group of older men playing tennis on Park’s school tennis courts started to affect students. The men taking up the courts hasn’t been the problem, but instead it’s the fact they end up parking in the student lots, which has caused controversy.
Senior Josie Bohrod said it is frustrating to come to school and wait to find a spot, especially when paying for one.
“It’s frustrating because you want to get to class, and coming after PSEO (Postsecondary Enrollment Options) you want to just get to class but then you have to wait,” Bohrod said. “We pay for a parking permit, then we can’t even park in the parking lot.”
Micheal Schneider, a regular at the courts, said his group enjoys playing at Parks courts.
“We’re a group of guys that live in this part of the city, this is a good place,” Schneider said. “Plus,they’re available. A lot of places have different programs and stuff, but this is convenient. The courts are great and we all come here and have fun.”
Junior Max Olson said that due to an injury, not being able to find a parking spot has been very difficult for him.
“I usually just park on the street,” Olson said. “Right now it’s a lot because I’m on crutches and I have to walk through the grass.”
According to Bohrod, it takes longer for her now to find a spot in the parking lot when the older guys play tennis.
“It usually takes me maybe 10 minutes because I’m circling around the parking lot until I find one that’s open,” Bohrod said.
Olson said the guys playing tennis affects not just him but other people who come to school late and are searching for a spot.
“Anybody who comes to school not on time seems like they have a really hard time finding a spot,” Olson said.
Bohrod said she never knows when they come to play tennis, so she ends up being surprised on the days she can’t find spots.
“I don’t know what they like,” Bohrod said. “It’s most days but sometimes they’re not there.”
According to Schneider, the Park tennis courts are a special place for his group of friends, he likes to have something to look forward to.
“Most of us have known each other for 40 years,” Schneider said. “I mean, I’m 76 years old. I’ve been playing with some of these guys since I was 30. We just do a lot of things. It’s something to look forward to when you get old.”
