Details On The New Parking Policies
ExtremeSkins was all abuzz over the weekend about reported new tailgating policies at FedExField. Response ranged from indifferent to downright frantic, with the diehard tailgaters there concerned that their tailgating freedoms were going to be curtailed. A post from Capt. Kaos does a good job providing a sample of this reaction:
"Now this could certainly hamper the tailgating activities of a certain group of people that I know of. This is becoming a serious issue, how are we going to have any sort of unified Tailgate if we are parked in different areas?"
It's a fair question, one taken to nearly apocalyptic extremes by Dave McKenna over at City Paper's Cheap Seats, where he speculated that this policy change will begin "the Blackouts Era of Redskins football."
The team just released an official response to this, which I'll repost after the jump. The most important segments:
A new FedEx Field parking lot will be opened for thousands of Washington Redskins fans with the onset of the 2009 season, the team announced today. Additionally, new post-game traffic patterns and parking policies will be implemented to improve traffic flow in parking lots and on stadium roads.And....
"We expect to have more tailgaters than ever," said Mitch Gershman, the Redskins Chief Operating Officer. "Those who want to meet with their friends will have more space, and those who want to simply park will find it easier to do so."
The most significant new procedure will have parking attendants directing fans who wish to tailgate in more than one space to the back of lots, where they will be allowed to occupy two spaces until required for additional vehicles. Fans who wish to only park, or tailgate within their single parking spot, will be directed to the front of lots, filling the lot from front to back. Tailgating is permitted in all lots, except Platinum. Platinum lot parkers who choose to tailgate will be provided passes for Purple lots.
And....
"Everyone who wants to tailgate should be able to tailgate. We absolutely believe that," Gershman said. "This is designed to improve the experience for fans who want to tailgate."So it looks like the initial hue and cry was over an email targeted at a very small group of people, and didn't include information that wasn't pertinent. I'm still asking around, trying to figure out exactly what this means for the various groups who have emailed me with their concerns, but I can see how this could improve the entire parking situation.
"Our outside consultant analyzed the flow on roads and in the parking lots at FedEx Field, with cameras recording the traffic patterns. What we found was that when tailgaters spread into multiple spaces, it caused congestion in the lots, and resulted in inconvenience to everyone - the fans tailgating and the fans who were just looking to park in their assigned lots," Gershman said.
As someone who has had enjoyable tailgates disrupted by people trying to park on top of my grill, I have to say that this doesn't sound like a bad deal. And, as someone who has also shown up to games later than I intended and found multiple spots filled with tailgaters in lounge chairs, it sounds pretty good as well. Which seems like the definition of a win-win, if everything goes as it was explained to me.
Full release after the jump.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS UNVEIL NEW PARKING LOT AND MORE TAILGATING TO ENHANCE FAN ACCESS AND EXPERIENCE AT FEDEX FIELD
LANDOVER, MD – A new FedEx Field parking lot will be opened for thousands of Washington Redskins fans with the onset of the 2009 season, the team announced today. Additionally, new post-game traffic patterns and parking policies will be implemented to improve traffic flow in parking lots and on stadium roads.
"We expect to have more tailgaters than ever," said Mitch Gershman, the Redskins Chief Operating Officer. "Those who want to meet with their friends will have more space, and those who want to simply park will find it easier to do so."
Opening of the new Gray lot off of Landover Road will now allow all fans with season parking the ability to park in lots on FedEx Field property, within sight and walking distance of the stadium. Nearly 3,000 new parking spaces were added to the stadium property.
The new lot was opened and traffic patterns revised after extensive review by an outside consulting firm, as well as benchmarking with other major stadiums around the country.
The most significant new procedure will have parking attendants directing fans who wish to tailgate in more than one space to the back of lots, where they will be allowed to occupy two spaces until required for additional vehicles. Fans who wish to only park, or tailgate within their single parking spot, will be directed to the front of lots, filling the lot from front to back. Tailgating is permitted in all lots, except Platinum. Platinum lot parkers who choose to tailgate will be provided passes for Purple lots.
"Everyone who wants to tailgate should be able to tailgate. We absolutely believe that," Gershman said. "This is designed to improve the experience for fans who want to tailgate."
"Our outside consultant analyzed the flow on roads and in the parking lots at FedEx Field, with cameras recording the traffic patterns. What we found was that when tailgaters spread into multiple spaces, it caused congestion in the lots, and resulted in inconvenience to everyone - the fans tailgating and the fans who were just looking to park in their assigned lots," Gershman said.
The team will no longer maintain game-day, cash parking lots since there are numerous private operators in the stadium vicinity providing the service.
During post-game congestion periods, cars exiting lots will be directed to dedicated traffic lanes, a procedure that has been in effect for pre-game traffic for several years. The team is also in discussions with Prince George's County officials on the possibility of making traffic one-way leading to the Beltway during peak post-game congestion around the stadium, amongst other changes that can improve the game day experience.
The team also announced that it has enhanced its in-stadium text alert system. Introduced last year for the first full season, the text system allows fans to use their cell phones or PDAs to conveniently alert stadium officials to any concerns or unruly behavior in their sections. The team has added more stadium ushers, and will dedicate more senior-level staff to manage and monitor the system, and direct the appropriate response to any situation.
"Like other stadiums, we found that fans consider this system a true enhancement to their game-day experience," Gershman said. "It helps us get maintenance, security, or medical staff moving faster and more efficiently if the need arises."
The Redskins will also introduce electronic scanning of tickets, ending the practice of "ripping" tickets as fans enter the stadium and allowing greater flexibility in tracking seat use.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-22-2009 @ 1:32PM
Hogs Haven said...
Thanks for the update Matt. So I guess this still leaves some confusion as a lot of people won't be able to tailgate where they usually do. It'll probably all work itself out over the first few home games.
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6-22-2009 @ 1:39PM
Slug said...
The big concern for me are the larger, coordinated tailgates such as the DTC or the ExtremeSkins tailgate. We're not talking about one or two cars coming in together at the same time, we're talking about dozens of tail-gaters who all meet at a set section of the parking lot week in and week out. If the parking lot crew is directing these people to different sections, it can really hose up what has been a long-standing tradition, and one of the better gameday experiences at that souless concrete behemoth we call FedEx Field.
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6-23-2009 @ 10:13PM
Linda C. said...
we have been tailgating with the same group for 5 years in the cash lots. We loved where we were & don't like that we have to move!!!!! But we are also concerned that our group, that gets there at different times, won't be able to tailgate together!!!!! We can be moved to the back of the lot? How much farther will that be to walk? Our tickets are on the upper level & we walk around to get to the esclators (I have bad knees). The ticket office told me there would be shuttles for people that cann't make the walk, but I am not handicap! Just have a hard time walking a long ways. We are really upset with the new setup!!!!!!!!!
6-22-2009 @ 1:54PM
wynnebs said...
Good to see snyder is creating a new express lane for the rich folk. I love watching him swindell the rich and stomp on the common man. I blaim JKC if he didn't try and evade the estate tax we would never have to deal with this Murkin D. Snyder.
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6-22-2009 @ 3:15PM
Huly said...
We will not be able to park where we want. We will be "directed" where to park. Yes this hurts the ES tailgate but it also affects families. Say my husband and I drive seperate and I get stuck in traffic. I would arrive later than him therefore I will be directed to park and not allowed to park near him.
We placed the ES tailgate in E43 for a reason. With a group of our size we need a space that will keep us out of the way of traffic. We are in the back where others have full access. I do not want to be told where to park and who I have to park next to. This is not fair at all.
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6-22-2009 @ 3:38PM
punchdaclock said...
Funny, everybody complains about the traffic at FedEx Field and the tailgaters taking up all of the parking spaces, but when the team tries to correct this everybodies wants to complain..... Make up your mind. Do you the problem corrected or not!!!!!
Tailgating is cool, but not if you block up the area for people that just want to park and go into the stadium......
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6-22-2009 @ 3:55PM
DaveButz said...
This sounds like it could be a good idea. If it means it'll take less than an hour to get out of the parking lot after games, i'm all for it. Sounds like the bigger, organized tailgates will be able to stake out a spot in the new lot, just like they do now, doesn't seem that confusing. Not sure why people felt entitled to use multiple spaces for tailgating in the 1st place (unless they are paying for all of them?). The policy has always been (although, never enforced) "When parking, park your car in one space only, between the lines.",
"Please tailgate in front of or behind your vehicle only. ",
"Parking permits are to be used for cars only, not for additional tailgating space or storage.". It could have been worse, the announcement could have been "REDSKINS BAN TAILGATING TO ENHANCE FAN ACCESS AND EXPERIENCE AT FEDEX FIELD"!
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6-23-2009 @ 10:37AM
badbob said...
If you come late you shouldn't be able to park close to the stadium. Also it seems that there are an excess of spaces for Box seats.
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6-23-2009 @ 10:44AM
Hogs Haven said...
"Not sure why people felt entitled to use multiple spaces for tailgating in the 1st place (unless they are paying for all of them?)."
I am one of these people, but we get to the stadium when the gates open and the 2 extra spots we take don't affect anything. When it starts getting crowded, we start shutting down and make room for 1 car in and then w/ 10 mins b4 kick-off we clear out the 1 extra spot. I don't see the big deal. Maybe it'd be easier if they designated an entire lot for non-tailgaters only on the fringe so they can get in and out easily. (yea, that'd never happen b/c it's the rich people). Traffic stinks but what's the difference w/ a concert or anything else w/ a stadium this size. Either leave a little early or hang out a little later.
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6-23-2009 @ 12:03PM
BrianNjRedskinFan said...
ive never been to a game but im guessing this whole issue is about no parking for fans, due to the massive tail gating tents?
if thats the case, i agree with the new rule.
id rather see a skin fan get a parking spot so he can cheer the team.
i could give 2 F's who stuffs there face with a extra hotdog.
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6-23-2009 @ 2:01PM
brian said...
I just gave up my Skins tix after 4 years b/c I moved. These new rules stink. Tailgating is the best part of the game. One almost has to tailgate otherwise if you do not you spend more time driving to the game than you do at the game!!!
6-24-2009 @ 12:59AM
Mike said...
PEOPLE the PROBLEM ! with this parking plan is this: IF FANS CANNOT "CHOOSE" THE LOCATION TO PARK. UNLESS ALL OF YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARRIVE AT THE EXACT SAME TIME. WHICH NEVER HAPPENS ! YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TAILGATE WITH THEM ! YOU WILL BE TAILGATING ALONGSIDE COMPLETE STANGERS ! LIKE HORSES IN A PADDOCK ! IT'S NUTS ! OUR GROUP HAS BEEN PARKING IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATION SINCE 1997 ! AND NOT EVERYONE ARRIVES AT THE EXACT SAME MOMENT ! WE DON'T TAILGATE BESIDE OUR VEHICLES WE HAVE ALWAYS SET UP DIRECTLY BEHIND OUR PARKED VEHICLES FOR THE PAST 11 SEASONS ! WHAT THE OWNER NEEDS TO DO IS "ENFORCE" THE EXISTING PARKING RULE OF NOT ALLOWING FANS TO SET UP "BESIDE" THEIR VEHICLES ! I LEAVE MY HOME AT 8AM SUNDAY MORNINGS SO WE CAN GET THE SPOT WE PREFER. NOW THE OWNER WANTS TO MAKE ALL THE "DIEHARD FOUL WEATHER FANS" MOVE ! SO I SAY TO EVERYONE ! IF YOU CANNOT CHOOSE THE PARKING LOCATION AND CANNOT TAILGATE WITH YOUR CLOSE FRIENDS AND FAMILY ! WHAT DO WE HAVE ? AS FOR THE FAIR WEATHER FANS WHO WANT TO WAIT AND ARRIVE 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO KICKOFF ! AND WANT THE ENTIRE WORLD TO ACCOMODATE YOU ! GET YOUR ASS OUT OF BED ! LIKE THE REST OF US DO ! THIS PARKING PLAN IS A MESS ! IT WILL NOT WORK ! ALL YOUR GOING TO HAVE ON GAMEDAY IS FANS CONFRONTING THE POOR PARKING ATTENDANTS ! IT WILL BE A MESS ! IT WILL BE UGLY ! AND THATS NOT WHAT WE ALL PAY TO SEE ! GAMEDAY IS ABOUT THE FANS ! NOT ABOUT SOME REGIMENTED PARKING PLAN ! THE OWNER NEEDS TO FORGET THIS ONE !
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6-25-2009 @ 11:04AM
Steve said...
People who come to the stadium late and just want to park and walk in are not fans. The real fans are the ones who arrive early...If you get there 30 min before the game and can't find a spot because people are tailgating in them I have no sympathy for you. You are probably wearing a polo and designer jeans and are just there to be seen. This policy is complete crap, and I can't stand how the redskins organization is trying to spin it as a positive...I have been going to games since '90 and because of this lame attempt to make more money I will not be going to anymore games...But don't worry, I am sure a steeler's, cowboy's, or eagle's fan will pick up my slack and take the seat that I won't be in...goodbye homefield advantage.
this sucks
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6-25-2009 @ 9:36PM
JGil said...
Or we are season ticket holders who are very much fans in every sense of the word, yet don't work a Monday-Friday 9-5. So on the Sundays in which we have to work we do so with an early shift so we can get to the stadium in time for kickoff. All the while having got our asses out of bed long before you did to get to the stadium early. I understand my situation may be in the minority, but the sweeping generalization some of you make about part of the fanbase may not be completely correct.
Trust me, I am all for tailgating and I can respect the desire for everyone that tailgates together to be able to do so in the future. But as an aside, in my times of tailgating with strangers I have managed to make some awesome new friends.
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6-28-2009 @ 6:15PM
DanielSnyder said...
I own one of the most profitable teams in the NFL. You should know that I don't really give a hoots ass if you get to tailgate. I don' t care if you get to park next to your friends, even if you've been doing so since RFK. I do care about one thing and that is making more money. If I can streamline the parking process and limit what you eat and drink in MY parking lot, I know you will spend more of your money on my $7 bud lights, my $10 hot dogs, and my $5 bottles of water on 95 degree days. Now shut your mouths, get to my stadium, and consume, consume, consume. Get my revenues up.
I've heard rumors of some fans trying to organize a day where all fans refrain from purchasing any food, drink, or merchandise inside the stadium. Go ahead and try it I dare you.
I've heard rumors of some fans trying to organize a day where all fans refrain from purchasing any food, drink, or merchandise inside the stadium. Go ahead and try it I dare you.
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