By Jack Landreth
Photos Courtesy of the Golden High School website
At Golden High School, finding and getting a parking spot can be a big problem. When I heard my older sister, who is a Senior this year, talk about it, I didn’t think it could be that bad. But parking spots run out fast. The school’s parking lot is small, and with so many students and staff trying to use the available space, it can quickly become crowded and frustrating. This may seem like a small issue, but it affects students every day. GHS has far more students than it was designed for, so the school should adapt by changing the parking lot’s size or flow.
As the student body grows each year, ignoring the campus’s infrastructure needs only makes the daily routine more chaotic. A school’s physical setup should support its students, not create unnecessary obstacles before the first bell even rings. One of the biggest problems at Golden is the lack of parking spaces. I’m getting my license this April, and I won’t be able to park at the school for the rest of that year and next year,
which is crazy to think about. Only Juniors and Seniors can park on campus, so everybody else has to find somewhere else to park. When the lot fills up, students spend extra time looking for a spot or park farther from the school. This makes it harder to get to class on time, especially when everyone arrives around the same time. Older first-year students must search for street parking in nearby neighborhoods, creating friction between residents and the school. Furthermore, students forced to park blocks away often have to walk to campus in poor weather.
The lot’s size creates traffic problems, especially after school. When many cars try to enter, leave, or find a spot at once, the parking lot can become difficult to navigate. Students often have to wait for other cars or squeeze through tight areas. This increases the risk of minor fender benders when inexperienced teen drivers try to navigate cramped conditions. The rush to leave the lot at the end of the day often leads to dangerous driving and unsafe maneuvers. A high school parking lot should make arriving and leaving easier, not add more stress to the school day.
Also, as the weather gets worse throughout the year, accidents will increase as the school year goes on. GHS should consider ways to manage traffic around the school; with construction right outside GHS, it gets even worse. The school could reorganize parking spaces, improve traffic flow, or find additional parking, especially for kids who get their license before their junior year, like me. Partnering with nearby lots or designated off-site areas for student permit holders could immediately relieve pressure on the main lot. Although 24th Street serves as overflow, it is not enough, and parking there isn’t very comfortable. Re-striping the existing spaces to optimize layout angles is another cost-effective step the administration could take. Even small changes could make a difference for students. At the very least, the school should create a plan for freshmen and sophomores so they don’t have to park so far away. Many people park in the lot without a pass and get ticketed. If the school finds a way to fix this, it would help students, the school, and Mitch, so he doesn’t have to ticket everyone without a pass.
Some people might say parking isn’t an important school issue. However, students spend a lot of time dealing with parking; it is part of their daily school experience. If you are even five minutes late, you could miss your first period. If a problem can be improved, it is worth thinking about. GHS has many things students can be proud of, but the parking situation deserves attention. Golden High School has limited space, and I recommend considering off-campus parking spots for students. It may not be the biggest problem at GHS, but it shouldn’t be ignored. If they can fix it, it would make things much easier for students and area residents.
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