Following the kickoff of the second semester of the 2021-2022 school year, numerous students received tickets from the school administration for missing parking passes. These pink slips found resting on students’ windshields, popped up all over campus, commonly appearing in the two student parking lots. The upper band parking lot, located on the northern end of NC’s campus, and the lower arena parking lot, located on NC’s west campus, host several juniors and seniors that possess a driver’s license.

Each year as more and more students hit the age of 16 and acquire the proper parking requirements, they can park in either area, sparking a potential debate between the two. Each parking lot withholds its own strengths and weaknesses that benefit individuals depending on their own personal schedule.

“I am more of an arena parking lot guy because it’s right outside my fourth period, which is gym class. More importantly, though, it’s close to the lacrosse field so I don’t have to walk far after practice,” senior lacrosse player Bryson LeBlanc said.

Lower arena lot

Pros

The student parking lot in front of the basketball arena houses significantly more spaces for students to park in than the band lot. Students who participate in athletics such as football, basketball, volleyball, cross country, lacrosse, tennis, track and wrestling can find themselves in a convenient location relative to their respective field/court. This parking lot offers more space for students to operate in and typically keeps a constant flow of traffic. Anyone who wants to park away from surrounding vehicles can find plenty of spaces and places to do so. It also features a back gate towards the softball field that students can easily exit out of, but it heavily depends on the administration’s control over it. 

Cons

The lower arena parking lot hosts significantly more students, increasing the chance of collisions and car-related mishaps. Sometimes, a small amount of traffic will form as a result of the busy intersection between NC and the regional library. Unless students’ fourth period stands close to this parking lot, exiting NC becomes a difficult task. Despite having an extra exit gate for students and visitors to leave out of, this gate typically stays closed, making it an inconvenience. In addition, poor weather conditions do not favor students, as no options for cover against rain or snow remain available.

Upper band lot

Pros

Students that take classes on NC’s east campus or participate in activities such as band, theater, or orchestra can find this parking lot useful. This student parking lot offers the quickest route out of NC, and leads drivers to downtown Kennesaw or even I-75. Less students park in this section, lowering the chance of car-related collisions and accidents. Students typically see less traffic coming in and out with more available spots open. 

Cons

For starters, this section offers little space for students to park in, which includes uneven parking lines as individuals travel towards the back. Students can only enter or exit out of one opening, creating large volumes of traffic and confusion. In the morning, students must go through the bus port in order to get to the student parking lot, reducing the amount of time they could use for social time. Following the dismissal bell, students who do not arrive quickly enough to their vehicles and leave before the buses’ departure add 10 additional minutes to their ride home, as buses take priority and stop all surrounding cars. Similarly to the other lot, poor weather conditions do not favor students, as no options for cover against rain or snow seem available in this section too. 

“I park in the band parking lot because I like to go into the band room every morning before class starts. Sometimes I’ll even eat my breakfast and my friends and I will just hang out there to start off our day,” junior Addie Quintana said. 

The debate between which parking lot to park in, which crosses every new driver’s mind, holds their own strengths and weaknesses. Looking at just the pros and cons, the lower arena parking lot appears much more appealing. At the end of the day though, the final decision boils down to the location of an individual’s fourth period or the after school activities that they participate in.