Thursday, August 13, 2009

(17) Comments

The Mets Police Guide To Being Cheap About Parking Near Citi Field

I'm cheap.   I park in Corona.  It's not scary and it's not far.

Park somewhere in the one-teens as close to 34th avenue as you can.   This shot is from 114th street between 34th and Northern.  Remember, the far side of Citi Field is 126th, so at the worst you're walking 12 blocks and it's more like nine.





At the end of 34th avenue look for this walkway.   The people on the opposite side are waiting for highway-speed traffic to clear.  You do have to hustle across an entrance ramp to the Grand Central.  It's not that scary.








Now that you've dashed across, you will find yourself   on this walkway along the Whitestone Expressway.  It's loud, but that's a nice high barrier so you are in no likely danger of being hit by a car.









To your right you can enjoy the beautiful wildflowers of Queens.










Keep walking, keep walking.













Keep walking, keep walking.











You can look down at the Grand Central Parkway.












From here you can follow your eyes.












The walkway ends and you will have to cross across an exit ramp (from the GCP to the Whitestone).   On the other side is the Citi Field parking lot.   The NYPD is often stationed at this point and will hold up traffic for you, otherwise you'll have to play Freeway against highway speed traffic.   Not so bad.







Now that you've made it safely walk down this sidewalk.  Again, you can see Citi Field so it's not like you'll get lost.











Take a minute to laugh about the people who paid $18 while you got 7 blocks worth of exercise.














This is what their $18 got them.  After the game you'll be over by the highway entrances and they'll be fighting 20,000 other people to get out of the lot.










And you've made it to The Street That I Think Needs A Cool Name.

If you can't make it from here you need greater help than I can provide.


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17 Responses to "The Mets Police Guide To Being Cheap About Parking Near Citi Field"
Anonymous said :
August 13, 2009 at 9:11 AM
Wow thank you so much. this really helps and yes im extremely cheap too.
Anonymous said :
August 13, 2009 at 9:39 AM
You're going to ruin it!
Scott said :
August 13, 2009 at 9:50 AM
$18 to park is disgusting and any human being who could have the nerve to charge that deserves what they have coming to them. The Mets and all those in charge of parking are PIGS and rightfully, are being sent out to slaughter this year.
Ceetar said :
August 13, 2009 at 9:52 AM
I usually park closer to Roosevelt Avenue than Northern Blvd. The benefit being not dashing across the grand central and just walking along roosevelt avenue. Added benefit of getting to go in the main rotunda entrance, and walk by the subway if you happen to be meeting someone.
Anonymous said :
August 13, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Way to tell everyone about the best kept secret. Maybe I'll have to slash a few tires to deter people :-)
Ivan said :
August 13, 2009 at 10:17 AM
As someone who has parked exactly as you described for the past few years, I have only noticed this getting worse. Now that this has been linked in a Metsblog post I wonder how long this will last. Arrive early!
Sux2Lose said :
August 13, 2009 at 10:35 AM
My Dad has been parking here for 45 years, and in one post (w/ a little help from a Metsblog link) you have ruined parking there. I'm being melodramatic, but you know what I'm saying.
SS said :
August 13, 2009 at 11:15 AM
While I weighed the dangers of "ruining it" - I figured most people won't actually do it, and the superfans that read Mets Police deserve to know...I'm very thankful that metsblog links here so if I have to park on 112th instead of 113th so be it.

Plus there's gonna be 25,000 people at games next year.

you guys are funny.
Schnu said :
August 13, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Under the Whitestone Expy, past 126th Street is easier for those who live out on LI.

For night games I park and take the subway for $4.
Anonymous said :
August 13, 2009 at 2:00 PM
I was planning to catch a game at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Guess the parking fee? $23!! For that I rather park at the hotel and take public transportation. I guess maybe that's the point.

I agree that it's better to park further away than having to deal with the hassle of getting out of the parking lot. Turner Field was my worst nightmare.

Thanks for the info!
Anonymous said :
August 13, 2009 at 2:20 PM
It was 30 bucks to park for McCartney.....
SS said :
August 13, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Good point about McCartney! I used the subway for that one.
Anonymous said :
August 17, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Now i know why i cant find parking over there anymore! youre giving away all the good parking! But, if you are gopnna do that lets mention the great hot dog guy thats set up on the way to the stadium with the dogs for $2 and peanuts and other stuff for reasonable prices so u can eat b4 going into the stadium!!! love that guy! pretzels and shish ka bobs are great
Anonymous said :
August 23, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Great tip thanks. Parked here today. No problems.
Anonymous said :
September 4, 2009 at 10:38 AM
It's Friday 9/4/09. Tennis is in town, and guess what? Parking $40! That's right. Cheers to those tennis fans for jacking up the price. I park there as a commuter taking the 7 train to the city everyday for $4! They just raised it from $3 just before the subways went up. Go figure.
SS said :
September 4, 2009 at 12:35 PM
according to Mets.com, US Open parking is $18. I'd be curious if anyone else is seeing the $40. I don't know it to be true.
DyHrdMET said :
September 5, 2009 at 12:55 PM
$40 is crazy. I wonder if the Anonymous commenter was in a Shea parking lot or something on the other side of Corona park. Either way, USOpen.org lists parking as $18 in both places (along with a strong urge to take mass transit, especially during the week that the Mets are home).

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/about/transportation_parking.html?promo=topnav

I was at the Open all day yesterday and never heard anyone complain about parking (and I took the train in).

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