Parking at Redwood has long been frustrating for students. With limited spots and parking permits assigned for the entire year, many feel that the current system is unfair. As more students drive to school, competition for spaces intensifies and some are left with no choice but to park in spots off campus such as “Sophomore Row.” This system creates unnecessary stress and leads to underutilized parking spots. It’s time for Redwood to switch to a first come, first served parking system, a change that would benefit students and the school. 

Redwood currently assigns parking spaces for the entire school year under its permit system. While this guarantees many students with spots, it also leads to inefficiencies. With the rise of online learning, parking has become inconsistent. A study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that around 30 percent of high school students now take at least one online course, further contributing to disorganization in parking use throughout the day. Students enrolled in online classes do not need to be on campus for the entire school day, which means many parking spots remain empty during certain periods creating parking inefficiency. Senior Enzo Agustin believes that the current system should be altered to better accommodate these inefficiencies.

“I think that students who have a zero period and wake up earlier should be able to get a guaranteed spot,” Agustin said. 

Agustin also shared his frustrations with the current system, recounting one stressful experience.

“Last year, I got my spot taken by someone else, so I parked in another person’s spot and ended up getting called into the office for it,” Augustin said. 

This incident not only illustrates the anxiety surrounding parking assignments but also highlights the confusion and conflict that can arise when students break the rules. 

Agustin’s experience is not unique. According to a 2024 Bark survey, 19 percent of students have had their parking spots taken by another student during the school day. This statistic further shows the issues with the current system and the need for a better solution.

Many tech companies, such as Google, use open parking systems that allow employees to park wherever they find a spot. This approach maximizes the use of available spots and reduces stress for employees. According to a report from Fast Company, Google designed its campus to enhance employee experience, as “reducing barriers to entry, including parking frustrations, enhances productivity.”

Adopting a similar first come, first served model at Redwood could alleviate parking frustrations and create a more efficient environment for students ultimately improving their overall experience on campus. 

By allowing students to park in any available space, the issues that come with designated parking are eliminated. This method can significantly maximize parking resources. Critics, however, raise valid concerns. They might worry that competition for spots could lead to chaos before school. Such a scenario might create more frustration among students. However, potential chaos in the morning can be managed easily by implementing clear guidelines. For example, encouraging students to show up early can create a fair and organized experience for everyone. It’s also worth noting that Redwood uses a first come, first served parking system for the first few weeks of school each year and this has not resulted in any significant issues. 

A first come, first served system would not only ease the parking problem for students but also improve the utilization of available resources. Throughout the day, I frequently see available spots that students cannot access, forcing them to park in inconvenient locations such as “Sophomore Row” or Piper Park, which are far from campus and require long walks. Allowing students to use any open space would significantly enhance the overall experience at Redwood by reducing stress and ensuring that parking resources are used effectively. 

The parking situation at Redwood needs to be seriously reevaluated, to properly accommodate and improve the needs of students. Transitioning to a first-come, first-served parking system would alleviate frustrations, improve the use of available spaces and contribute to a more easily accessible school.