About this Location

Facility Overview

CU East Parking, situated within the historic Shadyside campus of Chatham University along Woodland Road in Pittsburgh, PA, serves as an essential campus parking facility for students, faculty, staff, and authorized guests. Positioned amidst the scenic, arboretum-style grounds of the university, this open-air surface parking lot provides convenient vehicular access to eastern campus buildings, residence halls, and athletic facilities. Because it is a ground-level, uncovered asphalt lot, there are no overhead clearance restrictions or parking garage height limitations. This open layout makes it easily navigable and well-suited for standard passenger vehicles, compact cars, light trucks, and full-size SUVs. Drivers of high-profile or roof-rack-equipped vehicles can maneuver comfortably without clearance concerns.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Chatham University\'s secluded Shadyside campus is nestled directly between some of Pittsburgh\'s most vibrant and culturally rich East End neighborhoods, including Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and Point Breeze. Prominent nearby points of interest within walking distance or a short drive include:

Chatham University Campus Highlights: Direct walking proximity to the Athletic and Fitness Center (AFC), Campbell Memorial Chapel, Rea Coffeehouse, and academic lecture halls.
Mellon Park & Walled Garden: Located just a 5 to 8-minute walk to the north along Fifth Avenue, featuring historic gardens, tennis courts, and seasonal arts festivals.
Walnut Street & Ellsworth Avenue Shopping Districts: Approximately 1 mile away, offering upscale boutiques, local bakeries, independent coffee shops, and diverse dining options.
Bakery Square & East Liberty Hub: Under a 5-minute drive (or 15-minute walk) to major tech offices (Google Pittsburgh), fitness clubs, retail outlets, and popular eateries.
Oakland University Corridor: Just 2 miles west along Fifth Avenue, providing fast access to Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt).

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are primarily routed via Woodland Road, a winding, tree-lined residential street accessible from Fifth Avenue or Wilkins Avenue. Drivers should exercise caution when navigating Woodland Road, keeping speeds low due to frequent pedestrian crossings, campus runners, and cyclists. Chatham University is exceptionally well connected to the Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) bus network. High-frequency bus lines, including the 71B, 71D, 67, and 69, operate regularly along Fifth Avenue, connecting drivers seamlessly to Downtown Pittsburgh, Oakland, and Wilkinsburg. Highway connectivity is streamlined via Penn Avenue (PA-8) and Fifth Avenue, which lead swiftly toward the I-376 (Parkway East) on-ramps at Wilkinsburg or Edgewood/Swissvale.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Parking: Generous outdoor footprint with no overhead vertical height barriers.
Pedestrian Connectivity: Direct, paved sidewalks and lit pedestrian paths connecting directly into the Chatham academic core.
Campus Safety: Regularly patrolled by Chatham University Public Safety officers, accompanied by outdoor campus call boxes and strategic nighttime lighting.
Designated Parking: Marked ADA accessible stalls close to primary walkway access points, alongside designated faculty, staff, and student permit sectors.

Ideal For

Chatham University Community: Faculty, administrative staff, commuter students, and campus residents with registered term parking permits.
Campus Visitors & Prospective Students: Families attending admissions tours, university open houses, lectures, or special events at Campbell Memorial Chapel and the AFC.
Mellon Park Visitors: Guests attending university-affiliated community arts programs or public lectures adjacent to the Fifth Avenue corridor.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Permit Enforcement: Chatham University strictly monitors campus parking spaces; ensure that an active university parking decal, visitor dashboard permit, or pre-arranged guest pass is clearly displayed during enforced hours.
Woodland Road Navigation: Woodland Road features curves, gentle inclines, and shared pedestrian zones; enter slowly and follow posted campus speed limits of 15 mph.
Winter Weather Precautions: Pittsburgh winters can result in snowy conditions on campus grades; facilities teams plow and salt the lot, but all-weather tires are advised during snow events.
Alternative Transit Options: During peak midday campus hours when lot occupancy is high, consider utilizing PRT Fifth Avenue bus lines or Chatham campus shuttles between the Shadyside and Eden Hall campuses.