Facility Overview
The East Lot at 400 University Drive is a spacious, open-air surface parking facility serving the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Fond du Lac campus (formerly UW-Fond du Lac) and the surrounding educational and recreational grounds on the east side of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Laid out with wide driving aisles and clearly demarcated single stalls, this lot is engineered for effortless maneuverability. Because it is a ground-level, uncovered surface facility, there are no low-clearance overhangs or vertical clearance restrictions, making it entirely suitable for full-size pickup trucks, large SUVs, passenger vans, and accessible vehicles equipped with roof racks.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Conveniently located on the eastern quadrant of the campus, the East Lot provides immediate pedestrian access to university academic halls, the campus library, lecture halls, and administrative centers. Key nearby destinations include:
- Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum: Directly adjacent to the campus, offering over 40 acres of native tallgrass prairie, wildlife trails, formal display gardens, and educational paths within a 2- to 5-minute walk.
- Prairie Theater and Campus Visual Arts: The campus performing arts spaces and gallery exhibits are located mere steps from the lot.
- Fond du Lac High School & Performing Arts Center: Located less than a mile south along Campus Drive and Martin Avenue.
- Moraine Park Technical College: Situated just over a mile to the northwest, accessible within a 3-minute drive.
- Downtown Fond du Lac & Lakeside Park: Historic Main Street dining, boutiques, and the shores of Lake Winnebago are easily reached within a 7- to 10-minute drive.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Vehicular ingress and egress are remarkably straightforward via University Drive, which connects smoothly to East Johnson Street (State Highway 23) to the north and East Pioneer Road (County Road B) to the south. Direct proximity to the US Highway 151 bypass ensures rapid highway regional access for commuters traveling from Sheboygan, Oshkosh, or Milwaukee. Local transit service is available via Fond du Lac City Transit bus routes connecting the university area with downtown transit hubs, local shopping centers, and medical facilities.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Unrestricted Overhead Clearance: Open-air configuration accommodates tall pickups, commercial vans, and sports utility vehicles.
- ADA Accessible Parking: Designated accessible spaces situated close to main pedestrian sidewalks and campus building entrances.
- Paved & Marked Stalls: Solid asphalt surface with well-maintained striping for organized traffic circulation.
- Nighttime Illumination: High-mast pole lighting across the entire lot for enhanced driver and pedestrian visibility during evening classes and events.
- Direct Trail Connections: Seamless access to campus walking paths and the recreational trails of Gottfried Arboretum.
Ideal For
- University Students, Faculty & Staff: Convenient daily parking for classes, labs, and faculty offices.
- Arboretum Visitors & Hikers: A great starting point for exploring the wildlife observation areas and native plant trails.
- Event & Performance Guests: Hassle-free parking for community lectures, theatrical productions, and civic gatherings on campus grounds.
- Community Commuters: Quiet, accessible staging location on the eastern periphery of Fond du Lac.
Visitor & Driver Tips
During active fall and spring academic semesters, standard campus parking regulations and permit requirements may be enforced during peak daytime hours (typically Monday through Friday between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM). Visitors attending community events, walking the Gottfried Arboretum trails, or visiting during weekends and evenings generally enjoy relaxed parking restrictions, but always inspect posted signs at the entrance of each aisle. In winter months, watch for designated overnight snow emergency regulations to ensure unobstructed municipal and campus plowing.
