Facility Overview

The Elwell Parking Lot is a dedicated open-air surface parking facility strategically situated along E Pine Ave in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania (coordinates: 41.005625, -76.449298). Conveniently adjacent to Elwell Residence Hall on the campus of Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg (Bloomsburg University), this parking area primarily caters to university students, academic staff, and campus visitors. Because it is an outdoor, uncovered surface lot, there are no overhead ceiling restrictions, offering unlimited vertical clearance that comfortably accommodates standard passenger cars, large pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and high-roof transit vans alike.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned on the eastern residential edge of Bloomsburg University’s main campus, Elwell Parking Lot offers immediate walking access to critical campus destinations and town highlights:

• Elwell Hall & Campus Residence Quarters: Located steps from the facility, making it premier parking for residential students and moving-day check-ins.
• Academic Quad & Kehr Union Building (KUB): A short 5 to 7-minute walk connects visitors to campus student life facilities, bookstores, and lecture halls.
• Nelson Field House & Athletic Complexes: Reachable within a brief 10 to 12-minute walk or quick campus shuttle hop for university athletics and games.
• Downtown Bloomsburg & Main Street: Located just a 10 to 15-minute walk (less than a half-mile) south, offering access to beloved local diners, cafes, boutiques, and the historic Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble (BTE).
• Bloomsburg Fairgrounds: Located roughly 1.5 miles away, easily accessible by a 5-minute vehicle drive during town events and seasonal exhibitions.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to the lot is straightforward via E Pine Ave, feeding from Penn Street and Lightstreet Road (PA Route 487). Its quiet neighborhood setting allows for orderly ingress and egress without the bottlenecking common to central downtown parking garages. Drivers traveling regionally can access the lot directly from Interstate 80 (Exit 236 for Bloomsburg/Route 487) or US Route 11, both within a quick 5-to-10-minute drive. The campus is also serviced by regular Bloomsburg University campus shuttle routes that link upper and lower campus areas, while regional transit providers like the Columbia County Council on Aging and intracity bus networks offer connection points near downtown Main Street.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Lot: Generous outdoor bays with wide drive aisles and no height clearance barriers.
• Well-Lit Environment: Campus-maintained exterior pole lighting for driver safety during evening hours.
• Campus Security & Emergency Call Boxes: Regularly patrolled by university police services with nearby campus blue light emergency stations.
• Accessible Parking: Designated ADA parking spaces positioned close to pedestrian access pathways.
• Campus Permitted & Metered Availability: Managed under Bloomsburg University parking regulations, typically supporting digital university parking permits or guest visitor passes.

Ideal For

• University Students & Campus Residents: Especially convenient for those living in or visiting Elwell Hall and surrounding campus housing.
• Faculty & Staff: An efficient parking base for morning commuters heading to eastern and central campus academic facilities.
• Prospective Students & Campus Visitors: Exceptional starting point for guided campus tours and administrative appointments.
• Local Town Eventgoers: A dependable peripheral parking choice when downtown street spaces are congested during peak events.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Because the lot is managed under Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg regulations, drivers should always check on-site signage regarding specific permit restrictions (such as student, staff, or open hours) during the academic term from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Campus parking rules are actively monitored, and visitors are strongly advised to secure a valid guest parking permit through the campus university police or parking portal to prevent ticketing. When arriving for move-in weekends or major graduation events, plan to arrive early as nearby campus roads experience elevated vehicular traffic.