Facility Overview

Lot 16 is a paved surface parking lot located on the historic Bowling Green State University (BGSU) campus in Bowling Green, Ohio. Serving faculty, staff, students, and campus visitors, the facility offers standard open-air parking bays situated right in the educational and cultural core of the university. Because it is a level, open-air lot with no overhead structure, there are zero vertical clearance limitations, making it completely accessible for standard passenger cars, large pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and commercial service vans. Wide driving aisles facilitate easy maneuvering and two-way circulation throughout the parking area.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lot 16 boasts an exceptional campus location, placing drivers steps away from core university facilities, lecture halls, and recreation spots. Notable destinations within direct walking distance include:

• Bowen-Thompson Student Union: The bustling campus center for dining, student services, and university events, located just a 3 to 5-minute walk away.
• Jerome Library: BGSU\'s primary academic research facility and architectural landmark, accessible within a 5-minute stroll.
• East Hall & Central Academic Buildings: Directly adjacent, providing immediate proximity for visitors attending departmental meetings, lectures, or seminars.
• Stroh Center & Doyt Perry Stadium: While athletic venues are located along the eastern perimeter of campus, Lot 16 provides an alternative parking base for campus-wide event days, reachable in a 12 to 15-minute walk or a quick campus shuttle ride.
• Downtown Bowling Green: Just over half a mile west along Wooster Street, featuring vibrant local eateries, coffee shops, and independent boutiques.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress to Lot 16 are straightforward, connecting drivers conveniently via Ridge Street, Thurstin Avenue, and East Wooster Street. The lot allows rapid transit to Interstate 75 (Exit 181), which sits just a few minutes east, providing seamless connectivity to Perrysburg, Toledo, and Findlay. On campus, visitors can connect to the BGSU Campus Shuttle system for quick, free transit to peripheral athletic facilities and remote lots. Additionally, the municipal BG Transit system provides on-demand public transportation across the broader City of Bowling Green.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-air surface parking with clearly marked stalls and wide driving lanes.
• Zero vertical height restrictions, accommodating high-roof vans, lifted trucks, and taller passenger vehicles.
• Designated accessible (ADA) parking spaces located near pedestrian walkways and curb ramps.
• Digital payment and visitor registration via mobile parking applications (such as PayByPhone).
• Well-illuminated premises with campus lampposts and nearby blue-light emergency phones linked to BGSU Campus Police.
• Proximity to pedestrian paths, crosswalks, and shuttle stops connecting across campus.

Ideal For

• Prospective students and families taking official BGSU campus tours.
• Guest lecturers, academic conference attendees, and departmental visitors.
• Commuter students and university staff needing convenient central-campus access.
• Visitors heading to campus performances, union events, and academic symposiums.

Visitor & Driver Tips

BGSU Parking Services strictly monitors on-campus parking lots during peak business hours (typically Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM). Visitors should utilize the PayByPhone app to register their license plate upon arrival to avoid citations. During major university functions, commencement weekends, or home athletic competitions, campus traffic increases significantly; arriving 15 to 20 minutes early is strongly encouraged to ensure a seamless parking experience.