About this Location

Facility Overview

Lot 33 is a spacious, open-air surface parking lot situated on the eastern perimeter of the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) campus at 325 N Mercer Road in Bowling Green, Ohio. Serving academic buildings, residential halls, and athletic facilities, this level surface lot is configured with standard double-striped bays and generous driving aisles that provide convenient maneuvering. Because Lot 33 is completely uncovered, it features unobstructed overhead clearance, making it an excellent choice not only for standard sedans, compact cars, and crossovers, but also for lifted pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and high-roof conversion vans that typically struggle with urban parking garage ceiling limits.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned right along North Mercer Road, Lot 33 sits immediately adjacent to key university landmarks and community destinations:

Kreischer Quadrangle: Directly west of the lot, housing Ashley, Batchelder, Compton, and Darrow halls—a prime parking spot for students and visiting families (under a 2-minute walk).
BGSU Student Recreation Center: Located just across Ridge Street and Mercer Road, offering state-of-the-art fitness and aquatic facilities (3 to 5-minute walk).
Slater Family Ice Arena: Home to Falcon Hockey and public ice skating sessions, situated just north along Mercer Road (approx. 5-minute walk).
Perry Field House & Doyt L. Perry Stadium: BGSU indoor track and football stadium complexes are located within a short 7 to 10-minute walk northeast.
Tochigi Fuji Japanese Garden: A peaceful botanical feature located just southwest across Ridge Street.
Downtown Bowling Green: A quick 5-minute drive (approx. 1.5 miles) to local dining, boutique shopping, and entertainment along Main Street.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to Lot 33 is exceptionally straightforward via North Mercer Road and East Ridge Street. Drivers arriving from Interstate 75 can take Exit 181 (Wooster Street) or Exit 182, turning onto Mercer Road for direct, hassle-free navigation that avoids core campus traffic congestion. Multiple ingress and egress lanes facilitate steady flow during morning class rushes and post-game event departures. For non-driving transit, BGSU campus shuttle buses service nearby stops on Mercer and Ridge roads, offering rapid connections across the entire university campus, while regional transit and rideshare pickups are easily coordinated curbside.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Expansive Open-Air Surface: Unlimited vertical clearance with clear site lines and wide turn radiuses.
Accessible Parking: Designated ADA-accessible stalls positioned near pedestrian egress pathways.
Illumination & Safety: Outfitted with high-efficiency overhead pole lighting and active campus patrols managed by the BGSU Police Department.
Mobile Payment & Visitor Access: Supports digital visitor payment via the PayByPhone mobile application in designated visitor areas, as well as BGSU faculty, staff, and student permit validations.
Well-Maintained Pavement: Features clean asphalt surfacing with seasonal snow plowing and clear navigational signage.

Ideal For

BGSU Students & Faculty: Everyday parking for campus residents living in Kreischer Quad and commuters attending classes on East Campus.
Falcon Athletics Fans: Attending varsity hockey games at Slater Family Ice Arena or track and football events at Perry Field House and the stadium.
Campus Recreation Visitors: Convenient parking for fitness members and intramural participants using the Student Rec Center.
Visiting Parents & Guests: A dependable base during campus tours, student check-in, move-in weekends, and university commencements.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Lot 33 is managed under BGSU Parking Services regulations. To ensure a smooth visit, non-permit holders should verify posted signage at the stall or row level, as certain areas are permit-restricted during weekday hours (typically 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM). Visitors can register and pay for short-term hourly sessions through the PayByPhone app using the lot code listed on on-site signs. On major football or hockey game days, arrival 30 to 45 minutes prior to game time is recommended to secure spaces nearest to the venue gates.