Facility Overview

Lot 61 is a primary open-air surface parking facility situated on the campus of Central Michigan University (CMU) in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Positioned on the southwestern side of campus, this expansive paved lot is specifically designed to accommodate student, faculty, staff, and visitor vehicles accessing major academic, fitness, and athletic venues. Because it is an outdoor, grade-level facility with no overhead canopies or multi-story height restrictions, it offers unlimited vertical clearance. This makes it exceptionally well-suited for all types of standard passenger cars, large pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and appropriately permitted taller transport vans.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lot 61 provides unbeatable pedestrian access to prominent campus destinations and athletic facilities:

• Student Activity Center (SAC): Directly adjacent to or steps from the lot, making it the most convenient parking choice for intramural sports, weight rooms, aquatic facilities, and student life programming.
• McGuirk Arena & Rose Center: Located within a short 3- to 5-minute walk, ideal for attending Chippewas men's and women's NCAA Division I basketball and gymnastics events.
• Kelly/Shorts Stadium: Situated just a short distance south across Broomfield Road, serving as a popular staging and parking point during CMU football game days.
• Theunissen Stadium & Margo Jonker Stadium: CMU baseball and softball complexes are accessible within a 5- to 8-minute stroll.
• Academic Quad & Park Library: Academic lecture halls and campus hubs are easily reachable via paved, illuminated campus walking paths.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Lot 61 is accessed directly via campus connector routes off West Broomfield Road and West Campus Drive, facilitating smooth ingress and egress before and after high-volume athletic events and daily class changeovers. For drivers connecting from regional transit routes, the lot is located just minutes west of US-127 (Business Route/Mission Street) and M-20 (Pickard Street), providing quick highway access to Midland, Clare, and Lansing. The campus is also served by the Isabella County Transportation Commission (I-Ride) bus system, featuring dedicated campus shuttle loops and stops nearby that connect students and visitors across the Mount Pleasant community.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Spacious, open-air surface stalls with clear striping and wide driving aisles for easy vehicle maneuverability.
• Designated ADA accessible parking stalls conveniently positioned close to primary pedestrian access walkways.
• Comprehensive exterior area lighting and high-visibility campus safety call boxes connected directly to the CMU Police Department.
• Digital parking management with mobile permit registration and hourly/daily visitor passes managed through campus parking portals or apps such as ParkMobile.
• Unrestricted vertical clearance accommodating oversized personal trucks, vans, and utility vehicles.
• Well-maintained, paved pedestrian sidewalks connecting directly to core athletic and academic complexes.

Ideal For

• Central Michigan University students and faculty utilizing campus recreational and athletic facilities.
• Spectators attending Chippewas basketball games, gymnastics meets, and wrestling matches at McGuirk Arena.
• Football fans seeking reliable parking within walking proximity of Kelly/Shorts Stadium tailgating zones.
• Community members participating in fitness programs, swim meets, and community events hosted at the Student Activity Center.
• Prospective students, visiting families, and guest lecturers attending university meetings.

Visitor & Driver Tips

• Permit Regulations: CMU Parking Services strictly enforces parking permits during peak weekday operational hours (typically 2:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday). Always check posted signage or secure a temporary visitor pass via the online portal or mobile pay app before leaving your vehicle.
• Game-Day Operations: On CMU Chippewas football and major basketball game days, regular parking rules may be suspended in favor of special event rates or donor/permit-only passes. Arrive at least 45 to 60 minutes early to beat traffic.
• Winter Weather: During winter months, pay close attention to overnight parking bans and snow removal operations to avoid citations or vehicle relocation.
• Navigation: Enter via Broomfield Road and follow campus directional wayfinding signs pointing toward the SAC and athletic recreation zones to locate the entrance smoothly.