Facility Overview

Chemeketa Community College Salem Campus Parking, located along the eastern sector of the campus off 45th Avenue NE (often designated in local mapping systems as 4th Ave), serves as a primary open-air surface parking facility for students, faculty, event visitors, and community members. Set amidst the tranquil, tree-lined landscape of Northeast Salem, this expansive parking area features unobstructed, ground-level paved parking laid out in organized bays with clear directional lane markings. Because the facility is entirely outdoor surface parking without overhead canopies or low parking garage ceilings, it offers open-sky vertical clearance, making it suitable for standard passenger vehicles, compact sedans, full-size SUVs, extended-cab pickup trucks, ADA accessible vans, and medium commercial or delivery vehicles. Driver circulation is optimized along the East Campus Loop, connecting seamlessly to internal campus corridors and perimeter access routes.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

This car park is strategically positioned directly adjacent to Chemeketa Community College’s premier athletic and specialized academic facilities. Within a 2- to 5-minute walk, visitors can access the Chemeketa Athletic Complex, including the baseball stadium, softball diamond, soccer fields, tennis courts, and the Building 7 gymnasium, making it the top destination for collegiate Storm sporting events. It also borders the state-of-the-art Chemeketa Agricultural Complex (Building 60), the Chemeketa Pavilion & Market (Building 61), and the Regional Fire Training Center. A short 6- to 10-minute stroll connects drivers across campus walkways to the Chemeketa Planetarium, Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery, central student union, and the Chemeketa Library. Beyond campus boundaries, the bustling Lancaster Drive NE retail corridor is located less than a mile west, offering dozens of casual dining establishments, major grocery stores, and retail centers.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Arriving drivers can access this parking area from the east via 45th Avenue NE or navigate across campus loops from the main Lancaster Drive NE entrance and Winema Place entries. Egress after major collegiate athletic games or campus events flows smoothly onto 45th Avenue NE, which provides quick, direct access north toward Silverton Road NE or south toward Sunnyview Road NE. Interstate 5 (Exit 256 for Market Street or Exit 258 for Portland Road) is situated just 2.5 miles to the west, enabling regional commuters from Keizer, Woodburn, Portland, and Albany to reach the parking grounds in under 10 minutes. For those utilizing public transit, the Cherriots bus system operates regular routes (such as Route 11 and Route 2) with dedicated transit stops situated along Lancaster Drive and the North Campus Loop, providing dependable connections across the Salem-Keizer metropolitan area.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Spacious, open-air surface parking with unrestricted overhead clearance suitable for oversized trucks, tall SUVs, and vans.
• Dedicated designated Accessible (ADA) parking stalls positioned close to paved pedestrian walkways, curb ramps, and building entrances.
• Energy-efficient campus pathway and perimeter lot lighting for enhanced nighttime visibility and personal safety.
• Bicycle racks and repair stations situated near neighboring facility entrances for multi-modal commuters.
• Active routine patrols and safety escort services provided by the Chemeketa Public Safety department.
• Clear regulatory signage, speed-calming measures (20 MPH campus limit), and well-striped parking bays.

Ideal For

• Chemeketa Community College students, faculty, and administrative staff attending daily academic lectures and laboratory sessions.
• Sports fans, visiting teams, and families attending Chemeketa Storm baseball, softball, soccer, and volleyball competitions.
• Community members visiting the Chemeketa Agricultural Complex, local plant sales, farmers markets, and Pavilion events.
• Attendees of public shows and educational screenings hosted at the Chemeketa Planetarium.
• Visitors attending regional conferences, professional development workshops, and community events on the east campus grounds.

Visitor & Driver Tips

• Observe Head-In Parking Regulations: Campus traffic code mandates head-in parking at all times; backing into marked spaces or driving through stalls is prohibited and subject to citations.
• Permit Requirements: Chemeketa Community College requires parking permits between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Ensure term decals, annual passes, or temporary visitor permits (available via Public Safety or campus information desks) are visibly displayed.
• Arrive Early for Athletic Matches: For weekend tournament doubleheaders or evening games, spaces closest to the ballfields fill quickly; plan to arrive 20 to 30 minutes before first pitch.
• Secure Valuables: Always roll up windows, lock vehicle doors, and keep backpacks, electronic devices, and personal belongings completely out of sight.
• Public Safety Assistance: If you require a battery jump start or an evening safety escort to your vehicle, contact Chemeketa Public Safety at 503-399-5023.