Facility Overview

SWOCC Parking Lot #2 is a core designated open-air parking facility serving the Coos Campus of Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC), positioned at 1988 Newmark Avenue in Coos Bay, Oregon. Situated directly behind Tioga Hall and in close proximity to the central collegiate quad, this surface lot provides paved, well-marked parking in an idyllic coastal forest environment. The lot features an organized layout with wide two-way drive aisles, standard stalls, and designated accessible bays, offering smooth maneuverability for vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

Because SWOCC Parking Lot #2 is an open-air surface lot without an overhead deck or overhead barriers, it boasts open vertical clearance. Standard passenger vehicles, full-size pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), high-top work vans, and light commercial vehicles can navigate and park without height restrictions. Its thoughtful configuration ensures easy parking without the tight navigation typical of metropolitan multi-level garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Centrally located on the western rim of the college grounds, Parking Lot #2 places visitors steps away from administrative, academic, and cultural epicenters:

• Tioga Hall: Situated adjacent to Lot #2, housing the SWOCC Library, Tutoring & Writing Center, Adult Basic Education, and central administration offices.
• Hales Center for the Performing Arts: Just a 2- to 3-minute stroll away, hosting regional theater productions, guest lecturers, symphony concerts, and community celebrations.
• John Topits Park & Empire Lakes: Directly bordering the campus, accessible via immediate nature trailheads leading to scenic walking paths around Middle and Lower Empire Lakes.
• Student Recreation Center & Prosper Hall: Within a 5-minute walk, featuring indoor basketball courts, climbing walls, fitness facilities, and collegiate athletic events.
• Newmark Avenue Commercial District: Less than a mile away, providing rapid access to local dining, groceries, and retail shops along the Newmark corridor.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward via the primary campus loop connecting directly to West Newmark Avenue. The two-way access lanes minimize bottlenecks during morning class arrivals, campus shift changes, and evening performances at the Hales Center. For drivers arriving from outside Coos Bay, Newmark Avenue connects directly eastward to US Highway 101, linking north to North Bend and south to downtown Coos Bay, as well as westward toward the Cape Arago Highway (OR-540) and the Oregon Coast.

Public transit riders benefit from local service by Coos County Area Transit (CCAT), which maintains active bus stops along Newmark Avenue at the entrance of the SWOCC campus, offering convenient connections across the Bay Area transit loop.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Generous Open-Air Layout: Spacious ground-level parking stalls suited for both personal vehicles and larger campus-bound utility trucks.
• ADA Accessible Stalls: Clearly marked disabled parking spaces with level access routes and curb ramps leading smoothly toward Tioga Hall and neighboring academic buildings.
• Safety and Illumination: High-mast exterior pole lighting throughout the lot, combined with active 24/7 patrols conducted by SWOCC Campus Safety (541-297-4200).
• Immediate Trail Access: Conveniently located trailhead connection points directly accessing the walking trails around Empire Lakes and the surrounding coastal evergreen preserve.
• Complimentary Campus Parking: Free open parking for enrolled students, faculty, staff, and general campus visitors attending college business or community events.

Ideal For

• Students and Faculty: Direct access to classrooms, computer labs, study areas, and research resources within Tioga Hall, Sitkum Hall, and Dellwood Hall.
• Hales Center Event Attendees: Visitors attending weekend plays, musical performances, graduations, or guest lectures.
• Hikers and Nature Walkers: Outdoor enthusiasts exploring the multi-use recreation trails winding through John Topits Park and Empire Lakes.
• Campus Visitors and Community Members: Individuals visiting administrative offices, attending public board meetings, or participating in campus tours.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Parking on the Southwestern Oregon Community College campus is typically complimentary for visitors, students, and faculty, removing the need for meter feeds or third-party digital parking applications. However, parking spaces in Lot #2 fill up swiftly on weekday mornings between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM during the academic term, as well as on evenings when major theatrical shows or athletic matches take place. Drivers attending evening events at the Hales Center should plan to arrive 20 to 30 minutes early to secure a convenient space near the lit pedestrian footpaths. For GPS navigation, set your destination to 1988 Newmark Avenue, Coos Bay, OR, follow the campus ring road past the main gate, and take the loop drive around toward Tioga Hall.