Now that the last season in the Bob is over ...

[Norm Peterson]

It's OK to tell everyone where all the secret parking places were.

 

I used to get so irritated when people would post on here about parking in the Russian bottoms.  Nooooooooo!  Don't say that!  The more people who figure out that you can find great spots in the Russian bottoms, the more people who will park there and it screws the rest of us.

 

So, all throughout the 90s, there was a spot I would reliably get on the fairgrounds.  It wasn't an obvious spot and people would leave it alone and then I would park there and people would follow suit behind me.  It wasn't an obvious spot and it was generally always available.  It was at the top of the hill just east of the ice rink along the street, curbside.  So people would park in the parking lot and take all those spots.  I'd just park along the curb right next to them out in the street.  The spot was ALWAYS there.

 

Then, they changed the parking configuration I can't remember how long ago and it screwed things up.  So, I started parking in the Russian bottoms.  I can't tell you the street name or number but you know how the sidewalk leading from Devaney goes under the new overpass and next to the railroad tracks as it goes out toward the Russian bottoms?  The first street that you get to there as you walk along that sidewalk, it has "no parking" signs that are unusually far from the corner.  And I discovered that few people would risk pushing that limit.  Plenty of room from that sign to the corner and it was nearly always available.

 

In all my years of going down to Devaney and parking in that Russian bottoms area (at least since the beginning of the Doc era) I have always parked just past the "no parking" sign and was NEVER ticketed.  Ever.  I had THE CLOSEST spot in the Russian bottoms nearly every single game.  And it didn't cost me a dime to park there.

 

Those were my secret spots.  Anyone else?

[49r]

There was a little alley that ran back behind the last row of seats in the outdoor theater east of the IceBox, you entered it by circling around from the north side.  Few people knew about that little gem of a spot, and that was my place in the late 90's, after they blocked off what I called "magic parking".

 

"Magic parking" was found in the little lots behind the sheds on 17th (right across from the north ramp of Devaney - right next to where the stairs come down from 18th), and there was always, ALWAYS room for me to squeeze in, no matter how late I showed up to the game.  These spots were good for me through the heydays of the 90's.

 

I was never very good at getting parking in the bottoms.

[Swan88]

Under the over-pass, where the railroad tracks cross the creek--the tracks abut the parking lot on its North side, and the creek is immediately to its West. Simply step down the steep incline and follow the creek path to The Bob.

[Ron Mexico]

I didn't realize that area was called the Russian Bottoms. I always parked right next to that donor lot just across the street. Most people would head down the side streets thinking there spots a-plenty. The problem was that everyone else thought the same thing.

 

I already have a couple areas scoped out for next season that have a lot of potential. Parking is going to be a heck of lot more challenging for the arena, especially if you don't want to pay.

 

BTW, my criteria for parking is to get as close as possible without paying while having a "clean" exit.

[Silverbacked1]

By leaving at the under 4min. time out.

 

I never had any trouble getting caught in traffic.

[hal9000]

I parked where I would never have to worry about being stuck in a traffic jam on the way out of the fair grounds.  I was willing to walk the extra blocks, and because of it I never felt the temptation to leave early.

 

I parked at 19th and Holdrege.  19th actually dead-ends right before it intersects with Holdrege.  Never a problem parking there, just walk over the bridge, across the tracks and up to the south entrance. 

 

This did become more or a problem when they built the overpass, and I ended up having to walk a little farther around on the pathway, but always liked that spot because again, no traffice conjestion once I reached my car.

[Huskerpapa]

Either by the Indian Center Inc. or catty-corned across the street in a small lot.  In the past, I parked in the residential area of the North Bottoms.

[Bugeaters1]

By leaving at the under 4min. time out.

 

I never had any trouble getting caught in traffic.

So the guy that holds up the sign that says true fans dont leave early was meant for you.

[Jadler]

So Norm did you get that awesome snow removal ticket during the Iowa game? Pretty sure I've parked behind you damn near every game.

[PimpMario]

Donor lot plus long legs plus walking down on the court meant we never really had to wait much for get out.  If you are late getting out the donor lot can be a longer wait but usually not bad.

[Concrete]

I already have a couple areas scoped out for next season that have a lot of potential. Parking is going to be a heck of lot more challenging for the arena, especially if you don't want to pay.

true, but luckily it should be way easier to access.  doubt we'll be waiting in the car for 45 minutes if there is a halfway decent crowd.  Plus, you can get to the Haymarket early to eat, drink, etc and avoid the traffic

[49r]

I didn't realize that area was called the Russian Bottoms. I always parked right next to that donor lot just across the street. Most people would head down the side streets thinking there spots a-plenty. The problem was that everyone else thought the same thing.

 

I already have a couple areas scoped out for next season that have a lot of potential. Parking is going to be a heck of lot more challenging for the arena, especially if you don't want to pay.

 

BTW, my criteria for parking is to get as close as possible without paying while having a "clean" exit.

 

Man, if you don't want to pay for parking for games next season, all I can tell you is, you'd better pack a pair of roller-skates!

[Jadler]

I didn't realize that area was called the Russian Bottoms. I always parked right next to that donor lot just across the street. Most people would head down the side streets thinking there spots a-plenty. The problem was that everyone else thought the same thing.

 

I already have a couple areas scoped out for next season that have a lot of potential. Parking is going to be a heck of lot more challenging for the arena, especially if you don't want to pay.

 

BTW, my criteria for parking is to get as close as possible without paying while having a "clean" exit.

 

Man, if you don't want to pay for parking for games next season, all I can tell you is, you'd better pack a pair of roller-skates!

Well since Norm was irrate over me mentioning his good spot I'll just leave you guys to thinking that.

[TomEadesSucks]

I would just drink a bottle or two of Ny-Quil on my way to the game. Made a hour walk to and/or wait in my car seem like 30 seconds, and a damn fun 30 seconds at that.

[Tallbaby21]

As far N on 17th as possible S of Devaney under the overpass was a $3 city lot that worked pretty well. Lots of people parked for free in a University lot for free too. The thing about next year is that walking a long way through the Haymarket from a free spot will be pretty darn fun. Lots of possible spots. I really can't wait for the pregame atmosphere down there.

[uneblinstu]

I always parked in the Russian Bottom's, too, but I'd try to park on the north side of the street as often as possible because if I parked on the south side, I'd always have to cross traffic to turn around and get out of the neighborhoods.  If I parked on the north side, I could just merge.  the other thing is that if you cut over to Charleston from New Hampshire, that street was regulated by a street light at 10th, so you  didn't have to wait for a gap in traffic.

 

I never understood why people waited to get into the fairgrounds.  I passed that line of cars that went the length of that antelope valley overpass every game an just laughed, especially at the cars that were trying to merge right into that line of cars. 

 

I told a few friends that went to games from time to time to park in the neighborhoods and walk over and skip the fairgrounds all together   Nearly every single time they didn't want to put up with the hassle and just went to the fairgrounds.  They'd still be waiting to get out and I'd be home and on to the chatter nearly every single time.

[lang]

As you go West on Military from 14th street there is a little side street or alley that jets to the North between the military area and the Indian Center.   You can fit 20-30 cars in there--there are no preventative signs or nothing.   And if that was full, I'd just keep going North and turn into the Military lot ( which is south of UNL Transportation Services ).   There are signs to not park there, but clearly the hoops crowd did and they didn't do anything about it.

 

2 or 4 years ago, I believe the Creighton game was on a Sunday at 1 or 2 PM.  I parked in this tiny church parking lot of this tiny little charismatic Vietnamese church or maybe it was Spanish speaking...can't now remember.   It was north of Devaney around 14th and Saunders.  I wasn't the least bit worried...church was over for the day right ?   After the game, me and my buddy walk back to the car and we are TOTALLY boxed in and the service is really going on inside.  I'm not about to go in there and interrupt anything...so we wait and wait and wait.   Finally some people come out and they kind of see us there and after talking to them  seem to understand our plight.   The fella says they are almost done...it took another 45 minutes and that was after talking to a few more folks coming and going.   We were in that lot for at least 2 hours after the game.  Not a huge deal, I hadn't talked to my friend for awhile and we kind of got caught up on things.   That was  an odd situation for sure.

[Norm Peterson]

So Norm did you get that awesome snow removal ticket during the Iowa game? Pretty sure I've parked behind you damn near every game.

Lucky for me, I was delayed getting to the game that day or I would have had that same snow ticket.  I'm driving down there thinking there's no way "my" spot is still available.  And then I pull onto that street and see a couple of police cars and a whole line of tickets. As I'm driving by, the cop rolls down his window and warns me not to park on that side of the street and I tried to act all cool like I had no intention of doing that anyway.  So, I just pulled into that vacant lot there and just pulled up onto the grass (snow) and created a spot for myself there.     I had NEVER done that before, parked in whoever's yard that is.  But I figured, heck, at least a dozen other cars are there.  WTH.  

[Neebraska]

My favorite spot was actually Venson Hamilton's favorite spot.  I saw Venson roll up late for a game his senior year and park in front of the fire hydrant right outside Devaney by the Armory.  One of the security people told him he couldn't park there, and he yelled at them "What the f**k they gonna say when there ain't no center?"  He kept walking and his car was still there when the game was over.

[49r]

My favorite spot was actually Venson Hamilton's favorite spot.  I saw Venson roll up late for a game his senior year and park in front of the fire hydrant right outside Devaney by the Armory.  One of the security people told him he couldn't park there, and he yelled at them "What the f**k they gonna say when there ain't no center?"  He kept walking and his car was still there when the game was over.

 

/Thread

[nebrasketball10]

We parked in the same area as you during the 90s norm. And the aforementioned alley the last 4 years since I graduated college. Are they gonna charge for parking in the baseball lot next year?? My Dad's biggest concern about PBA is free parking.

[Noah121]

I loved my parking spot right in front of the Devaney Natatorium.  Always a spot for me--the perks of green transportation!

[hhcmatt]

And if that was full, I'd just keep going North and turn into the Military lot ( which is south of UNL Transportation Services ).   There are signs to not park there, but clearly the hoops crowd did and they didn't do anything about it.

Been parking here for the last 3 years or so.

Walk 5 minutes more, wait 15 minutes less, $0.

[TheGov21]

When I was in college there was a little student housing/apartment building just on the other side of the railroad tracks.  I was one of those jerks that took a spot in there.  Never had an issue with it.  Besides that I also parked to the East of the 'Bob along the fence line.  Never had any issues there. 

[jimmykc]

OK, now it comes out. For all my years at the Bob I simply parked in the area reserved for hockey fans west of the ice rink and squeezed outside the yellow lines where cars were supposed to park. It left just enough room for a car to still get past and I was never ticketed or told to move. The only drawback was getting past the guards with flashlights before they encased the area in amber (for all you Fringe fans).