Don’t even think about parking in University Place during the U.S. Open

The U.S. Open has the capacity to grind down our commute when the tournament begins in less than two weeks. More than 30,000 people a day are expected to squeeze into Pierce County to make it to Chambers Bay.

Here is your warning, if you plan to sneak into University Place to park.

Don’t get me wrong. University Place is absolutely thrilled to host the U.S. Open. It’s a little less thrilled with that many people clogging up its streets for a week. That’s why the USGA, University Place, and Pierce County put together the traffic plan that sends patrons to two shuttle parking lots so that fans will not take over area roads.

Fans should not attempt to sneak into University Place and try to park on a sidewalk or any open piece of land. There is no event parking anywhere near the course. There is no on-street parking within about mile of the course.

University Place public works director Gary Cooper said don’t even think about breaking the rules.

“That’s a time we’re not going to have great customer service for the people that try to circumvent the USGA’s plan and disrespect our citizens and come and try and clog the neighborhoods,” he said.

The threat of towing is real.

“We will have tow trucks and police staff standing-by,” Cooper said. “And if you try to sneak in and park somewhere you’re not supposed to, I hope you’ve got enough cash to pay the towing bill.”

Police checkpoints will be manned 24-hours a day from June 14 until the 22nd for the streets adjacent the course. The 89 residents that live inside the checkpoints have already received special daily passes to hang from their windshields.

“You get the Type-A personalities that want to sneak around and think ‘I don’t have to follow the rules’ they could cause a lot of traffic congestion,” Cooper said. “These neighborhood streets around here are narrow streets. We can’t have the parking on there and still allow for public safety access. We are going to be really strict.”

There is a drop-off spot at Sunset Primary School, about a ten minute walk from the course. Have a buddy drop you off and pick you up.

Bottom line: use the shuttle system. Fans coming from the south and the west should use the lot at Fort Steilacoom State Park. Fans coming from the north or the east should use the lot at the state fairgrounds in Puyallup.

There are also boat restrictions for the waters just west of the course. Violating that safety zone could run you $40,000.