Parking
Free, on the street or one of several ramps or lots downtown
Parking lots are on either side
The good news is that parking is free in downtown Joliet during JackHammers games. There is a lot of it --over 3,000 places. What's might be confusing is that the "obvious" parking lots are by PARKING PASS only. The JackHammers have an excellent map that shows the downtown ramps and surface parking lots, including handicap access. So you can pretty much park where ever you like (or can).
If you don't have the map (or forgot it). There are some simple things to remember:
- Most all parking lots and ramps are west of the stadium
That means west of the north-south train tracks - Commuter "Kiss and Ride" lots, as they do in joliet, double as ballpark parking
- Street parking is free in the evenings and weekends
So if you find a metered spot you like --take it! - Parking is not available on Jefferson, Mayor Art Schultz Dr., and Power Alley
These are the south, west and east sides of the stadium. - Look for parking signs
Drop Off Zone & Traffic Control
As you drive up to the ballpark you may think the traffic means there's parking. You'd be wrong.
Traffic is broken into three lanes. The left lane is drop off only. The other two are Thru Traffic. So you might consider dropping the family off at the entrance while you make a loop around the ballpark to park the car.
This also affects leaving the game too! Keep in mind this simple fact: 7,000 fans using only TWO lanes. Once past the traffic light south of the expressway you'll probably get away fast, but you may to be trapped with the JackHammer faithful if the police waving the crowds is overworked.
This "loop" is two blocks up to Eastern Ave. (and the High School), two blocks north to Clinton St., and at least two blocks back to the rail lines. As soon as you pass under the train tracks, you should start looking for parking --unless you spy an open parking spot on the street.