Downtown Streets & Parking
Parking on the street
The time limit for on-street parking in the downtown district is 2-hours, unless otherwise posted. Most on-street parking is free.
Lot: 1, 3 & 4
- Meters are enforced Monday through Friday 9 am - 5 pm.
- They accept nickels, dimes and quarters.
- One hour of parking costs $0.50 Cents
There are two types of meters: 3-hour meters and 10-hour meters.
- 3- hour meters have yellow heads & 3-hour meters are generally closer to the businesses
- 10-hour meters have black heads. 10-hour meters are generally in the backs of the parking lots.
*Parking is free on Saturdays & Sundays, after 5 pm, and on designated holidays.
*Handicap parking is free and located in city lots (time limitations are still enforced).
Downtown address system
The intersection of Wooster and Main Streets marks the boundaries of East/West and North/South Street designations. The odd and even street numbers change sides of the street at this intersection as well.
Lot 2: Parking Kiosk
Please see "Changes to Parking in City Lots" below for more details.
Changes to Parking in City Lots
March 6, 2019
The City of Bowling Green Ohio has issued a press release that includes updates to parking in City Lots.
"BOWLING GREEN- In February, City Council revised certain rules and regulations related to parking within City-owned parking lots. In addition to the fee modification to $0.50 an hour, there were also changes to make it easier to park and spend time in the downtown. Short term parking time limits, within parking lots, have increased from 2 to 3 hours. Due to safety concerns, handicapped parking is not available on Main Street, where there is no change for parking. Therefore, Council removed the fee for handicap parking in the parking lots. Those with a current and valid handicap placard may now park for free in designated handicapped spaces within City-owned parking lots (timed parking will be enforced).
Currently, parking within the City Parking Lot 2 is free. After reviewing feedback from downtown businesses, property owners, and visitors, the City will replace the kiosks in Lot 2 in April 2019. The new kiosks are more user friendly, allow users to input their information in any order they choose, and offers a mobile app (Park Smarter). The use of the Park Smarter mobile app will allow visitors to add time from their smart phones. It is anticipated that the new kiosks will be installed sometime in March, at which time the fee to park will apply in Lot 2.
The public is encouraged to watch a how-to-video for the kiosk and a how-to video for the Park Smarter mobile app. The kiosk video may be accessed from http://vimeo.com/99759830 ; the video for the Park Smart mobile app may be accessed from http://vimeo.com/218077854 .
There is no charge to the 157 free 2 hour on-street parking spaces within the downtown".
For further information please contact: Joe Fawcett at 419-354-6204 or visit www.bgohio.org
The word on the streets
Construction downtown
Currently, the city is doing work that involves updating the water lines. Construction can be tricky and can vary from day to day. We check the city's website for regular updates via their "Construction Updates". Click the button below to see the city's news page or contact the Engineering Division at 419-354-6227.
Street Closures
The following events are known to cause temporarily street closures:
Main Street:
- Classics On Main- July 13, 2019
- Black Swamp Arts Festival- September 6, 7, & 8th 2019
- Firefly Nights- June 21, July 19, & August 16, 2019
- Firefly Nights Fall Festival- October 18, 2019
- Holiday Parade- November 23, 2019
Clough Street (Prospect to Main Street):
- Farmers' Market- May to October
*More specific instructions will be released closer to the event.