Help Me Overcome Parking Lot Paranoia

[Sugar Magnolia]

My little center is located a block from a majorly large high school. The high school is undergoing renovations and has relocated their parent pick up car loop. Once located on the opposite side of the campus from us, it is now located on our side. Instead of going through the line and waiting their turn, these parents are apparently telling their kids to meet them just off campus. For over a week now, my tiny 5 space parking lot has had a constant parade of unauthorized parking. High school lets out at 215, right in the middle of nap time.... Doors slamming, kids talking loud, cars idling. I have been politely shooing them or......"this is private parking...you can't park here.....you are disrupting nap.....my clients need this parking" My husband says it's no big deal, but I disagree. I paid an architect $2000 to design it and $10k to have it installed. It's mine. Besides, I think it's a security issue!

So is it a big deal? Or am I being difficult? I don't want to put ugly signs everywhere, but I'm sick of patrolling it daily. The construction at the high school will take a YEAR.

WWYD?

[Heidi]

Put the signs up. You are right, it is private property.

You could call your local police dept and explain the problem. See if they can help by sending an officer over? Or, call a tow-truck company and tell them to be ready for a LOT of business. ::

[CraftyMom]

I would be putting up caution tape and signs, at least during school pick up time. A year is too long! And there is no way you are going to get through to that many people.

You could always complain to the school, but how are they going to stop it?

Blocking it off is your best bet

Signs that say "Private lot, no cars in this lot except for daycare. License plate numbers WILL be taken and reported"

[Unregistered]

Could you use some type of temporary road block across the entrance during that time of day? (I'm picturing a chain suspended from two poles on heavy bases.)

[butterfly]

I know you don't want to, but I'd post some private property signs/violators will be towed or Sugar Magnolia customer parking only. I don't think you should have to police it. I think that's a much greater safety concern - personally policing it and shoeing them away - than just posting a sign.

Glad I don't have to deal with that issue here! :hug:

[Unregistered]

The way I see it you have a few options:

1) Ignore them and just let them park there for the 30 minutes or so in the name of public relations.
2) Put up a sign notifying it private property and arrange for the police to patrol at the problem times
3)Put up a sign to start charging a parking fee and everytime you see a non parent park there go out to collect your fee.
4)Put up cones to block the lot during "high school pick up times"

[Sugar Magnolia]

Put the signs up. You are right, it is private property.

You could call your local police dept and explain the problem. See if they can help by sending an officer over? Or, call a tow-truck company and tell them to be ready for a LOT of business. ::

They never get out of their cars, just sit there! I'm sure they would pull out as out as they saw a tow truck. I doubt the police will do anything, they don't even break up fights in the street after school.:confused:
Ugh.

[Unregistered]

Put up a sign to start charging a parking fee and everytime you see a non parent park there go out to collect your fee.

Extra income

[Sugar Magnolia]

I would be putting up caution tape and signs, at least during school pick up time. A year is too long! And there is no way you are going to get through to that many people.

You could always complain to the school, but how are they going to stop it?

Blocking it off is your best bet

Signs that say "Private lot, no cars in this lot except for daycare. License plate numbers WILL be taken and reported"

Sigh. I guess I should get ugly signs. Complain to the school?:: The neighborhood association has been complaining for years. The high school had been there since 1929. That is always their comeback.:

[My3cents]

They never get out of their cars, just sit there! I'm sure they would pull out as out as they saw a tow truck. I doubt the police will do anything, they don't even break up fights in the street after school.:confused:
Ugh.

cones with a nice sign on them- make it friendly and call the school and explain the issue~ I would use the cones for a bit and then they will get the hint. If not put them back out. Or use permanent signage

I have the same issue but its my home. When cars pull in, it creates noise and really there is not much I can do about this. It does startle the kids when they are sleeping because they are used to no noise and then they will hear a door slam. Nap time is precious to me so I find it very annoying. white noise? I do this already and it still doesn't help-

[snbauser]

I would block off the entry/exit ways during pick up time. Tell your parents if they need to pick up during that time to call you first and you will have someone meet them at the entry way to move the cones for them. I don't think anything else will do any good.

[Sugar Magnolia]

The way I see it you have a few options:

1) Ignore them and just let them park there for the 30 minutes or so in the name of public relations.
2) Put up a sign notifying it private property and arrange for the police to patrol at the problem times
3)Put up a sign to start charging a parking fee and everytime you see a non parent park there go out to collect your fee.
4)Put up cones to block the lot during "high school pick up times"

My husband could have written your #1 point! :: maybe you are both right! It just BUGS THE CRAP outta me.
I think I like blocking the entrance, but it's just one more darn task every day. Ugh

[Sugar Magnolia]

Could you use some type of temporary road block across the entrance during that time of day? (I'm picturing a chain suspended from two poles on heavy bases.)

Brilliant! Yes the entrance is cut through a wall..String a plastic.chain across This could work! And it's not as ugly as signs. Curb appeal is important to me. Thank you!

[Sugar Magnolia]

Sooooo..... there was a violator out there as I was reading all your responses......I stayed put and just watched. The high school kid came about 3 inches from knocking over my motorcycle as he was getting in the car. Holy jeez, that would've been a scene. GRRRRRRR you don't mess with a woman's Ninja.

[Unregistered]

Brilliant! Yes the entrance is cut through a wall..String a plastic.chain across This could work! And it's not as ugly as signs. Curb appeal is important to me. Thank you!

And inexpensive. And temporary. And if you have an event when you want to look spiffed up, you can take it down.