Parking In I'On

I'On was designed according to the traditionally derived community planning principals of the new urbanism.  This school of thought deliberately reduces emphasis on and accommodations to the automobile.   Large, asphalt parking lots are simply incompatible with a walkable, pedestrian oriented landscape.  Imagine, for instance, the amphitheater surrounded by five hundred hard surfaced parking spaces instead of the sheltering houses and green spaces which define it now.

Obviously the cars of residents and visitors must still be placed somewhere.  The good news is that I'On, a community designed for 761 households has over 3500 designed in, publicly available parking spaces distributed throughout the community.  This is in addition to at least another 1200 spaces available on the property of residents.  Many of these are designed only for occasional use.  They are distributed throughout the community, rather than concentrated.  I'On has been recognized with several national awards for its town planning, including its road network and parking mechanisms.

Bear in mind that over half the audience at I'Onissimo! concerts comes from I'On and the surrounding neighborhoods on foot, by bicycle and golf cart and does not need to park at all, conserving this resource for our visitors.

The image at right shows an alley two blocks from the Amphitheater with a parking strip that can accommodate 20 vehicles.  The parking strip is along the left side of the paved alley.

The largest single parking resource in I'On is usually overlooked by visitors because it is basically hidden.  The alleys which run through blocks, behind houses and elsewhere in the neighborhood are generally lined with grass parking strips.  This is why these alleys and lanes do not have concrete curbing.  Unless it has been extremely wet, it is perfectly OK to park in these areas.  Often you will see tire tracks showing these areas are used for this purpose.

Alleys and lanes can be hard to find until you are experienced in looking for them.  They are often only nine feet wide and may be confused for driveways.  One clue that there may be an alley behind a group of houses is the fact that the driveways in that area do not run out to the street.  In such places driveways and parking pads are generally connected to a back alley.

You may be surprised at the untidy look of the alleys compared to I'On's streets.  They are often cluttered.  This is how they are designed.  We've got junk too and it has to go somewhere.  You'll also find boats parked along these alleys, trash cans, cable boxes, utility equipment and most of our larger adult toys.

On Street Parking in I'On

Another major parking resource planned into I'On is on street parking.  Since I'On has a full sidewalk network, parking cars on the streets actually promotes pedestrian safety.  People do not need to walk in the gutter or on the shoulder of the road.  On street parking slows traffic and operates as a traffic calming device.  It "armors" the sidewalk, creating distance and a barrier which makes pedestrians feel sheltered from traffic.  Parking is allowed on both sides of the street so that cars have to weave through the community, reducing travel speeds.  Often this produces yield conditions, where less than two full lanes are available for travel, forcing drivers to come to a stop and take turns.  All of this is a planned, deliberate response to excessive automobile speeds becoming a problem in other neighborhoods across America.  The maximum planned speed of automobile travel here is 20 mph, with many streets designed to operate at speeds of 10 mph or less.

When parking on the street it is important to consider the location of vehicles already there.  Please leave one full lane available for the passage of emergency vehicles.  Usually driving down a short distance further will open the passage so vehicles can "slalom" down the street  like a very slow, downhill skier.

There are traditional parking lots in I'On as well.  The largest is a group of small parking areas around I'On Square, just inside the community off the traffic circle.  These areas are hidden behind the buildings to reduce their visual and social impact.  About 100 spaces can be found here.  You will probably want to bring a wagon to transport your chairs from the square to the amphitheater, a distance of about 7 blocks. 

To reach the amphitheater from I'On Square walk East on Civitas Street, towards the I'On Club.  At Ponsbury, turn North, left and walk to Sowell Street.  Turn West, left on Sowell Street and walk 2 short blocks to Lee Ann Lane.  Turn North, right on to Lee Ann Lane and walk one block.  The amphitheater will be visible across the lake when you reach Latitude lane.  If you park on the Square consider visiting O'Brion's Pub or the Square Onion Deli for take out food or refreshment.  This walk should take about 12 minutes unless you get bogged down socializing, a common occurrence on I'On's busy sidewalks.

Right, The Belles Fleurs Building.  Parking on I'On Square can be found behind this building.

For a real treat, consider parking on I'On Square a little early and walking through the Rookery Wildlife Refuge, which features two observation towers.  It is actually a shortcut.  A detailed walking trail guide for I'On, the I'On Village Walk, has an online, downloadable guide to this shortcut.  See www.ioncommunity.com and click on the Village Walk link.

Two community athletic fields are available for parking and may be opened for major events.  The soccer field on Eastlake Road and Maybank Field, on Shelmore Blvd.  Check the concert notice to see if these areas will be open.  Their use depends on weather conditions since they can't be used when soft, wet ground will result in major turf damage.  Together these fields can accommodate about 250 cars.  If these areas are utilized, an attendant will be present.

This page will be revised further this season.  Feel free so contact us with your input.

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