In an effort to alleviate parking congestion during the first weeks of the fall semester, College of the Canyons is offering a free stacked parking service in Lot 13 of the Valencia campus.

Parking attendants will direct drivers to park in aisles when designated parking spaces have been filled. Drivers will then receive a key claim ticket in exchange for their vehicle keys.

“As the college continues to grow, parking availability has become a source of frustration for many students,” said Michael Wilding, Assistant Superintendent and Vice President of Student Services at the college. “We hope this temporary measure makes parking easier for students during the first weeks of the semester.”

The free parking attendant service will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday until October 6.

Attendants will wear an identification tag and will be ready to assist at the Lot 13 ticket kiosk or entrance. Tipping is not required.

COC freshman student Sara Nelsen was having trouble finding a parking spot on Monday morning when she saw the stacked parking sign.

“This is super cool,” said Nelsen, who has already been late to class this semester as a result of searching for parking. “I just appreciate that it’s here now.”

To claim keys, drivers must show their key claim tickets to a Lot 13 attendant who will then direct them to the location of their vehicles.

Drivers who need to claim their keys after 5 p.m. must go to the Campus Safety Department located in building X-6 with their key claim ticket and driver’s license.

Drivers are urged not to leave personal belongings in their vehicles and to not park in unmarked spaces without the direction of an attendant. Vehicles that are parked illegally may be cited and/or towed as a result.

Parking permits are still required in Lot 13.

At the college’s Canyon Country campus, the addition of Lot 1 added more than 200 new parking spaces for students just in time for the start of the fall semester. Construction of that new lot was funded by Measure M, the general obligation facilities bond that local voters approved in November 2006.