Trying to find a place to park during this weekend
’s Mushroom Mardi Gras should be no more difficult than finding
one during the annual Taste of Morgan Hill, held in the downtown
every September.
Trying to find a place to park during this weekend’s Mushroom Mardi Gras should be no more difficult than finding one during the annual Taste of Morgan Hill, held in the downtown every September.
Even though this is the first year the Mushroom Mardi Gras will be held downtown, organizers and officials do not see parking as a big problem.
“I don’t think this will be any different from parking during the Taste,” Morgan Hill Police Lt. Joe Sampson said. “Organizers included that aspect early on in the game plan for the Mardi Gras.”
The festival will not be held in Community Park, its home in years past, because the large lot adjacent to the park which is normally used for parking is the site for the new Indoor Recreation Center. Though the official groundbreaking for the site is scheduled for the day the festival ends, grading and preparation work have already begun.
Sampson said organizers and MHPD are aware of the needs of downtown residents, who, during the bicycle criterium April 10, were unable to get to their homes because of street closures.
“That was taken into consideration during the planning,” he said.
Event Director Sunday Minnich said Monday that during the bike race, several streets, such as Depot Avenue, were closed to traffic, but will not be closed during the festival.
“Monterey Road will be closed for the festival from 7pm on Friday to 10pm on Sunday,” she said. “All parking lots will be accessible by Del Monte Avenue or Depot St. Downtown restaurants will be open on Friday night, with their parking lots accessible by Del Monte or Depot.”
For those who plan on attending the event and live close to the downtown, walking is a good option. The CalTrain station parking lot, located between Depot and Butterfield Blvd., is an option if driving.
Minnich also said a vacant lot at Church Street and E. Dunne Avenue will be available for parking.
“All you have to do is walk across the street to get to the festival,” she said.
There will be no remote parking lots with shuttles buses available, as there have been in the past when the festival was held in Community Park.
“We don’t see the need for that this year,” she said.
Signs directing visitors to the festival will be posted around town.
“We don’t anticipate any problems with the parking,” Minnich added.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. She can be reached by e-mail at md****@mo*************.com or phoning (408) 779-4106 ext. 202.
