EKU First In Kentucky To Partner With ParkZen On Real-Time Parking App

Circling parking lots in search of an open space presents a familiar challenge for many college students. To reduce this challenge and enhance the campus experience, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has partnered with ParkZen to launch the EKU Park app. While many universities offer mobile parking payment tools, EKU is the first institution in Kentucky to work with ParkZen to provide real-time parking availability through a free, crowdsourced smartphone app.

“At EKU, we always look for innovative solutions that enhance our campus experience and remove the barriers that stand in the way of student success,” said EKU President David McFaddin.

In addition to providing real-time parking availability, EKU Park offers several other features designed to benefit students. With the app, students can receive notifications on parking restrictions, lot closures, traffic alerts, policy changes and citation warnings.

EKU Park uses anonymous, crowdsourced data to estimate parking availability across campus. When users enter or exit a lot, the app detects the change and updates the system in real time, allowing drivers to quickly locate open spaces. Accuracy improves as more students, faculty and staff participate.

EKU Park does not track users, store location history or sell user data. All location processing happens locally on the user’s device and is used only to anonymously detect when a parking space opens in an EKU lot.

Students can earn points for discounts on parking permits, citation forgiveness and other exclusive perks by using the app. At the end of each semester, EKU Parking and Transportation Services will offer parking permit refunds to the top three point earners.

For more information, Visit eku.edu/parking-transportation-services.