My Cars Happy Place: Rangers Opinions on Student Parking Structure

The Student Parking Lot is the only parking lot reserved for Redwood student drivers. To solve the problem of not enough parking for students, some students pitched their ideas and this is what they said.

By: Emma Largoza & Fabian Anguiano

We are at the time of the year when we have reached the second semester of school and more sophomores are getting their licenses. This has led to parking spots getting more difficult to find near campus.

April Redden, ‘26, is “17 and has been driving for a year.” She parks “in front of the school, like in the three-hour parking.” “Not crazy important because I always get to my class, but it makes me a little late to class sometimes, which is kind of annoying when you can’t find a parking spot.”

Marcos Cenobio, ‘26, is also “17 and has been driving for a year and a half.” He parks in the “Student parking lot.” “It’s very bad. I have to get here early, but since I have pre-first, it’s okay.” 

Parking is “Very important because I don’t have a different type of transportation to school,” said Cenobio.

If students are unable to get a parking spot, they often park in the three-hour parking zone. This puts them at risk to get a ticket, for something that they cannot control, which is the lack of parking spots near Redwood.

Natalie Ocana, ‘27, is “16 and have been driving since last year in October.” She parks “in front of the Tennis courts across the street. I think it’s really nice. Especially if we get here early, I feel like there’s a lot of available parking more than people think there is.” 

Ocana’s advice to people who struggle with finding parking is “maybe getting there earlier or finding areas that are hidden or streets that are on main street, there’s a lot of parking. Very, because I like parking spaces that are close to after school, I get there fast and that doesn’t have a lot of traffic.”

Redwood students often struggle to find parking spots. Which sometimes leads to students being late for class. 

Diego Brown, ‘27, is “15 and have been driving for 3 months.” He parks “over on student. It’s crazy and messed up. I would say be more cautious, and careful.”

Stryder Gailey, ’27, is “17 and about a year.” “Oh it’s horrible, the chaos is fun though, you know. Me and my friend and I are going to plow over the highway. That’s a good idea right there. Make all that into parking or go double-decker. We take out the solar panels and make two layers of parking.”

Sehrish Hirani, ‘27, is “16 and have been driving with my permit for seven months. I park on the island and have my license too.”

 “Actually, in my AP class we were talking about it because we were talking about mechanisms and sustainability. How expanding land is not as healthy as building up. It would be so much better if they built a parking garage because that is a lot more room to park. It also does not take up as much space. I mean obviously there are other factors that go into that, but I think it’s a good idea they should consider,” said Hirani.

“Parking is  very important to me personally, like parallel parking is very hard for me. Then it’s like you want to make sure that you’re at a good parking distance to where it’s not going to take so long back to your car,” said Hirani.

“Also a good parking distance to where it’s not always in the sun because when it gets hot, like the other day I literally sat in my car and my steering wheel was burning. So you need to consider a lot of different factors when it comes to parking and that’s why it’s so important especially when it comes to school,” said Hirani.

Gailey said, “Parking is my life.”

Robert Delgadillo, ’28, shared at what age he started driving, and if he has been enjoying it, “[Age] 5, [and] yes I have.”

What are Delgadillo’s thoughts on the student parking at Redwood? “It’s too packed, we need more parking space.”

What does Delgadillo think Redwood should do about this issue? “By adding more parking room, near  vista, like a parking near vista, we have a lot of space over there.”

How would Delgadillo fix it himself? “If I were in control, I would have a parking lot near Vista, a big parking lot, not like the one we have here on Main because it is packed, always, so the kids that drive don’t have to park two blocks away.”

Marcos Cenobio – Alverado, ’26, shared what age he started driving and if he has been enjoying it, “At 15, yes.”

Speaking of driving, what does Cenobio think about the student parking at Redwood? “There is not enough of it, and there needs to be more parking space.”

Christian Diaz, ’26, shared what age he started driving and if he has been enjoying it so far, “14, [I’ve] kind of [enjoyed it so far].”

What are Diaz’s Thoughts on Redwoods student parking lot? “I think it’s a little crazy because there’s too many cars and stuff.”

How would Diaz fix it himself? “I would buy out the property next to the school and turn that into a whole entire parking garage.”

Miguel Ceballos, ’28, shared the age he started driving and if he has been enjoying it, “Probably like 7. Yeah I do enjoy it.”

What are Ceballos’ thoughts on Redwood’s student parking lot? “The driving, the parking, it’s so annoying. Like people don’t know how to park properly, people just take too many spots.”

How would Ceballos fix the issue? “I’ll make the parking a little bit bigger by expanding it.”