Students at L&N STEM Academy in downtown Knoxville want better parking options.
According to a Knox County Schools spokesperson, parking at the Academy is "unique" because Knox County Schools doesn't own parking there--all lots available to students are owned by the city or Public Building Authority.
"We all love coming to school here but the only thing we've had to struggle with over the past four years is adequate parking, which is nothing to do with our school because they try to do everything they can to get parking available," said student Haley Folsom.
Students say they sometimes try parking at the Knoxville Museum of Art and World's Fair Park across the street, but there is a four-hour limit and it's ticket-enforced.
Recently, two nearby lots became permit-required at $50 per month.
So students say many of them park at Blackstock Lot, a free and public lot off Grand Avenue.
But some students and parents don't feel very comfortable about the lot. They say people can come and go without being seen, and it's not well monitored.
"These students find themselves somewhat isolated walking from the lot to the school, and the concern there is that it has potential for an issue," parent David Parker said.
"It's try to find a buddy if you can, but if you can't, be aware of your surroundings," said student Hyatt Christenberry.
L&N students can take a bus to their base school and take a second bus to the Academy, or they can take public transportation.
But students say that's not feasible when they are involved in dual-enrollment programs and extra-curriculars. They say a car is often a necessity. They say many students come from far-out parts of the county where it's also not reasonable to carpool or take a bus.
Next week, the Blackstock Lot will be used as a staging area for the Knoxville Boat Show, so students can't park there. L&N administrators said it has resolved the issue--students can park in the lot across the street without being ticketed. But students say that lot is often full.
The city said students can also park at the lot on Jackson Avenue next to Barley's Pizza and take a trolley to campus.
The city also said L&N administrators have not reserved any parking spaces to students in the Blackstock lot.
Students say they would like to see solutions such as more security in the lot, waiving tickets or lowering monthly permit prices.
According to a schools spokesperson, individual schools determine parking policies and pricing for permit, which ranges between campuses.
"We just think there's already so many barriers to getting an education, why should you have to worry about parking?" Folsom said.