City to increase enforcement, survey neighbors after game‑day parking complaints near Stuart Smith Park

The Ames City Council discussed neighborhood complaints about game‑day parking near Stuart Smith Park on Aug. 26 and directed staff to step up enforcement and consider changes if problems continue.

Council referred a resident letter describing vehicles staging or parking near the park ahead of football games and leaving cars for extended periods. Public works and parking staff said they will increase enforcement on busy game days, emphasize prohibitions on alcohol consumption in parks where applicable, and evaluate whether temporary parking restrictions or targeted permitted parking on game days would help.

Staff advised that enforcing a 40‑hour parking limit can be difficult because drivers sometimes move a car briefly and reset the clock. Council agreed staff should first try stepped enforcement and outreach; if problems persist, staff will survey nearby residents about options such as game‑day no‑parking zones or temporary restrictions and return to council with recommendations.

City management said they had already contacted the resident who raised the issue and that neighbors appeared satisfied with the interim steps.