NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk Tides begin their baseball season on March 28, and fans heading to games this season should plan their travel ahead of time.
With limited parking available due to casino construction, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) encourages fans to take the Tide light rail and Elizabeth River Ferry to get to Harbor Park.
HRT, the City of Norfolk and the Norfolk Tides are teaming up again this season to provide free rides on The Tide light rail for every home game this season. Complimentary rides are available two hours before and after each game. Fans can show their ticket for that day’s game for a free ride on light rail to and from the stadium.
Fans are encouraged to park for free at three park-and-ride lots at Tide stations: Newtown Road Station (Newtown Road and Kempsville Road), Military Highway Station (Curlew Drive and Corporate Boulevard), and Ballentine/Broad Creek Station (Ballentine Boulevard and I-264).
New this season, fans coming from the western portions of Hampton Roads can take the ferry from North Landing in Portsmouth for free to and from the Harbor Park Landing for every game. Free rides are available only to the Harbor Park Landing, not to Waterside Landing.
Ferry service runs every 30 minutes beginning one hour before game time until one hour after the game ends. Parking for the ferry in Portsmouth is free at city garages after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends. The closest parking to North Landing may be found at the Harbor Court, Water Street, and Middle Street parking garages.
There are new parking options in Norfolk for those driving to the games. This year, MacArthur South Garage will be free for game patrons. The garage is just two light rail stops, or a roughly 15-minute walk, from Harbor Park. Fans parking at the garage can catch The Tide at MacArthur Station for the free light rail ride to the stadium.
Dominion Tower Garage, a privately owned parking facility, also will offer game-day parking for $6. Those parking at Dominion Tower can either walk up the Elizabeth River Trail to the stadium or take The Tide at Civic Plaza for a short ride to Harbor Park.
When leaving the stadium, fans using light rail are urged to be patient and observe lines that will be set up outside the stadium, near the main entrance. One line will be for eastbound Tide light rail traffic in the direction of Newtown Road with the other for westbound travel toward EVMC/Fort Norfolk Station.
HRT reminds fans to be safe around tracks. Use designated crosswalks and sidewalks to reach the station and never stand on or near the tracks.