Gameday parking platform to launch 

UF Florida Gators football helmet
Courtesy UF Athletics

A new gameday parking web app, Perch, is set to launch in mid-July, allowing residents and businesses to sell their parking spots to Gators fans at home football games, and more. 

The platform was created by Dustin Karp, a recent University of Florida graduate, and J.J. Paulsen, a current Santa Fe College student and hopeful future Gator. Both were frustrated by the chaos of parking for Gators games and other events and wanted to do something about it. 

“[UF] is an amazing place to be,” Paulsen said in an interview with Larry Wilson on 106.9 FM I Am Country. “You shouldn’t have to spend your time on our campus in your car, trying to find out where you can park.” 

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Paulsen and Karp soft-launched Perch last fall, using only residential parking spots. Paulsen said they parked about 300 cars that football season. Now preparing for a full-scale launch, they are expanding to include businesses in the area surrounding Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. 

Paulsen said many businesses already sell their parking spots for Gators games, but Perch will save them the effort of advertising the spots. 

With the introduction of brick-and-mortar businesses to the platform, Perch plans to offer season parking to fans who know they will be coming to every game. That way, those fans will have the same guaranteed spot for every home game. 

“Perch was made to really benefit the Gainesville community,” Paulsen said. He said the app will be available to use for not only football games, but any large event such as a graduation or concert. 

Fans can access the Perch platform at parkwithperch.com, where they can guarantee a parking spot after the launch. With three clicks, users can select and pay for a spot, with access to a map that displays their distance from the stadium. Prices vary based on the spot’s distance from the stadium. 

“That’s kind of the thought process behind Perch: how can we create a better experience for families that are coming to these games so they can enjoy the game more,” Paulsen said. 

Before the platform launches, people can visit the site and fill out an interest form to earn a coupon for the first spot they purchase. 

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Andrew simpson

Glory reitz? R u related? Forgive me not. Probably get the question often.