LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Parking is at a premium near Churchill Downs as horse racing fans close in on Kentucky Derby 150.

With all the parking at the track sold out along with the tickets, most people are just hoping to cut down on the walk to the track, and that means there is money to be made in nearby neighborhoods as yards turn into parking lots.

Like in past years, industrious homeowners make signs and stand along major thoroughfares to get the attention of drivers looking for a spot. For some, parking cars is part of the tradition surrounding the track.

Carl Roution was out on Wednesday putting his plan in motion. Roution said he has been parking cars for Derby week since 1971. Wednesday, on Champions Day at the track, he watched over a lot off 9th Street and Burton Avenue.

"The thing about it is, don't block nobody in. Leave it where he can get out any time he wants to get out," Roution said.

As cars get close to Churchill Downs and back in to makeshift parking spots, neighbors like Arturo Espinosa are cashing in.

"The week of the Derby is a business for everybody to try to make some extra money," said Espinsosa.

Many neighborhood spots for Champions Day went for $20 to $40. Michael J. Schad parked in the lot Roution was watching over.

"Yeah, the cost has went up like everything but it's great to get out and enjoy Derby Week. It's all about Louisville and all eyes on us," Schad said.

For Oaks and Derby, Roution said calls came in early and his spots sold out months ago.

DERBY WEEK PARKING NEAR CHURCHILL DOWNS 5-1-2024 (3).jpg

Holy Name Catholic Church on South Third Street in Louisville, Ky. put up signs to offer parking near Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby Week. The prices go up each day. (WDRB Image by Darby Beane) May 1, 2024

"I sit here and wait for them to come to me. They all know me. And they come to me. They pass them up and come to me," he said.

Others like Amy Esterman just recently started parking cars in her backyard off Heywood Avenue.

"This is my second year, and the first year was last year, and on Thurby I came home from being at the track and somebody had charged people $40 to park in my back yard," she said.

Not wanting a repeat this year, Esterman is parking cars there herself and charging half the price.

"People shouldn't have to pay this much to park. Especially on days like today when it's not an expensive day to go," she said Wednesday. 

She plans for the money she earns to go toward a small community library box for the kids to be able to check out different books.

She also said the money she makes will go toward her grandson's LEGO fund.

"I made it like my mission that if I'm home and not at the track, I'm going to get money for my spots and I'm going to use it for this community," she said.

Amy Esterman charged cars $20 Wednesday to park in her yard near Churchill Downs

Amy Esterman charged cars $20 Wednesday to park in her yard near Churchill Downs. She says she plans to use the money she makes to give back to the community. (WDRB Image)

Roution he's been helping people park near the track for more than 50 years, and he plans to stick with.

"As long as I'm able -- I'm getting up there -- but I'll do it as long as I'm able to get up and do it. Somebody asked me when I was going to quit. I said, 'when I can't do it," he said.

Some people WDRB talked to off camera said prices will go up Saturday. Some neighborhood spots could inch toward $100 they said, but it's not the only option for parking.

For detailed parking information day by day, click here. 

If you purchased parking at Churchill Downs with your ticket, you can park in an on-site lot where your pass is valid.

Another option is to park at the Kentucky Expo Center and catch a shuttle to the track. But on Oaks and Derby Day, you'll have to have to have a front-side ticket to get the free shuttle ride.

For people with infield tickets on Oaks and Derby, rideshare is an option with drop off at the L&N Federal Credit Union stadium's bronze lot. Parking is also available at the stadium for $40 per car.

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