Okay, If you paid to park at Pizza Hut Park understand you just paid for parking on land that belongs to the City of Frisco. That property was given to the city by the Hunt family for period of 30 years of having the ability to offer soccer and concerts inside the stadium. If the parking lots belong to the taxpayers of Frisco who gets to keep the money from all that parking they collected. My daughter's game was at Carpenter Park in Plano and there was not anyone taking my money. Why? The City of Plano ownes that land.

I am happy we had no games this time up in Frisco.

This is infuriating to me and at $7.00 highway robbery. The masses (us) must rise up and tell the coaches no more. If coaches tell the tournament folks and vote with the teams then it will end. As long as we all go and pay PHP will keep on doing it. Come on consumers... vote !

I doubt this will ever change,in fact it might be more $$$ in the future to park. We parked on the side streets and walked,burned a few calories.

soccer4fun wrote:This is infuriating to me and at $7.00 highway robbery. The masses (us) must rise up and tell the coaches no more. If coaches tell the tournament folks and vote with the teams then it will end. As long as we all go and pay PHP will keep on doing it. Come on consumers... vote !

That won't work because coaches and parents want to play on better fields. PHP is a premier field and as such will always be in demand. Would you really not sign up for Plano Labor Day, North America Mem Day and State Cup to prove a point?

I get a kick out of no charge for FCD games (which are usually way overpriced) but they charge for kid's events. They often sell multi-day passes - they need to sell yearly passes for like $50 or so. Until MLS teams make money, I don't see this changing at all - so...it won't.

Do they charge for high school football games?

clueless wrote:

soccer4fun wrote:This is infuriating to me and at $7.00 highway robbery. The masses (us) must rise up and tell the coaches no more. If coaches tell the tournament folks and vote with the teams then it will end. As long as we all go and pay PHP will keep on doing it. Come on consumers... vote !

That won't work because coaches and parents want to play on better fields. PHP is a premier field and as such will always be in demand. Would you really not sign up for Plano Labor Day, North America Mem Day and State Cup to prove a point?

I get a kick out of no charge for FCD games (which are usually way overpriced) but they charge for kid's events. They often sell multi-day passes - they need to sell yearly passes for like $50 or so. Until MLS teams make money, I don't see this changing at all - so...it won't.

Do they charge for high school football games?

It depends where the High School football game is held. The venues for High School football playoff games often charge for parking.

clueless wrote:

soccer4fun wrote:This is infuriating to me and at $7.00 highway robbery. The masses (us) must rise up and tell the coaches no more. If coaches tell the tournament folks and vote with the teams then it will end. As long as we all go and pay PHP will keep on doing it. Come on consumers... vote !

That won't work because coaches and parents want to play on better fields. PHP is a premier field and as such will always be in demand. Would you really not sign up for Plano Labor Day, North America Mem Day and State Cup to prove a point?

I get a kick out of no charge for FCD games (which are usually way overpriced) but they charge for kid's events. They often sell multi-day passes - they need to sell yearly passes for like $50 or so. Until MLS teams make money, I don't see this changing at all - so...it won't.

Do they charge for high school football games?

I was there for the Cleburne/Frisco Centennial game Friday... didn't pay to park, but did pay for two adults, a 12yr old and a 5yr old $28 to get in. Then, turned around and had to feed them (nacho, popcorn, two 6pk of wings and 4 aqua) $38. Not to mention the long drive and the tolls. One HS Football game = appox $100. Nice...

But...if you guys are wondering, understand that soccer has the most expensive tourneys out there too... Any USSSA Select Baseball is in the $375 range.

Guess everything is about revenue, no???

nuchad wrote:

clueless wrote:

soccer4fun wrote:This is infuriating to me and at $7.00 highway robbery. The masses (us) must rise up and tell the coaches no more. If coaches tell the tournament folks and vote with the teams then it will end. As long as we all go and pay PHP will keep on doing it. Come on consumers... vote !

That won't work because coaches and parents want to play on better fields. PHP is a premier field and as such will always be in demand. Would you really not sign up for Plano Labor Day, North America Mem Day and State Cup to prove a point?

I get a kick out of no charge for FCD games (which are usually way overpriced) but they charge for kid's events. They often sell multi-day passes - they need to sell yearly passes for like $50 or so. Until MLS teams make money, I don't see this changing at all - so...it won't.

Do they charge for high school football games?

I was there for the Cleburne/Frisco Centennial game Friday... didn't pay to park, but did pay for two adults, a 12yr old and a 5yr old $28 to get in. Then, turned around and had to feed them (nacho, popcorn, two 6pk of wings and 4 aqua) $38. Not to mention the long drive and the tolls. One HS Football game = appox $100. Nice...

But...if you guys are wondering, understand that soccer has the most expensive tourneys out there too... Any USSSA Select Baseball is in the $375 range.

Guess everything is about revenue, no???

You hit the nail on the head. It's all about revenue and North Texas soccer is no different.

Even though I complained on Saturday about the $7 fee, it doesn't bother me that much. We don't have to play there. The Tournament Host could select cheaper fields. However, PHP is nice and it does showcase North Texas quite nicely. My son's team played in a tournament once that had Prarie Dog holes all over the field. I thought about not letting my son play. Whenever, I hear about that city those dang holes are the first thing that comes to mind.

As stupid as this sounds, I would prefer the host working out a deal with PHP and then building that into our registration fee. That way,we aren't seeing folks standing at the entrance taking our $7 just to park a car in a lot that has no other demand on that day.

I am much more bothered by schools charging parents to watch their kids games. Again, I would prefer schools tighten their budget or raise their taxes by 1/2 cent or whatever drop in the bucket it would take to replace their ticket revenues. I KNOW FOR A FACT that there are players that play without their parents watching them because of the ticket cost.

I still haven't seen an answer as to what/who the money goes to. Were there improvements to the parking lot that required an additional $2 over last year??

Middie 07 wrote:I still haven't seen an answer as to what/who the money goes to. Were there improvements to the parking lot that required an additional $2 over last year??

It's my understanding it's the Hunt group or whomever 'dreadfully' owns FCD that determines when to charge for parking. I'm guessing the choices would be charge for parking, ...or find a way to fill the stadium every game ...or charge $100 per ticket for FCD games. If Hicks can't keep the Rangers afloat with their attendance, what chances does FCD have?

FYI - keeping the fields that nice does cost some money. I'd heard they are going to limit their use for our leagues and remove themselves from Dallas Cup - that's a big bummer. Don't know where there's a full grass stadium anywhere around for super group action.

The fields at Richland are much better - they hold the grass and your footing. As for a stadium game, I can't see PHP passing on a supergroup game inside the big stadium. Don't some of our league payments go towards field maintenance?

clueless wrote:

FYI - keeping the fields that nice does cost some money. I'd heard they are going to limit their use for our leagues and remove themselves from Dallas Cup - that's a big bummer. Don't know where there's a full grass stadium anywhere around for super group action.

Can't see them passing on Dallas Cup. It brings in plenty for the 2 weekends as any FCD game in terms of attendance. No beer sales must hurt...

If not PHP then back to Lake Highlands HS I say. I always enjoyed watching DC there.

Oh and on paying for parking. If you like playing at Carpenter then you get by without paying for parking, but PHP while maybe on city land is privately run and to Clues point there has to be $$ made somewhere to keep those field in good shape. They tried overusing them not long ago and learned a costly lesson.

Surely the PLD is paying PHP to use the fields. And surely, SURELY it ain't cheap.

I don't have any objection to paying PHP for the use of its fields, but this $7 fee per car is ridiculous and chintzy, any way you slice it. It's a fee that someone conjured up in a boardroom somewhere whose sole purpose is to force more money from a captive audience of people who don't know about the fee until they are confronted with it, and then have no choice but to pay it. And it's irritating as all hell.

I find it very serendipitous that nearly bracket in every age group had at least one game at PHP. To maximize the revenue collected.

If PHP needs money for fields and wants to use the PLD and other local tourneys as an avenue to collect the money, fine. Calculate the amount you want to collect per team, tack it onto the entry fee and the tournament can pass it directly on to PHP. Don't nickel and dime people. And don't make those poor parking lot attendants have to deal with everyone's wrath at being asked to pony up still more money.

Middie 07 wrote:The fields at Richland are much better - they hold the grass and your footing.

this is just dumb. the fields at Richland college are not better than PHP.

i think FCD did learn that lesson about over-using the fields and thats what caused the pay-to-park philosophy. i heard it was about a $1 million lesson too. i hope they begin building it into the registration fee of the tournament, but then will we complain about a $595 fee going up to $695 in a year for the same tournament. methinks so. i'd rather pay a few dollars to play on premium fields than play on dirt, gravel, gopher holes, and glass. but thats just me....

Guessing that was some of the FCD parents out in the lots collecting money.

Wondering...did any of that money go back into your kids account for working?

From all the cars I saw turning around and parking across the street. Wonder how much revenue was lost from parents that would have paid if parking fee had of been 3 or 4 dollars.

twotone wrote:

Middie 07 wrote:The fields at Richland are much better - they hold the grass and your footing.

this is just dumb. the fields at Richland college are not better than PHP.

i think FCD did learn that lesson about over-using the fields and thats what caused the pay-to-park philosophy. i heard it was about a $1 million lesson too. i hope they begin building it into the registration fee of the tournament, but then will we complain about a $595 fee going up to $695 in a year for the same tournament. methinks so. i'd rather pay a few dollars to play on premium fields than play on dirt, gravel, gopher holes, and glass. but thats just me....

We played a game at PHP, High Point, Carpenter and Russell Creek. I would have to say RC was the best condtion of any and FREE parking. It just drives me insane to pay to park at a youth soccer event...

Well, over the years, the idea of paying for parking for youth soccer, particularly at PHP, has come up again and again.
Some suggestions have been made:
-pay with pennies.
-play in another league, particularly for Division 3, which used to be Arlington and Plano premier teams anyway
-park accross the street
-include parking in the tournament fees (which makes no sense to me, as you pay it one way or another)
-include parking ina concession pass which includes parking, food and drinks of some amount
-my favorite: you are already paying thousands, why whine about $7?
The only one of the above was from me, when I invited teams to play in Arlington, where the parking is free, the concessions are reasonabley priced, and the refereess are courteous and good looking, mostly.
I hope the rain stops in time for this coming weekend to be dry.
Refmike

Does this $7 parking fee apply during Classic League regular season games or do they only charge during the Labor Day Tournament?

twotone wrote:

Middie 07 wrote:The fields at Richland are much better - they hold the grass and your footing.

this is just dumb. the fields at Richland college are not better than PHP.

i think FCD did learn that lesson about over-using the fields and thats what caused the pay-to-park philosophy. i heard it was about a $1 million lesson too. i hope they begin building it into the registration fee of the tournament, but then will we complain about a $595 fee going up to $695 in a year for the same tournament. methinks so. i'd rather pay a few dollars to play on premium fields than play on dirt, gravel, gopher holes, and glass. but thats just me....

Wow!! At age 32 what team do you play for??? hehe!

klangston wrote:Does this $7 parking fee apply during Classic League regular season games or do they only charge during the Labor Day Tournament?

No charge for CL games

Much rather go to Richland than PHP anyway. BTW PHP would be insane not to have Dallas Cup. Too much international exposure!

Refmike wrote:
-include parking in the tournament fees (which makes no sense to me, as you pay it one way or another)

Yea, I'll pay it, but don't make my guests pay it. In other words - it seems extraordinarly chintzy to make my parents pay 7 bucks to see their grandson play soccer, on the few occasions when they are able to get out to the fields. You also have the challenge of people who may not have 7 dollars in cash. I knew to bring cash, having been put through that wringer before. Other people like the out-of-towners might not know this, and then what do you do? Go somewhere to find cash - increasing the irritation still more. And maybe making them late for the game, etc, etc.

twotone wrote:

Middie 07 wrote:The fields at Richland are much better - they hold the grass and your footing.

this is just dumb. the fields at Richland college are not better than PHP.

i think FCD did learn that lesson about over-using the fields and thats what caused the pay-to-park philosophy. i heard it was about a $1 million lesson too. i hope they begin building it into the registration fee of the tournament, but then will we complain about a $595 fee going up to $695 in a year for the same tournament. methinks so. i'd rather pay a few dollars to play on premium fields than play on dirt, gravel, gopher holes, and glass. but thats just me....

Watch a game at PHP after a heavy dew - the turf is easily loosened and comes up. After a game the field is littered w/ chunks. That is why they'll close those fields on some Saturdays following a Thursday rain. The base of both fields (sand/dirt mix & levelness) are about the same. The difference is that the grass at Richland has roots that go about a foot deep. If it's not pouring down & puddling , they'll play. All that will be on the surface is some torn grass tops. Why do you think the U-15's on up play at Richland? They'd tear PHP to pieces if they played every week there.

Actually...all ages play at PHP, including U19. D1 and most of D2 play at RC at the coaches committee's request. D3 plays primarily at PHP. It doesn't have anything to do with age group.
The turf at PHP is actually superior to that of RC; however, most coaches don't want to drive to Frisco.

happyfeet wrote:Actually...all ages play at PHP, including U19. D1 and most of D2 play at RC at the coaches committee's request. D3 plays primarily at PHP. It doesn't have anything to do with age group.
The turf at PHP is actually superior to that of RC; however, most coaches don't want to drive to Frisco.

What odds do you lay on ANYONE driving to PHP on Saturday to play. I know I'll be at Richland watching games. You see, PHP is allergic to rain, even if it was 3 days prior.

Middie 07 wrote:

happyfeet wrote:Actually...all ages play at PHP, including U19. D1 and most of D2 play at RC at the coaches committee's request. D3 plays primarily at PHP. It doesn't have anything to do with age group.
The turf at PHP is actually superior to that of RC; however, most coaches don't want to drive to Frisco.

What odds do you lay on ANYONE driving to PHP on Saturday to play. I know I'll be at Richland watching games. You see, PHP is allergic to rain, even if it was 3 days prior.

[b]

How can a private business make money using the public's property? That's the real question.

Wesson wrote:

Middie 07 wrote:

happyfeet wrote:Actually...all ages play at PHP, including U19. D1 and most of D2 play at RC at the coaches committee's request. D3 plays primarily at PHP. It doesn't have anything to do with age group.
The turf at PHP is actually superior to that of RC; however, most coaches don't want to drive to Frisco.

What odds do you lay on ANYONE driving to PHP on Saturday to play. I know I'll be at Richland watching games. You see, PHP is allergic to rain, even if it was 3 days prior.

[b]

How can a private business make money using the public's property? That's the real question.

Ugh this is nothing extraordinary for FC Dallas and Frisco it happens in every city with sports team and many other businesses.

Wesson wrote:

Middie 07 wrote:

happyfeet wrote:Actually...all ages play at PHP, including U19. D1 and most of D2 play at RC at the coaches committee's request. D3 plays primarily at PHP. It doesn't have anything to do with age group.
The turf at PHP is actually superior to that of RC; however, most coaches don't want to drive to Frisco.

What odds do you lay on ANYONE driving to PHP on Saturday to play. I know I'll be at Richland watching games. You see, PHP is allergic to rain, even if it was 3 days prior.

[b]

How can a private business make money using the public's property? That's the real question.

You mean like a circus or concert held at a civic auditorium?

hope you dont go to Arlington anytime soon if you're complaing about $7.....

OK we all know there are plenty of parents, grand parents and friends flush with cash at these tournaments so why not charge for the best up front parking if they want to pay. Then leave the very large parking area on the tollway side free and the lot on the east side free also these lots were blocked off and used by no one. I feel sorry for the traveling teams with RV'S and trailers they had no place to chill or tailgate. Just a thought.