Heading to the 60 & Counting Salsa Concert? Here’s the Real Deal on Parking
So, you’ve got your tickets for the 60 & Counting Salsa Concert. AMAZING. You’re all set for a legendary night at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, celebrating the icon Bobby Allende with a lineup that is honestly just staggering. Ruben Blades? Gilberto Santa Rosa? It’s going to be electric. You’re probably already thinking about the music, the energy, the dancing… but there’s that one little question that always pops up when you’re heading to a big event in the Bronx: “Where on earth am I going to park?”
Let’s be real, figuring out parking can be the most stressful part of a great night out. Nobody wants to be that person, circling the block for 45 minutes while the opening act is already on stage, getting more & more frustrated. You don't want to end your night with a hefty parking ticket on your windshield, either.
Well, you can relax. I've done the digging for you. As someone who’s navigated the wonderful, chaotic world of New York City parking more times than I can count, I’m here to give you the complete insider’s guide. We’re going to break down every single option, from the official lots to the secret weapons that’ll make you look like a parking genius.
The "Official" Option: On-Site Parking at Lehman College
First things first, let's talk about the most obvious choice: parking right at the venue. The Lehman Center for the Performing Arts is located on the beautiful, leafy campus of Lehman College. And yes, they do have parking.
The primary visitor lot is located right at the intersection of Goulden Avenue & Bedford Park Boulevard West. Now, here’s the key piece of information: Lehman College mentions a $10 fee for visitor parking. For a major concert, that's a pretty reasonable price, especially for the convenience of being just steps away from the entrance.
But here’s the inside scoop you NEED to know: This isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. While some sources point to this $10 visitor lot, other official college documents are pretty clear that on-campus parking is PRIMARILY for students & faculty who have purchased semester or annual permits. They have decals & special ID cards to get into the lots.
So, what does this mean for you, a salsa-loving concert-goer on a Friday night?
It means you’re facing a bit of a gamble. The concert is on Friday, August 8th, 2025, which isn't a weekend, so any "free weekend parking" rules you might see online don't apply. There's a good chance the college opens up the visitor lot for major events at the Lehman Center for that $10 fee. However, you could also run into a situation where the lots are reserved for evening students or are simply full. One Reddit user mentioned that even the student lots can get pretty packed for evening classes.
My advice? If you want to try for the on-site lot, you MUST arrive early. I’m talking well before the 8:00 PM showtime. This gives you the best shot at snagging a spot if they are indeed available to the public. But, and this is crucial, you need to have a backup plan ready to go. Don't put all your eggs in the on-site basket.
The Smart & Sure Bet: Pre-Booking a Garage Spot
If the idea of a parking "gamble" makes your stomach churn, then this is the section for you. Honestly, in this day & age, pre-booking your parking is the single best way to eliminate stress. You know your spot is waiting for you, you know exactly how much it costs, & you know how far you’ll have to walk. Peace of mind is priceless.
Luckily, there are several parking garages & lots in the vicinity of the Lehman Center, & you can book a spot in advance using services like SpotHero. This is my go-to recommendation for any big event.
Here are a few of the top options to look into. I’ve included their addresses so you can plug them into your GPS, & an idea of what to expect for event pricing. Keep in mind prices can change, so booking early is always a good idea.
- New Ogden Parking Inc. - 2833 Heath Ave. Lot: This lot is about a half-mile away, which is a totally manageable walk of about 10-15 minutes. It’s a great way to stretch your legs before the show.
- 2990 Jerome Ave. Garage: This is another solid choice, located just a few blocks from the venue. It's listed on multiple parking apps & is a popular choice for events at the Lehman Center.
- MPG Parking - 2519 Creston Ave. Garage: A little further out, but still well within walking distance. Sometimes going a few extra blocks can save you some money & help you avoid the worst of the post-concert traffic jam.
Booking through an app is super simple. You just put in the venue (Lehman Center for the Performing Arts) & the date & time of the concert. It’ll show you a map of available garages with their prices. You pick the one that works best for you, pay with your card, & they email you a parking pass with a QR code. When you get to the garage, you just scan the code, & you’re in. It feels like a VIP experience, & it’s available to everyone.
This is the "set it & forget it" option. You book it days or even weeks in advance & then the only thing you have to think about on the day of the concert is what shoes are best for dancing.
Rolling the Dice: The Truth About Street Parking in the Bronx
Ah, street parking. The siren song of every New York driver. The dream of finding that perfect, free spot right in front of the venue. Let me tell you, it’s a beautiful dream, but for a major Friday night concert, it’s a long shot. A VERY long shot.
That’s not to say it’s impossible, but you need to go into it with your eyes wide open. Here’s the reality of street parking in the Bedford Park neighborhood around the Lehman Center.
First, you’re competing with EVERYONE. You’re not just competing with other concert-goers; you’re competing with residents who live there, people visiting those residents, & anyone else who happens to be in the area. On a Friday evening, demand is at its peak.
Second, the rules are COMPLEX. New York City's parking regulations are a language unto themselves. You’ll see signs for "No Standing Anytime," "No Parking 7 AM-7 PM," metered parking, alternate side parking (which luckily shouldn’t be an issue on a Friday night, but always check!), & a dozen other variations. You have to read EVERY sign on the block, because as the NYC DOT warns, if there are multiple signs, the most restrictive one is the one that’s enforced. Missing one sign could mean the difference between a free spot & a $150 ticket plus a tow.
SpotAngels, a helpful parking app, shows that there are some metered spots on streets like Bedford Park Blvd West, costing around $2.50 for two hours. The concert will definitely be longer than two hours, so you’d have to constantly be running out to feed the meter, which is no way to enjoy a show. There might be some free, non-metered spots further away in residential areas, but these are the first to go.
My honest advice? Unless you plan on getting there hours—and I mean HOURS—early to patiently hunt for a spot & you have a PhD in deciphering parking signs, I’d steer clear. The stress & risk just aren’t worth it.
The Insider's Secret: Using Prked to Score the Perfect Spot
Okay, so you’re not thrilled about the uncertainty of the on-campus lot, & maybe the big commercial garages feel a little impersonal. You want a guaranteed spot, but you want something a little more… clever.
This is where you pull out the secret weapon: Prked.
Here’s the thing: the area around the Lehman Center is full of residential homes. What do those homes have? Driveways & private garages. What are many of those homeowners not using on a Friday night? You guessed it—their parking spots.
Prked is a pretty cool platform that connects people like you, who need a place to park, with local homeowners who are happy to rent out their empty driveways or garages for a few hours. It's a total win-win. The homeowner makes a little extra cash, & you get a safe, reserved, & often much more convenient parking spot than you’d find anywhere else.
Think about it. Instead of driving into a huge, anonymous concrete garage, you could have a reserved spot waiting for you in a private driveway just a few blocks from the concert. You pull up, park, & stroll to the venue, a feeling like you have a friend in the neighborhood.
Using Prked is super easy. You just check the app for available spots near the Lehman Center for the date & time of the concert. You can see pictures of the spot, read reviews from other drivers, & book it right from your phone. No circling, no worrying about tickets, no dealing with crowded garages. It’s the modern solution to the age-old parking headache. For a big event like this, having that guaranteed, private spot can completely change the start of your evening from frantic to fantastic.
The Stress-Free Alternative: Public Transportation
Of course, there’s one surefire way to avoid parking altogether: don’t drive! The Lehman Center is very accessible via public transportation, which can often be the fastest & cheapest way to get there.
- By Subway: You can take the 4 train (Lexington Avenue Line) or the D train to the Bedford Park Boulevard station. From the 4 train stop, it’s just a short walk west to the campus. From the D train, it’s about a three-block walk. Super easy.
- By Bus: Numerous city buses stop right near the Lehman College Campus, including the Bx1, 2, 9, 10, 22, 28, & many more. If you’re coming from Manhattan, the BxM-4A or BxM-4B express buses will also get you there.
Taking the train or bus means you can relax, listen to some salsa on your headphones to get in the mood, & not worry one bit about traffic or parking. And after the show, you can just hop back on & head home.
Tying It All Together
So there you have it—the complete parking playbook for the 60 & Counting Salsa Concert. You’ve got options, & now you know the pros & cons of each one.
- Option 1 (The Gamble): Arrive super early & try for the $10 on-site lot at Lehman College, but have a backup plan.
- Option 2 (The Sure Thing): Pre-book a spot in a nearby garage using a service like SpotHero. This is your best bet for a stress-free experience.
- Option 3 (The Long Shot): Hunt for street parking, but be prepared for a challenge & be VERY careful with the signs.
- Option 4 (The Smart Hack): Use Prked to book a private driveway for ultimate convenience.
- Option 5 (The No-Car-Needed): Take the subway or bus & forget about parking entirely.
Hope this was helpful! The goal is to make sure your only focus is on the incredible music & the once-in-a-lifetime performances you’re about to see. Pick the option that best fits your style, plan ahead, & get ready to have an absolutely unforgettable night.
Let me know what you think, & enjoy the show
