When you’re investing in a new parking lot in Hershey, you want it to last—not just for a few seasons, but for decades. Between the freeze-thaw cycles of Central Pennsylvania winters and the steady foot and vehicle traffic near places like Hersheypark and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, your parking lot faces more daily wear than you might think.
The key to making that investment pay off over time? Building in features from the start that boost durability, safety, and ease of maintenance.
Here are 11 features we recommend incorporating during the planning and construction phase that add long-term value to any new parking lot.
Key Takeaways
- A long-lasting parking lot in Hershey needs strong materials, smart design, and protection from weather and heavy use.
- Local conditions like freeze-thaw cycles, rain, and clay soils require features that prevent cracking, flooding, and erosion.
- Safety, accessibility, and low maintenance are improved by lighting, striping, ADA access, snow planning, and native landscaping.
- ProSeal Asphalt Maintenance Inc. builds parking lots in Hershey that last longer and work better for your property.
1. Full-Depth Asphalt Installation
Full-depth asphalt involves using a thicker asphalt layer from the surface down through the base, which provides significantly more structural integrity than surface-level paving alone.
In Hershey, where heavy snowfall and plow usage are common in winter, this kind of installation helps prevent premature cracking and potholes. It’s especially valuable near commercial hotspots like the Giant Center or Hershey’s Chocolate World, where traffic volume is consistently high.
2. Proper Drainage Design with Local Rainfall Patterns in Mind
Parking lots around Hershey see a fair share of rainfall throughout the year, and poor drainage can lead to ponding, base layer erosion, and freeze-thaw damage.
Incorporating strategically placed catch basins, slope grading, and French drains that are designed based on local rainfall data and soil composition—like the clay-heavy soils common in Derry Township—will protect your lot and reduce long-term maintenance costs.
3. Reinforced Concrete Aprons at Entry and Exit Points
The entrances and exits of a lot—especially those connecting to roads like Fishburn Road or Cocoa Avenue—take the brunt of the stress from braking, accelerating, and turning.
Installing reinforced concrete aprons in these areas adds significant strength where it’s needed most, minimizing early wear and avoiding edge crumbling that often leads to larger structural issues.
4. High-Visibility Thermoplastic Striping
Striping isn’t just about looks. In a town like Hershey, where tourists flood in during the summer and holiday seasons, clear, durable markings are essential for safety and traffic flow. Thermoplastic striping lasts much longer than traditional paint and stays visible even through winter plowing and summer UV exposure.
It’s particularly helpful in lots near schools like Hershey High or public venues like ZooAmerica, where both drivers and pedestrians need clear guidance.
5. Integrated LED Lot Lighting
Proper lighting improves safety, discourages vandalism, and boosts usability after dark. Installing energy-efficient, motion-sensor LED lights as part of your initial design—especially in commercial or mixed-use areas like the Hershey Towne Square—can also reduce your utility costs long-term.
In addition, it keeps your lot compliant with local lighting ordinances while making the space feel more secure.
6. Use of Geotextile Fabric Beneath the Base Layer
One of the smartest ways to prevent long-term deterioration is to separate the soil from the aggregate base using geotextile fabric.
In many areas around Hershey, particularly near Spring Creek or in low-lying flood-prone zones, this layer adds stability and prevents water intrusion from weakening the subgrade over time.
7. ADA-Compliant Accessibility Features
Installing ADA-compliant ramps, parking spots, and pathways from the start avoids expensive retrofits later. And it’s required by federal law. But beyond compliance, this feature improves accessibility for all users.
Hershey’s family-oriented destinations, like the Hershey Story Museum or the Medical Center campus, see a high number of visitors with mobility needs, making accessibility a priority from both a legal and community perspective.
8. Curbed Islands with Native Landscaping
Adding curbed islands throughout the lot can help with traffic control, water runoff, and aesthetics. When you use native Pennsylvania plants, like black-eyed Susans or Eastern redbuds, maintenance becomes easier and less expensive.
These features work well in lots surrounding professional complexes along Governor Road, providing an upscale look without creating a maintenance headache.
9. Sealcoating Built into a Maintenance Plan
Sealcoating helps protect asphalt from oxidation, UV rays, and chemical spills. Building this into the long-term planning of your parking lot ensures the surface stays flexible and resistant to cracking.
In Hershey’s climate, sealcoating every two to three years can extend the life of your lot by a decade or more. It’s a feature we always recommend during the planning stage—not just after the fact.
10. Snow Removal Considerations Built Into the Design
Every Hershey business owner knows that snow is part of life for at least a quarter of the year.
Designing your parking lot with dedicated snow storage zones and plow-friendly curbing can prevent winter damage and make clearing easier.
These zones are especially useful for lots near high-traffic areas like Hotel Road or the Hershey Lodge, where snow needs to be moved quickly without blocking access or damaging pavement edges.
11. Reinforced Perimeter Edging
The edges of a lot are often the first areas to deteriorate, especially when adjacent to grass, mulch beds, or pedestrian walkways. Installing concrete or heavily compacted asphalt edging reinforces these vulnerable zones.
In places like Hershey, where landscaping often meets hardscaping—think corporate campuses or the Penn State College of Medicine—this added support protects your lot from creeping cracks and water infiltration along the borders.
Build a Parking Lot That Lasts in Hershey
At ProSeal Asphalt Maintenance Inc., we build parking lots that are designed for Hershey’s unique climate and usage patterns—from tourism traffic near Chocolate Avenue to commercial centers along Route 322. We take the time to understand your property’s needs, recommend the right features from the start, and offer ongoing maintenance to protect your investment.
Ready to get started? Let’s talk about your project today. We’ll help you design and build a parking lot that stands the test of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon can I use my new parking lot after construction is finished?
New asphalt parking lots are typically ready for light traffic within 24 to 48 hours, but we recommend waiting at least 72 hours for full curing before allowing heavy vehicles or equipment.
Can you help with permits and zoning for commercial parking lot projects in Hershey?
Yes, we handle permit coordination and make sure your project meets local zoning rules and stormwater regulations required by Derry Township and other Hershey-area authorities before construction begins.
Do you offer maintenance contracts for newly constructed parking lots?
We offer custom maintenance plans that include routine inspections, crack sealing, line re-striping, and sealcoating to keep your Hershey parking lot looking clean, compliant, and structurally sound year after year.
What’s the best time of year to build a new parking lot in Hershey?
The best season for new lot construction is late spring through early fall, when temperatures are warm and rain is minimal, allowing proper curing, compaction, and long-term surface durability.
