Spotted a Purple Parking Space? Here’s What It Means

Sometimes, the hardest part of driving is finding a good parking spot. Parking lots can be treacherous, especially around malls, government buildings, airports, and large retail stores. There’s the circling around the area, waiting for somebody to leave. Then there’s the race to claim the space before someone else does. And there’s the cowboy dual stare-down at the other driver trying to take the same spot. During this event, you may have noticed a purple-painted parking space, and it’s not for families or people with disabilities.

The Purple Parking Space Initiative

Purple parking spaces are designated for veterans who were injured in combat. Image Credit: Shutterstock

In the United States, purple parking spaces are reserved for military veterans who were awarded the Purple Heart medal for injuries during combat. Even if the vet qualifies for a standard handicap spot, there is an unfortunate and unfair stigma attached to it. In gratitude for their sacrifice, certain establishments set aside a purple space in their honor.

One version of the Purple Heart parking space initiative started in 2015 in Warren, Ohio. Thousands of veterans reside there, so the town celebrated them by creating their very first purple parking space outside of the municipal building. Although there have been spots designated for veterans, none have specified those with Purple Heart medals.

Nebraska-based Wounded Warriors Family Support group initiated a similar program in 2012. The nonprofit distributed free signs that reserve parking spots for “combat-wounded” veterans. This includes those who weren’t awarded a Purple Heart. The group has successfully distributed thousands of these signs.

This movement has slowly spread throughout the years. In 2019, The University of South Carolina launched the Purple Heart Parking Initiative with a dedicated parking space next to the World War Memorial building on campus. “The dedicated parking spot, along with the permits, is one small way we can honor and recognize combat wounded veterans in the UofSC community,” said Jared Evans, director of military engagement and veteran initiatives, to the university’s publication. “…It speaks to the enhanced commitment we’ve made to serving those who serve.”

“His old war wounds were just catching up to him.”

Kokomo - Circa August 2017: Reserved Combat Wounded Veteran/Purple Heart Parking at a Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse — *The Wounded Warriors Family Support organization gave out signs to reserve parking for veterans wounded in combat. Image Credit: Shutterstock*

Among more recent launches is the Purple Heart Parking Project by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4442 in West Virginia in 2022. Commander Gerald McMasters was grocery shopping at Walmart when he saw an elderly man walking across the parking lot. He had a Purple Heart license plate on his truck.“I asked him why he did not have a handicap permit,” said McMasters. “He told me he was not handicapped, that his old war wounds were just catching up to him. I felt sorry for the man and got to thinking. We have special parking for other special needs. Why not our wounded veterans, our Purple Heart recipients?” The organization successfully established over 50 purple spaces throughout the state. The first was at a Walmart.

Most recently, Virginia’s DMV joined the Purple Heart Parking Project by adding designated parking spaces at 16 of its customer centers.

The Penalty for Parking in a Purple Parking Space

*The university used purple paint and a sign to designate a new ADA van-compliant Purple Heart parking space near the the World War Memorial building on the Columbia campus.* *Image Credit: University of South Carolina.*

In July 2021, Florida lawmakers passed a bill, CS/HB 1029, that authorized “each state agency or political subdivision having jurisdiction over street parking or publicly owned or operated parking facilities to designate Purple Heart recipient parking spaces.” It explained that these spots are meant to honor veterans wounded in combat, but they are not“officially reserved or protected.” In other words, they rely on an honor system. For comparison, official accessible parking spaces require placards, and vehicles without one can be ticketed, fined, or towed. The same does not apply to most purple parking spaces, although that depends on the specific location.

In fact, the Berkeley Heights Township of New Jersey released an ordinance protecting parking spaces for “combat wounded/Purple Heart veterans.” Anyone who parks there without special vehicle identification stickers or proof of veteran status can be fined $253 for the first offense. For subsequent offenses, they may be issued a $253 fine plus community service.

“Reinforce pride instead of pity.”

Purple Heart Medal, U.S. Military Decoration on Black Background — *The Purple Heart medal is the oldest military decoration still used by the U.S. armed forces.*
*Image Credit: Shutterstock*

Veterans wounded in combat may be eligible for handicap parking spaces, but don’t like using them because they feel guilty or judged by those around them. Meanwhile, special purple spots can “empower a sense of pride,” said Purple Heart recipient Brian Thomas to Reader’s Digest. “I think many disabled veterans are more likely to use a Purple Heart or Veteran space than a handicapped space [since] it removes some of the stigma and reinforces pride instead of pity.”

Thomas explained that ex-military may feel isolated since people often don’t understand their physical and emotional struggles. “As a veteran, there’s a constant duality: the drive to move forward without asking for help, and the wish that others understood what your service, what serving with your brothers and sisters, meant, and the pride that comes from that service,” said Thomas. “If these spaces spark curiosity, awareness or even a small conversation about that, then they are serving their purpose.”