Facility Overview

The Clippership Drive Parking Lot is a premier municipal surface parking facility situated in the heart of Medford Square at 81 Riverside Avenue, Medford, MA. Positioned adjacent to Clippership Drive and the scenic banks of the Mystic River, this open-air parking lot offers an expansive, easily navigable layout catering to daily commuters, local shoppers, and event attendees. Because it is a level open-air surface lot, there are no vertical clearance restrictions or low-hanging overhead barriers, making it an exceptional choice not only for standard sedans and compact cars, but also for full-size pickup trucks, oversized SUVs, passenger vans, and commercial service vehicles requiring ample headroom and generous turn radiuses.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Serving as one of the central parking hubs for downtown Medford, the Clippership Drive Parking Lot places visitors within comfortable walking distance of prime cultural, civic, and entertainment destinations:

• Chevalier Theatre: Located approximately a 6-minute walk (0.3 miles) north on Forest Street, this historic 1,900-seat theater regularly hosts national comedy acts, touring rock bands, and theatrical performances, making this lot a favorite for theatergoers seeking convenient event parking.
• Medford City Hall: Situated immediately adjacent to the lot along George P. Hassett Drive, offering effortless access for civic engagements, municipal business, and community meetings.
• Medford Square Dining & Retail: Dozens of beloved independent restaurants, coffee shops, and taverns along High Street, Riverside Avenue, and Salem Street are within a 2- to 5-minute stroll.
• Mystic River Reservation & Riverwalk: Immediate access to the paved waterfront paths along Clippership Drive and the Mystic River, ideal for joggers, cyclists, and leisure strolls to the Condon Shell.
• Tufts University: Situated less than 1.5 miles to the southwest, reachable in under 7 minutes by vehicle or a direct connecting bus.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress to the facility are straightforward, with access points off both Riverside Avenue and Clippership Drive. Its close proximity to Interstate 93 (Exit 23) allows drivers traveling north or south through Greater Boston to exit and park without navigating congested residential side streets. The lot also provides seamless connections to Route 16 (Mystic Valley Parkway) and Route 60. For multimodal travelers, Medford Square functions as an MBTA bus transit terminal, with frequent connections via bus routes 95, 96, 101, and 134 providing direct links to the MBTA Orange Line (Wellington Station and Malden Center) as well as the Red Line (Davis Square).

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Spacious open-air surface parking layout with clear stall striping and wide drive aisles.
• No low overhead clearance limits, accommodating high-roof vans, roof-racked vehicles, and large trucks.
• Designated ADA-accessible parking spaces situated near primary pedestrian curb cuts and sidewalk connectors.
• Convenient modern digital pay stations on site accepting major credit cards and debit cards.
• Mobile app payment support via PayByPhone or ParkMobile for easy remote extensions without returning to your vehicle.
• Pedestrian lighting throughout the lot to ensure safety and visibility during evening visits and late-night theater dismissals.

Ideal For

• Patrons and ticket holders attending live comedy, concerts, and shows at the Chevalier Theatre.
• Visitors conducting municipal appointments or attending public hearings at Medford City Hall.
• Patrons dining out, meeting friends, or shopping at local boutiques in Medford Square.
• Commuters taking advantage of regional MBTA express and local feeder bus routes into Boston and Cambridge.
• Recreation enthusiasts exploring the Mystic River Reservation, trails, and nearby parklands.

Visitor & Driver Tips

When attending high-profile evening performances at the Chevalier Theatre, spaces can fill up rapidly within an hour of showtime; arriving 45 to 60 minutes early is strongly encouraged to secure a close stall and enjoy dinner in Medford Square beforehand. Note the zone number posted on lot signage to manage your parking session seamlessly through the mobile payment app, which allows you to extend time remotely if your meal or show runs longer than expected. Finally, check all posted municipal signage for street sweeping advisories or snow emergency regulations during winter weather events.