Facility Overview
The Price-Fern Lot (officially designated as Montgomery County Public Parking Lot 14) is a conveniently located municipal surface parking facility situated at 2320 Price Avenue in the vibrant heart of Wheaton, Maryland. Positioned at the intersection of Price Avenue and Fern Street, this open-air parking lot serves as an essential hub for commuters, local shoppers, and diners exploring the Wheaton Urban District. Designed with an efficient perimeter and central bay layout, the lot provides clear sightlines, wide parking stalls, and uncomplicated navigation. Because it is an open-air lot with no overhead structures or low-clearance ceilings, the facility comfortably accommodates standard sedans, compact cars, full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, and high-roof commercial vans without vertical clearance concerns.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
The Price-Fern Lot places drivers steps away from downtown Wheaton’s celebrated international dining scene and major retail amenities. Within a 3- to 5-minute walk (under 0.2 miles), visitors can reach local culinary staples along University Boulevard West and Georgia Avenue, including iconic Salvadoran, Thai, and Vietnamese restaurants. The Westfield Wheaton regional shopping mall is approximately a 7-minute walk (0.3 miles) to the west, offering access to anchor department stores, retail shops, and dining destinations. The Marian Fryer Town Plaza and the Montgomery County Government Wheaton headquarters are also just two blocks away, making this lot an ideal choice for visitors attending local civic functions, public gatherings, and weekend community events.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Ingress and egress are straightforward via Price Avenue and Fern Street, both of which offer direct, low-congestion access compared to the primary thoroughfares of Georgia Avenue (MD-97) and University Boulevard (MD-193). The lot is located just 0.3 miles east of the Wheaton Metro Station on the WMATA Red Line, giving drivers an affordable and reliable park-and-ride option into downtown Silver Spring, Bethesda, and Washington, D.C. Major arterial roadways, including Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway) to the south and Veirs Mill Road (MD-586) to the northwest, ensure fast and accessible regional highway connections.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Open-air surface parking with unrestricted vertical clearance suitable for tall vehicles
- Designated accessible ADA parking spaces close to sidewalk pedestrian access points
- Mobile payment integration powered by the ParkMobile app for quick meter payment and remote extensions
- On-site pay-by-plate multi-space pay stations accepting major credit cards and coins
- Overhead municipal street lighting providing steady visibility throughout evening and night hours
- Well-maintained asphalt paving with clear directional lane markings and signage
Ideal For
- Daily commuters seeking an accessible parking option near the Wheaton Metro Station
- Food lovers and dinner patrons visiting Wheaton’s diverse culinary corridor
- Shoppers visiting neighborhood retail shops and the nearby Westfield Wheaton complex
- Visitors conducting administrative business at local municipal and county offices
- Local service professionals and contract workers driving taller utility vans and work trucks
Visitor & Driver Tips
Drivers should check the posted signage for active Montgomery County meter enforcement hours, which are typically in effect Monday through Saturday between 9:00 AM and 10:00 PM, while Sundays and official county holidays are generally free. To save time upon arrival, download the ParkMobile app beforehand and enter the zone number posted on the on-site signage. During peak evening dinner hours and weekend afternoons, spaces can fill up rapidly; arriving slightly ahead of peak meal periods ensures an easy spot near the pedestrian exit on Price Avenue.
