Facility Overview

St Anselm\'s Abbey School Lower Parking is a dedicated open-air surface parking facility situated on the expansive, tranquil campus grounds of St. Anselm\'s Abbey and School in Northeast Washington, D.C. (Brookland / Fort Totten neighborhood). Located directly adjacent to the school\'s athletic fields and lower academic complex, this surface lot provides straightforward, ground-level vehicle access. Because it is completely open without overhead structures or low-clearance garage ceilings, the lot effortlessly accommodates a diverse range of vehicle types, from standard compact cars and family sedans to full-size SUVs, oversized pickup trucks, and high-roof passenger vans frequently used for team transit.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated in the historic and collegiate neighborhood of Brookland—often referred to as \'Little Rome\'—the lower lot serves as an essential parking base for campus visitors and neighborhood community events. Notable nearby landmarks and cultural venues include:

• St. Anselm\'s Abbey & Monastery: Located directly on campus, offering serene woodland walking grounds and monastic services.
• Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America: A historic architectural and horticultural destination located just 1.5 miles south (approx. 5 minutes by car).
• The Catholic University of America (CUA): Situated approximately 1.8 miles west, easily reached in under 7 minutes.
• Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: One of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the world, located just 2 miles to the southwest.
• Turkey Thicket Recreation Center: Featuring aquatic facilities, indoor gymnasiums, and outdoor tracks, located 1.2 miles away.
• Monroe Street Market & Arts Walk: The lively Brookland cultural corridor offering local restaurants, craft breweries, and artist studios, located 1.7 miles away.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress to the lower parking area are achieved via the campus roadway network connected to South Dakota Avenue NE and 14th Street NE. The campus driveways are clearly marked, guiding visitors smoothly past the upper school buildings down toward the athletic field parking apron. Drivers benefit from swift connectivity to major regional arterial roads, including Michigan Avenue NE, Rhode Island Avenue (US-1), and New York Avenue (US-50), offering direct routes into downtown D.C. or outward to the Capital Beltway (I-495).

For those connecting to public transit, the Fort Totten Metro Station (serviced by both the Red and Green Lines) is approximately 1.3 miles north, while the Brookland-CUA Metro Station (Red Line) lies 1.7 miles to the southwest. Metrobus routes along South Dakota Avenue NE offer convenient local transfers throughout the District.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Headroom: Ground-level surface parking without vertical height restrictions, ideal for roof-racks and tall vehicles.
• Direct Field Access: Seamless, step-free access to St. Anselm\'s athletic fields, gym facilities, and lower campus entrances.
• Designated Parking Bays: Clearly marked standard parking stalls and designated accessible (ADA) bays close to pedestrian walkways.
• Illuminated Campus Grounds: Equipped with perimeter pole lighting for enhanced visibility and safety during evening games, practices, and school functions.
• Quiet, Safe Setting: Positioned within a controlled, private school and monastic enclave away from heavy municipal street congestion.

Ideal For

• School Families & Visitors: Parents, guardians, and guests attending parent-teacher meetings, school open houses, and graduation ceremonies.
• Athletics & Sports Spectators: Visiting teams, parents, and fans attending middle and high school soccer, baseball, cross-country, and track meets.
• Abbey & Monastery Guests: Attendees visiting the Abbey church for mass, prayer services, or community retreats.
• Campus Event Attendees: Visitors attending lectures, school plays, and cultural programs hosted at the school grounds.

Visitor & Driver Tips

The lot operates primarily for the school and abbey community; visitors should verify school visitor policies and display temporary parking placards if instructed during regular academic hours. During major interscholastic sports matchups and campus celebrations, parking can fill up rapidly—arriving 15 to 20 minutes prior to kickoff or tip-off is strongly recommended. When navigating the campus access road, observe the strictly enforced 10–15 mph speed limit to ensure the safety of student pedestrians and student-athletes.