Facility Overview
Summer Street Parking (also known locally as the 49 Summer St. Lot) is a licensed, well-organized open-air surface parking facility situated in the quiet suburban setting of South Walpole, Massachusetts. Conveniently positioned just north of the Foxborough town line, this property operates primarily as a strategic, independent event parking destination. Because the facility is entirely outdoor and flat-graded, it offers unobstructed overhead clearance with no low garage beams or ceiling limits. This makes it exceptionally suited for standard passenger sedans, crossover utility vehicles, large full-size pickup trucks, and family SUVs. Drivers of vehicles equipped with roof racks, cargo pods, or elevated suspensions can park easily without clearance concerns, though oversized commercial vehicles, campers, and RVs should confirm specific event policies in advance.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
The primary draw for Summer Street Parking is its proximity to New England’s premier sports and entertainment hub, Gillette Stadium, situated roughly 1.1 miles south. Eventgoers can expect a scenic, pedestrian-friendly walk of approximately 20 to 25 minutes straight down Summer Street and Route 1 directly into the stadium gates. Gillette Stadium serves as the home venue for the NFL’s six-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots and Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution, in addition to hosting world-class stadium concert tours, international soccer matches, and collegiate sports.
Directly adjacent to the stadium sits Patriot Place, an open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment complex spanning over 1.3 million square feet. Visitors walking down to the complex can enjoy dozens of high-profile amenities, including:
- Dining & Nightlife: Popular spots such as Scorpion Bar, Bar Louie, Six String Grill & Stage, Tavolino Pizza Gourmet, and CBS The Score.
- Shopping & Retail: Destination shopping including Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, vineyard vines, and the Patriots ProShop.
- Entertainment: Showcase Cinema de Lux, Helix eSports, and The Hall at Patriot Place.
- Local Dining in South Walpole: In the immediate village vicinity of South Walpole, visitors are a short drive from historic town commons, local deli spots, and community parks.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Summer Street Parking provides one of the best-kept strategic advantages for Gillette Stadium attendees looking to avoid gridlock. Drivers entering the area can reach the lot via Summer Street from Washington Street (Route 1A) or directly off Route 1 (Providence Highway). During major sellout events, Route 1 experiences severe bumper-to-bumper traffic with restricted police turns and contraflow lanes. Parking at 49 Summer Street allows motorists to approach from the north and west via local South Walpole and Walpole thoroughfares, completely sidestepping the main highway bottlenecks.
When events conclude, the lot's position on Summer Street allows for swift egress northward towards Walpole center, connecting easily to Route 27 and Route 1A, or heading west toward I-95 (Exits 19 and 21) and I-495 via back roads. For regional transit, the Foxboro MBTA Commuter Rail Station operates at Gillette Stadium during major events, while the Walpole Commuter Rail Station sits approximately three miles north along the Franklin Line.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Spacious Surface Parking: Generous outdoor stalls arranged on an expansive surface area with clear directional driving aisles.
- No Height Restrictions: Completely open sky clearance accommodating tall SUVs, roof carriers, and large utility pickup trucks.
- Smooth Post-Event Egress: Easy exit onto local residential and connector roads without being trapped in official stadium post-game holding lanes.
- On-Site Attendants & Traffic Marshalling: Professional staff manage entry lanes, coordinate organized parking lines, and facilitate safe departure onto Summer Street during peak event windows.
- Digital Reservations: Regularly available on major digital reservation networks such as ParkWhiz and SpotHero for advance booking and contactless gate entry.
Ideal For
- Patriots Fans & Tailgaters: Football enthusiasts looking for a hassle-free parking alternative that avoids hours waiting in official stadium lots.
- Concertgoers: Music fans attending major summer tours at Gillette Stadium seeking affordable, pre-bookable spots with a pleasant walking route.
- High-Profile Vehicle Drivers: Owners of lifted pickup trucks, overland vehicles, and full-sized passenger vans who cannot fit into standard covered parking garages.
- Boston & Providence Commuters: Drivers traveling along the I-95 corridor seeking an easy meeting point or satellite parking location close to Foxborough.
Visitor & Driver Tips
Because this lot is highly sought after during Patriots home games and marquee concert weekends, purchasing a parking pass online in advance via ParkWhiz, SpotHero, or designated ticket resale partners is strongly recommended to guarantee your spot. If you plan to pay upon drive-up, arrive early and bring cash as mobile payment or cellular connectivity can become constrained when tens of thousands of event attendees gather in the area.
Wear comfortable walking shoes for the 20- to 25-minute sidewalk walk to Gillette Stadium. When setting your navigation app (Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps), enter '49 Summer St, South Walpole, MA 02071' and plan to arrive at least 2 to 3 hours prior to kickoff or showtime to take full advantage of pre-game festivities at Patriot Place.