Facility Overview
Town Square Public Garage 61 (Montgomery County Garage 61) is a premier multi-level municipal parking structure located in the heart of Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, at 786 Ellsworth Drive. Centered right in the vibrant Ellsworth commercial core, this spacious garage offers hundreds of covered parking bays spread across multiple decks with elevator access and clearly delineated stalls. The facility accommodates standard passenger vehicles, compact cars, minivans, and mid-to-full-size SUVs. Drivers of lifted trucks, oversized commercial vans, or vehicles carrying rooftop storage boxes should note the posted clearance limit of approximately 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 meters) at the garage entrances. With wide driving aisles, intuitive floor-by-floor wayfinding, and sheltered spaces that shield vehicles from inclement weather, Garage 61 serves as one of the most reliable and convenient parking hubs in the Silver Spring Urban District.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Garage 61 provides unbeatable pedestrian access to Downtown Silver Spring\'s top retail, cultural, and entertainment destinations. Situated directly adjacent to the pedestrian-friendly Ellsworth Drive shopping promenade and Veterans Plaza, visitors are just steps away from:
- Veterans Plaza & Silver Spring Civic Building: Located less than a 2-minute walk away, hosting community events, cultural festivals, outdoor concerts, and the seasonal outdoor ice skating rink.
- The Fillmore Silver Spring: Renowned live music and concert hall located only 2 blocks away (approximately a 4-minute walk).
- AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center: Historic art-deco venue showcasing independent cinema, classic films, and film festivals (a 5-minute walk along Colesville Road).
- Ellsworth Place & Downtown Retail: Home to multi-level shopping, Dave & Buster\'s, Marshalls, and a wide variety of dining spots right on Ellsworth Drive.
- Regal Majestic Stadium 20 & IMAX: Modern multi-screen theater complex situated directly across the street.
- Silver Spring Library & Bonifant Street: Vibrant dining corridor with an eclectic collection of authentic international restaurants within a 6-minute walk.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Entering and exiting Town Square Garage 61 is straightforward thanks to strategic access points connecting to Ellsworth Drive, Fenton Street, and Roeder Road. The garage is quickly accessible from major arterial highways, including Georgia Avenue (MD-97), Colesville Road (US-29), and East-West Highway (MD-410), connecting seamlessly to the Capital Beltway (I-495) just 1.5 miles to the north. For multimodal travelers, the garage is an easy 7-to-9 minute walk (approx. 0.4 miles) to the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center and Silver Spring Metro Station, providing access to the WMATA Metrorail Red Line, MARC Brunswick Line commuter rail, Metrobus, Ride On routes, and the Purple Line light rail.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Covered Multi-Deck Parking: Protection against rain, snow, and summer heat across several elevated tiers.
- EV Charging Stations: Level 2 electric vehicle charging ports (accessible via ChargePoint/EVgo networks) on designated levels.
- ADA Accessible Stalls: Clearly marked accessible spaces situated near elevators and primary pedestrian exits.
- Convenient Payment Methods: Pay-by-cell options using MobileNOW / ParkMobile, plus automated pay stations accepting major credit cards and cash.
- Security & Safety: Well-lit stairwells, operational security patrols, 24/7 CCTV surveillance, and clearly signed emergency call boxes.
- Elevator & Pedestrian Walkways: ADA-compliant elevator banks delivering direct street-level access to Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street.
Ideal For
- Concertgoers & Nightlife Enthusiasts: Evening visitors attending shows at The Fillmore Silver Spring or screenings at AFI Silver Theatre.
- Weekend Diners & Shoppers: Patrons exploring the bustling restaurants and retail outlets along Ellsworth Drive and Downtown Silver Spring.
- Civic & Community Attendees: Families and attendees visiting public events, the ice rink, or civic gatherings at Veterans Plaza.
- Daily Commuters & Professionals: Area office workers and hybrid commuters seeking economical monthly or day-rate parking close to the Metro.
Visitor & Driver Tips
To ensure a hassle-free parking experience at Garage 61, take note of the following local tips:
- Payment Hours: Parking enforcement in Montgomery County downtown garages generally applies during posted hours (typically Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM), with free or discounted parking often offered on Sundays and county holidays—always verify posted signs upon entry.
- Mobile App Convenience: Save time by registering your license plate and payment info on the ParkMobile app before arriving, allowing you to pay or extend your parking session remotely.
- Peak Arrival Times: The garage fills rapidly on Friday and Saturday evenings due to concurrent events at The Fillmore, Regal Cinemas, and Veterans Plaza; arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes prior to ticketed showtimes.
- Higher Floors for Easy Stalls: On busy weekend nights, bypass the first two parking decks and drive directly to levels 4 and above for open spaces and easier maneuverability.