Parkwood

On a casual day in Parkwood, you'll find locals out and about riding their bikes and strolling the sidewalks in this neighborly suburb nine miles north of Washington D.C. It's the kind of community where neighbors are happy to greet each other and count on one another to make Parkwood a peaceful place to call home. Kira Lueders, President of the Parkwood Residents Association, has lived in the neighborhood since 1967. "It's a very caring neighborhood," says Lueders. "We have a Facebook page and a Listserve where people will ask for advice. If someone loses a dog, they post it, and the whole neighborhood is mobilized looking for the dog. And we always find it." With about 900 homes in Parkwood, Lueders says 300 residents are members of the Parkwood Residents Association. She says, "It's not a homeowners association. We're a collection of residents who care about the neighborhood. We don't make any rules other than be kind to each other."

Most homes in Parkwood were built in the 1950s, including three-to-four-bedroom Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style houses, ranging from $700,000 to $900,000. You'll find them situated on leafy quarter-acre lots along winding streets with sidewalks, where you'll frequently see neighbors walking by. If you want a newer home, there's a growing number of options as well. "The neighborhood is undergoing a very large change," says Lueders, "Developers are buying a lot of the homes, tearing them down and building brand new houses." These newer Craftsman-style houses are much larger, featuring five to six bedrooms, selling for $1.5 million to $2 million.

Two miles of the 14-mile Rock Creek Trail wrap the entire west side of Parkwood, taking bikers, walkers and joggers on a journey through the woods by the water. Beach Drive runs right by it, offering drivers a scenic route to get around town during the weekday. But on weekends, the section of Beach Drive between Knowles and Connecticut Avenues is reserved for pedestrians only. "It started during COVID," says Lueders, "People were so eager to walk outdoors, but it was hard to keep their distance on Rock Creek Trail because it got so crowded. We asked to close down the road on the weekends, and it just remained that way because it was so well used." While exploring the trail or Beach Drive, you can stop at Puller Playground for the kids. Locals can also go for a dip in the pool or hit the courts at the Cedarbrook Swim and Tennis Club.

Kids in Parkwood receive excellent education through Montgomery County Public Schools. Students start at Kensington Parkwood Elementary, rated an A by Niche. They'll go on to A-rated North Bethesda Middle before finishing up at A-plus-rated Walter Johnson High, ranked the seventh-best high school in Maryland, offering dual enrollment through Montgomery College.

Most of your shopping and dining options can be found on and around Howard Avenue on the north side of Parkwood. Start your morning at Java Nation with coffee and pancakes while talking with friends or working on your laptop. While you can come back for lunch or dinner, there are several other restaurants to choose from, whether you're in the mood for sushi at Hibachi Express, Chinese takeout from Red Ginger or a healthy açaí bowl from Playa Bowls. For everyday groceries, head to Safeway. But if you prefer to shop locally, you can get fresh produce at Kensington Market and find unique Sri Lankan products at Grocerylanka. A small strip of Howard Avenue is designated as Antique Row, known for its many antique stores, art galleries and bookshops selling collectibles from all over the world. Meanwhile, kids can read and play through a magical experience offered at Noyes Children's Library, which makes you feel like you're in a storybook.

For some, Parkwood is it's own storybook where they never want to leave. "I just can't imagine living anywhere else," says Lueders, "I know many people who have lived here their whole lives. I know a 101-year-old gentleman who moved here in 1950, and he's been here ever since." With longtime residents welcoming of new homeowners, Parkwood is a neighborly community with a great appreciation for the outdoors and each other.

Written By

Nicolas Stuart

Photography Contributed By

Chaz Mixon

Video By

Jessica Johnson