Empty Parking Lots; Getting to Opening Night?
Based on my own observations and some others that have come my way, it seems that the parking lots put together by the Nationals for Opening Night near the ballpark were not anywhere close to filled to capacity, despite months of dire predictions that even these 4,000 or so spaces would not be anywhere near enough to handle just season ticket holders, let alone people who just had tickets for that night and wanted to park near the stadium. For instance, the 110-space lot T at Third and K wasn't even opened on Sunday night, and lot U was nowhere near capacity. On the other hand, some reports say that Lot 8 at RFK was completely full, and there was overflow parking at Lot 7. So, I'm looking for some information, and I'd love responses from readers. If you went to Opening Night, how did you get there? If you drove, did you have a parking pass for one of the lots? Which lot did you park in? Did you have a pass, but opted to take Metro or go to RFK? If you took Metro, how did you arrive? (Navy Yard, Capitol South, Union Station, N22 bus, other bus, etc.) Did you walk? Did you bike? Leave your information in the comments. Thanks! |
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Kenny says: (Apr 1, 2008 01:25 PM)
Metro was a breeze, despite some large crowds. They really ran the trains well turning them back at Mt. Vernon Square. Nice work Metro!
Jeff Arnold says: (Apr 1, 2008 01:35 PM)
Went to opening night on the N22 bus... Left Massachusetts and Firts at 5:00pm and was the only one on the bus until Eastern Market where one other joined me. Afterwards, caught it back to Union Station, five people were on board.
Sam says: (Apr 1, 2008 01:37 PM)
Walked from home near Eastern Market.
Ed says: (Apr 1, 2008 01:52 PM)
Biked...had a bike rack all to myself by the 3rd base entrance.
John says: (Apr 1, 2008 02:01 PM)
I took the Metro. Live in Mt. Vernon Square neighborhood, so it was a quick ride to the park. When walking around the stadium we noticed that the parking garages past the outfield did not appear to be nearly full either.
Michael says: (Apr 1, 2008 02:11 PM)
Didn't go , but I saw a lot of people (~500) walking up New Jersey Ave toward (the Capitol?) after the game. Were these people just walking home or heading to some other Metro?
WFY says: (Apr 1, 2008 02:14 PM)
I took Metro from Pentagon City to Navy Yard and vice-versa. Crowded, but no other issues.
Dale MacIver says: (Apr 1, 2008 02:14 PM)
I bought only a partial season ticket for $200 total. Decided not to buy parking space which would have cost $300 and up. Came on Metro blue line through L'Enfant station and walked from Capitol South at 5:30 pm. Ten other people walking down at the same time. Half hour wait to clear magnetic checkpoint.
Left the game halfway through with dozens of parents with small children. Metro at Navy Yard station nearly empty.
Brandon says: (Apr 1, 2008 02:16 PM)
Walked from house which is near Eastern Market. Took North Carolina from 7th all the way down til 2nd, then walked up the stairs to get to New Jersery Ave, took that to M st. to 1st street then walked up 1st street to the stadium. Very nice walk, well lit, and saw plenty of police cars along the way home. I was walking with many people on New Jersey, I assume they were all walking to the Capital South Metro Station.
Charles says: (Apr 1, 2008 02:44 PM)
Walked from Eastern Market.
Jeff T says: (Apr 1, 2008 02:48 PM)
Took Metro from Greenbelt station and was door to gate going in at 4:30PM in 35 minutes. Left middle of the 8th and waited one train on platform at Navy Yard which was about 5 minutes and was back in Greenbelt in 25 minutes. Very nice. We have full season plan split with 12 people and all of us unanimously voted that the parking was too expensive compared to other options. Sounds like many others have thought the same way.
washcycle says: (Apr 1, 2008 02:52 PM)
Rode my bike and parked at the valet and I can attest that the top two levels of the NE parking garage were empty but for Secret Service.
Rob says: (Apr 1, 2008 02:56 PM)
Walked from 3rd and M St. SW. There was a lot of pedestrian traffic on my way home that continued past my apartment. I don't know this, but I am assuming people either parked on Water St., lived there, or were walking to Lenfant metro.
pete says: (Apr 1, 2008 02:57 PM)
RFK. No wait on the way to the stadium, short wait after the game.
I think I spied JD at the security line on S. Capitol Street.
uniongirl says: (Apr 1, 2008 03:48 PM)
Home with the sick kid on Sunday night. About 10ish, people walked passed CHT loudly, clearly enjoying themselves too much. Did not appear to be CHT folks as they continued walking up NJA.
N22 buses also parked in front of CHT on NJA and opened and closed their doors. There were three of them, beeping with their lights on.
Other than these inconveniences, it was kind of interesting when the power went out across the street and for what looked like the blocks leading over to South Cap.
All in all, it seemed pretty smoothe, and I was thrilled to see that Positive Nature figured out how to make a little money off the stadium with their parking. Very cool.
Robin says: (Apr 1, 2008 04:31 PM)
walked the few blocks from/to capitol hill tower
matt says: (Apr 1, 2008 05:43 PM)
We took the metro to the game from Columbia Heights to Navy Yard around 5pm. The metro was packed, but getting out of the station went quickly. We then left the game after the 9th. We were planning on taking the metro, but police were blocking people from entering the station because the platform was packed. So we took the N22 to Union Station (the bus was dutifully waiting right next to the Navy Yard metro entrance). Overall, it was busy, but no complaints.
Will says: (Apr 1, 2008 05:53 PM)
Parked at New Carrolton Metro and rode to Capitol South, about 22mins, and then a 15min walk to the park, train was no more than half full. Stayed for the whole game, and walked with a trickle of people back to Capitol South, Capitol Police had the area heavily patrolled. 45mins from when I left the stadium till I was at my car.
Brian says: (Apr 1, 2008 06:09 PM)
I drove from Fairfax County to the Branch Avenue Metro station (which had plenty of free parking); that way, we were coming from the opposite direction as the majority of the crowd. This made for a much easier time headed back as well. No crowds on the trains either coming or going.
Dan says: (Apr 1, 2008 06:45 PM)
About the 1/2 empty parking garages...It looked like that there were Secret Service perched on the roofs. I would think that they wanted to maintain control of any level of the garages that have a view of the field or presidential box.
Russ says: (Apr 1, 2008 06:54 PM)
I went Saturday and Sunday nights. Both nights I parked at Pentagon City and took the Yellow line to L'Enfant Plaza and the Green line metro to the Navy Yard Station. We live in Fairfax County and it took under an hour going to the stadium and returning home. I also used the East entrance to the Navy Yard which is much less crowded. You can't beat the price either $2.00 to park and $2.70 for the metro.
G-man says: (Apr 1, 2008 10:04 PM)
Drove over to 8th & I from just east of Lincoln Park (Ward 6 sticker has its priviledges), and then hoofed it from there - south on 8th and west on M. Hardley any traffic at all. Walked back with several people returing to 8th street area.
Tony Corbo says: (Apr 1, 2008 10:23 PM)
I took the Metro both Saturday and Sunday. I emerged from the Half Street entrance on both days. On Saturday night, I went to the New Jersey Avenue entrance because the Half Street entrance was clogged. On Sunday night, I had no problem leaving using the Half Street entrance. Metro did a great job both nights.
GoNatsGo says: (Apr 1, 2008 11:06 PM)
Hi Jackie,
We went from Pent City to L'Enfant to Navy Yard.
Importantly, for your research, we think it'll be faster to drive direct to RFK Lot 8, linger for a moment of nostalgia for the 2005-2007 miracle years, then take the shuttle to NP.
GNG
John says: (Apr 2, 2008 12:10 AM)
Came from Haymarket, got a hotel room from hotwire.com for $108.00 near the Convention Center, took the Green Line in from China Town, beat the crowd (2 stops down switching). Took a cab back to the hotel for $11.00.
Jeff Pieproint says: (Apr 2, 2008 06:31 AM)
Subway from Ft. Totten and back - went smoothly - we exited and entered the east side of Navy Yard - no crowds at all - got on the front car leaving Ft Totten and the rear car leaving Navy Yard.
Angie says: (Apr 2, 2008 08:36 AM)
We walked from our home in SW! You have to walk past some rough neighborhoods, but the crowds made it feel safer.
Ray from Rockville says: (Apr 2, 2008 09:54 AM)
I parked at lot 8 on Sat night and took Metro on Sun. Lot 8 shuttle is very good...BUT..the walk is about 5 to 6 blocks from drop point and some of us just can't do that, it was a killer. Metro on Sun was fast but my own inexperience did me in. Transfered to Yellow train instead of Green at Ft Totten. Then at Pentagon took Blue back instead of Yellow. Our inexperience to Metro showed but we still felt Metro is great way to go now that we understand we need to pay attention..haha. It is a short block walk once out of station. Side note, my 89 yr old father-in-law had his pocket picked at Navy Yard station on way home. I saw his wallet as we took fare cards out before going through gate to enter station, so I know he had it there. Some others have advised me of being pick-pocketed also at station and in park. The sticky fingered professionals were out too due to large crowds I guess.
Sam says: (Apr 2, 2008 09:59 AM)
JD,
Opening Day I used our parking pass for Green lot K on the corner of L and South Cap. It was great. Easy in and easy out, two right turns and we were on 395 south. Home in 15 mins. I was better than I ever expected.
On Saturday took the Nats Express. Very easy except there was a longer walk than I anticipated at the drop off spot. But I would use this again for the games I don't get the pass.
Paul says: (Apr 2, 2008 11:02 AM)
My trip went very well on Sunday. I drove to Greenbelt, and shared a Metro train with a bunch going to the circus at Verizon Center. Noticed the bigger crowd getting on at L'Enfant Plaza. After the game we walked to the entrance by the CVS, and waited 10 minutes before the Metro police allowed us to enter so the platform would handle the crowd. The train we got on at was suppose to go as far as the Convention Center station, but ended up going back to Greenbelt. A very good way to get to and from the game.
steve says: (Apr 2, 2008 11:30 AM)
JD,
like someone else mentioned, I also parked in Lot K (arrived at 5:30pm) and found it SO EASY to get home to the Gaithersburg! The lines at the concession stands were a diffent matter though! :-(
Kevin Edwards says: (Apr 2, 2008 11:34 AM)
Metro - Navy Yard station
Jeff Davis says: (Apr 2, 2008 11:58 AM)
I took Metro to Capitol South and walked from there. Not a bad walk at all, and much less crowded than the Navy Yard station appeared to be.
Lee says: (Apr 2, 2008 12:23 PM)
I took the shuttle from RFK on opening night. It was a breeze getting there (15 Minutes), but I got on the bus around 4pm when Lot 8 was empty.
Going back was a nightmare. It is a schlep to the staging point at 3rd & M Sts. And when I got there it was chaos. The plan apparently is to get everyone in line and as each bus fills up it pulls off.
Unfortunately there was only ONE BUS MONITOR there (15 cops were standing around doing nothing. I asked one of them where I should go to get on the bus and she said "I don't know"). The smart people were running and filling the buses at the back of the line and they were pulling out full so the stupid people like me who waited in line at the front were watching full buses pass us by. It looked like the end of the movie Titanic.
Then when you get on the service road to RFK, the buses are too long to negotiate the turns on the narrow driveway, so they have to alternate stopping traffic each way to let buses get in adding to the delay in and out.
It took me 45 minutes total from when I left the ballpark until I drove out of Lot 8 at RFK. I live in Arlington, so the trip home from that point was a breeze and took 15 minutes (no traffic on I-395). But an hour door to door to Arlington is ridiculous. I'll never do that again!!
We have a parking pass which someone else in my group used that night and they got home to Arlington in 20 minutes!
TJ says: (Apr 2, 2008 12:25 PM)
I walked from my house in Capitol Riverfront (the apparent new name for Near Southeast, south of the freeway). Noticed the "W" lot was completely empty (old Capper highrise site)
Steve says: (Apr 2, 2008 01:33 PM)
Drove to opening night. Took Main Ave - M Street all the way in no problem. Have reserved parking in blue lot Z right on 4th street. No problem and very easy in and out. Exited right onto M street then took the 11th street bridge across the river and WW bridge. No traffic or city to deal with and made it home to Fairfax VA in 25 minutes.
The Piper says: (Apr 2, 2008 01:57 PM)
I drove in both nights & parked in lot 8 of RFK. On Opening Night lot 8 was almost full at 5:30 pm. The lot needs to be cleaned because there are broken bottles on most rows. The bottles were there when I arrived for the exhibition game so they were not left there by Nats fans. It took me 40 min to get from the center field exit until my car left lot 8 - not bad when you consider a 5-6 block walk, 7 min wait for a bus, 10 min ride to RFK & then a longer wait than last year to exit because of all the bus traffic in/out of the parking lots. I would have purchased a parking pass if they were cheaper so instead buy two more expensive beers for the price of the cheapest parking. I noticed that the Nats parking lots were at most 20% full in the 3rd street area. The RFK lots seemed to be darker than last year - partly due to not having any stadium lights on. I had one friend who paid $30 for a lot in the Navy Yards area on Opening Night & only $25 for the exhibition game.
Blair says: (Apr 2, 2008 09:20 PM)
Took the N22 bus from Union Station both Saturday and Sunday. Probably no more than 10 people on the bus going to the ballpark either night. No more than 5 on the bus leaving Navy Yard for Union Station. In fact, on Sunday, the wife and I left at the end top of the 8th, and was able to get home off of Stanton Park before the bottom of the 9th. So, I was able to see the walk-off homerun, although it was on tv.
Marty Resnick says: (Apr 3, 2008 08:02 AM)
Opened up my lot at 100 L Street next to Market Deli at 1st and L. Filled it up pretty quickly starting at 2:30 and leaving at 4:30. I saw a lot of people walking from the Capitol direction down New Jersey Ave.
What a great feeling to see fans and their families walking these streets that have not seen pedestrians walking socially in over 40-50 years. I remember those days when my Dad operated his 5&10 store at the location of the new Courtyard Marriott.
Marty Resnick says: (Apr 3, 2008 08:04 AM)
I still have room for ticket holders who would prefer parking for the season. Call 301/279-7033. for $25.00.
Gary Engelstad says: (Apr 3, 2008 10:16 AM)
Metro from Cheverly to Eastern Market. Some beers and wings at Tune Inn, walked to the stadium via your directions from Capitol South. Walked back to Capitol South, no wait for ORange Line back to CHeverly. Making the walks with crowds made it easier and also reassuring that we were going in the right direction. THere was an occasional police cruiser along the way as well. ALl in all, great experience.
Pete Floto says: (Apr 3, 2008 10:38 AM)
For Saturday and Sunday games, we drove from home in Palisades via GW Parkway, 14th St. bridge, SW/SE Freeway to exit 6 to assigned $20 Lot R, an underground garage in building at 1100 New Jersey, 2 blocks from center field gate. Round trip both days a breeze--20-25 minutes--door to door.
John says: (Apr 5, 2008 10:39 AM)
Why don't the Nats Express busses stop near Barracks Row on either M ST or Virginia Ave on their way to and from RFK. They drive right by but their is no pick-up and drop off spot. The Eastern Mkt metro stop should be an option for Nats fans that would like to shop and dine on Cap. Hill before and after games then walk down 8TH ST to hop on one of the Express busses driving by.
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