Residents
Welcome to Garrett Park!
While it’s hard to identify the first planned residential community in the United States, the creation of Garrett Park in 1898 is a strong contender for first place! As a small town with its own government, historic character and commitment to community, we’re glad you’re here.
Here are a few helpful things to know:
Garrett Park is an incorporated town, within Montgomery County, governed by a town-elected Mayor and 5-person Town Council. Together they decide policy matters and control Garrett Park’s budget and spending. Council meetings are held monthly, on the 2nd Monday of the month.
The Town Manager and staff carry out the day-to-day operations of the town, as well as support the Mayor and Council. Meet the Town Staff
Penn Place – the heart of Garrett Park
Penn Place is located at 4600 Waverly Ave.
- Top floor – the Town Offices. Staff is there 9 am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday. They are always available to answer any questions and help you get settled in town.
- Ground floor – Black Market Bistro restaurant and Garrett Park Art Gallery.
- Lower level – our US Post Office, P.O. boxes, and town bulletin boards.
Important ways Garrett Park differs from Montgomery County:
Mail delivery
There is no residential mail delivery, we pick up our mail from the Post Office. Mail is delivered to the Post Office at Penn Place daily and distributed to individual P.O. boxes. Yellow notification slips are placed in your P.O. box for packages which you then collect at the counter. The Post Office staff are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, the Post Office staff are available from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
If you’re just picking up mail at your P.O. box, Penn Place is open from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Your new address
Your mail will be delivered with only the P.O. box number. For everything else, the general best practice is to use both address lines: Line 1 for your street address, Line 2 for your P.O. box number.
Building permits
A Garrett Park building permit is required in addition to any required Montgomery County permit. This includes houses, additions, sheds, garages, decks, porches, and driveways.
Trash collection: Mondays and Thursdays
Recycling: (curbside only) Thursdays
Large item pickups occur quarterly.
When holidays or weather disrupt normal service, the Town Calendar, the Garrett Park Forum, and GPML will be updated by Town staff with the next dates of service.
Arboretum
Garrett Park is an arboretum, and we take great pride in our trees!
The Town has jurisdiction over trees and plantings in the right of way. (Every property has a portion that belongs to the Town, rather than to the individual property owner, known as the “right of way.”) You can locate your house on these survey maps. If you have any questions or requests about the plantings in your property’s right-of-way, contact the Town Office.
How to keep informed
The Bugle
Published monthly by the Citizens Association, the Bugle is your first stop for what’s going on in town. Paper copies are available in the post office lobby or read it online.
Town e-mail lists
- Garrett Park Neighbors: The Garrettparkneighbors list serves the broader neighborhood including Garrett Park Estates. It’s the main way residents communicate with each other about town topics, things to sell/give away, and recommendations for everything from doctors to landscapers. To join, e-mail Todd Harris Garrettparkneighbors+owner@groups.io
- GPML is the official Town mailing list, and the ability to post to it is restricted to Town staff, Elected Officials, and the Chairs of Committees.
- The Garrett Park Town Forum has the official notices of GPML but with the ability for residents to post to the Forum and get information from their neighbors.
- If you’re interested in being added to either the Forum or GPML (or both!), reach out to the Town Office.
How to get involved
- Read the Bugle and sign up on the listservs to know what’s going on in town.
- Meet your neighbors: watch for announcements about the Newcomers Dinner, Porches & Patios, Progressive Dinner, Brewfest, and other fun events.
- Join the Community Pool.
- Volunteer your time on one of the many committees and organizations in town. They’re a great way to meet people and get to know Garrett Park.
Have more questions?
Contact the Town Office at (301) 933-7488 or visit them on the third floor of Penn Place.