Is Parkwood safe?
Kensington, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Parkwood as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Parkwood
“Go. Parkwood is an exceptionally safe, affluent, and peaceful residential enclave nestled in Montgomery County. Visitors and residents face minimal safety concerns, making it an ideal quiet base near Bethesda and Washington, D.C.”
About the area
Parkwood is a classic mid-century suburban community defined by lush tree-canopied streets, single-family homes, and active neighborhood parks. Situated just north of the National Institutes of Health and Walter Reed Medical Center, it offers a tranquil atmosphere with swift access to major regional corridors.
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined Suburb
- Peaceful / Quiet
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Parkwood
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 48/100
Capital Bikeshare stations are located nearby at transit hubs and major junctions, offering straightforward connectivity to the regional Rock Creek Trail.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low violent and property crime rates compared to national and regional averages
- High household median income exceeding $200,000 with very high owner-occupancy rates
- Well-maintained public green spaces and direct access to Rock Creek Stream Valley trails
Cons
- Suburban street layout requires a vehicle for most daily errands and dining
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle break-ins when cars are left unlocked overnight
- Limited commercial footprint directly inside the residential core
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically nonexistent in Parkwood's residential neighborhoods, with services and emergency shelters concentrated in core commercial districts of Bethesda and Silver Spring.
What Parkwood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and parents walking children to school.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with light neighborhood traffic and residents enjoying local yards and parks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant and very safe with neighbors taking post-dinner strolls along well-lit residential avenues.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with virtually no pedestrian activity and very low street risk.
Transit, parking and getting around
Montgomery County Ride On buses (such as Routes 33, 34, and 42) serve nearby boundary roads like Cedar Lane and Connecticut Avenue, connecting riders to the Medical Center and Grosvenor-Strathmore Red Line Metro stations about 1.5 miles away.
Free residential curbside parking is abundant and easy to find throughout the neighborhood without meters, while driveways provide ample private parking.
Things to do in Parkwood
- Stroll or picnic under mature canopy trees at Maplewood-Alta Vista Local Park
- Connect to the paved multi-use paths of the Rock Creek Trail just east of the neighborhood
- Visit the nearby historic Kensington Antique Row for boutique shopping and cafe dining
Local favorites
- Dish & Dram · American Restaurant · 4.5★ (380)A cozy nearby neighborhood bistro serving comfort-driven international fare, craft beer, and cocktails.
- Kensington Natural Foods · Organic Grocery & Deli · 4.6★ (115)Longstanding local market stocking specialty natural groceries, supplements, and fresh prepared bites.
- BabyCat Brewery · Brewery · 4.8★ (240)Popular nearby gathering spot featuring house-brewed craft beers, a dog-friendly patio, and rotating food trucks.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.