Takoma Park

Takoma Park is a suburban city in Montgomery County, Maryland, northeast of Washington D.C., with tree-lined streets and residential neighborhoods across roughly 6 square kilometers (2.4 square miles). The city combines quiet residential areas with small commercial streets and parks.

Benjamin Franklin Gilbert founded the settlement in 1883 as a residential development and it gained official city status in 1890. The community grew into a suburb with its own administration and local identity.

The name comes from an indigenous word for the nearby highland and today connects with small shops and neighborhood meeting points. Many residents maintain their front yards as community green spaces and organize weekly markets for local produce.

The residential neighborhoods suit walking and many streets have sidewalks beneath the tree canopy. The central area offers access to public spaces and small shops.

City rules grant all residents from age 16 the right to vote in municipal decisions, regardless of citizenship. This arrangement extends local democratic participation beyond nationwide standards.

Location: Montgomery County

Inception: April 3, 1890

Elevation above the sea: 88 m

Shares border with: Silver Spring, Takoma, Langley Park

Website: https://takomaparkmd.gov

GPS coordinates: 38.97778,-77.00750

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:02