Acorn Park

Acorn Park is a small public park in Silver Spring featuring an acorn-shaped gazebo and a stone grotto set among landscaped grounds. The two structures give the space its character and serve as focal points within the compact area.

Francis Preston Blair discovered a spring with mineral sparkle in 1840 and established his estate in the area, which became known as Silver Spring. The acorn-shaped gazebo was built in 1842 as an early structure, while the stone grotto was added later to honor the water source.

The gazebo stands as a monument to early American political history, as Blair served as an advisor to multiple United States presidents.

The park is open during daylight hours and offers parking on surrounding streets with limited availability. The nearby Metro station makes it easy to reach without a car.

Benjamin C. King constructed the architectural gazebo in 1842, while Samuel Phillips Lee added the stone grotto at the spring location in 1894.

Location: Montgomery County

Operator: Montgomery Parks

Address: 8060 Newell St, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Opening Hours: sunrise-sunset

Website: https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/acorn-urban-park

GPS coordinates: 38.98958,-77.02899

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:02