Police See Increase in Illegal Parking on MacArthur Boulevard

Hiking on the trails near can be an opportunity to enjoy nature, but cars parked illegally in the area are a cause for concern for local law enforcement.

Officers from the are responding to many cars that are parked illegally on the shoulder of MacArthur Boulevard between and Clara Barton Parkway, said Officer Chris Winkler, who patrols the area. The cars — which are usually parked to go to Great Falls Park and its surrounding trails — are blocking the shoulders of the road causing a serious hazard for bikers and rescue vehicles, Winkler added.

“It’s really becoming a problem because the cars are taking up the shoulder and the bike lane and Fire and Rescue can’t get through if they need to,” Winkler said. “I hate to say it, but I’m just waiting on an accident to happen.”

Parking cars illegally not only causes traffic problems — it could cost drivers up to $90.

Winkler said over the last four weeks he has issued more than 50 parking tickets, with each ticket costing between $60 and $90.

One problem with the offenders is that a majority of them are not from the area and don’t know they can’t park there, nor that the road is a major thoroughfare for bikers and runners who use the street, Winkler said.

Instead of parking illegally between Old Angler’s Inn and Clara Barton Parkway, Winkler suggested parking in the Great Falls Park lots. Passes for the lots cost $5 per vehicle and are good for three days, according to the park's website.