Parking Brings Bucks to Congressional Neighbors

The once-lush, green lawns of homes near the have been turned into a landscape of shining car hoods. The U.S. Open may have caused headaches for those stuck in traffic, but homeowners around Congressional have used the influx of cars to turn a quick buck.

The United States Golf Association's calls for drivers to use USGA-sanctioned offsite parking lots in Gaithersburg or Northern Virginia and take shuttles in to the club, but private homeowners -- with the proper permits -- have been cashing in on those in search of more convenient parking.

On Congressional Court, just across the street from the fifth hole, a spectrum of cars are lined up outside of Brooke Slowinski’s house, as well as his neighbors’.

“It’s a great opportunity to make some extra money,” Slowinski said.

Today, he is manning his neighbor’s lawn while someone else tends to his. He has a chair and large umbrella set up by the mailbox to stay comfortable in the summer weather.

“I’m hoping to fit about 70 cars,” he said of his neighbor’s yard.

His lawn can hold 100 to 110 cars, he estimates. Most lawn parking spots have been going for $30 to $50 since the Open started, but Montgomery County spokeswoman Bonnie Ayers estimates it could rise to $75 once the championship rounds begin Thursday.

Slowinski thinks it could get more than $100 -- money he says he can use as a recent college graduate. Plus, the money from the parking pays for his ticket to see the tournament.

According to Ayers, Montgomery County is not encouraging nor discouraging homeowners to sell parking spots on their lawns.

“We have granted permits to homeowners who want to do this,” she said.

In order to be granted a permit, homeowners had to submit a site plan of the “parking lot,” as well as how it would be handicap accessible, 10 days before the tournament.

To keep traffic moving, Montgomery County has asked residents not to allow parkers to linger on the side of roads while haggling prices or asking for directions.

“We ask them to pull into the driveway to keep as smooth a traffic flow around the Congressional Country Club as possible,” Ayers said.

As for the parkers who are willing to pay for the parking; they all have their reasons.

“The reason is we were running late,” said Ronni Dawson, who came from Virginia.

Mark Preston paid for the parking because he brought his baby along. He said the Metro is just too much when bringing little ones.

Others, like Tony Kennedy, have friends who live near Congressional and get a parking spot for free. And, of course, there's the convenience.

“We just rolled up and parked,” said Mark Lender.