Terrapin Masters Swim Club
Terrapin Masters Directions & Parking

Since many of the University of Maryland's parking facilities are restricted to permit-holders, here's a guide to figuring out where to park when headed to UMD for a swim.

To start out, if you are unfamiliar with the location of the Eppley Recreation Center or any of the parking locations mentioned below, the UMD Parking Map may come in handy.

Driving Directions

Driving directions to the Comcast Arena Parking Garage:

  • From the beltway, take the exit for Rte 1 south.
  • Take Rte 193 (Greenbelt Road) west. Proceed 1.3 miles.
  • At Stadium Drive, make a U-Turn (a U-Turn is legal at this intersection) to head back east on Rte 193.
  • Make a right Terrapin Trail. This road leads you into a wooded area.
  • Follow the road to the garage.
  • To get to the ERC, cross the pedestrian bridge at garage entrance. Enter at East Entrance and proceed to Level 1.

Directions to Parking Lot 2G:

  • From the beltway, take the exit for Rte 1 South.
  • Take Rte 193 (Greenbelt Rd) west. Proceed 1.3 miles.
  • Turn left onto Stadium Drive.
  • Continue on Stadium Drive by proceeding 3/4 of the way around the circle in front of Byrd Stadium
  • Take first left, just outside the Elkton Hall high-rise dormitory, onto Valley Drive.
  • Follow Valley Drive down the hill and into Lot 2G - park in metered spaces if parking regulations are in effect.
  • To enter the ERC, take steps up to West Entrance.

Parking

In the Evenings:
Park in the COMCAST ARENA parking garage. From the garage, walk across the pedestrian bridge to the ERC Building. Parking is free in the Comcast Arena garage after 4PM.

On Weekday Mornings:
Park in "metered" spaces in Lot 2G behind the Outdoor Aquatic Center or in front of the Rec Center's main entrance. Meter enforcement begins at 7:00am.

On Weekends:
Many campus lots are restriction-free and Pay Station spots are free on weekends, though students and visitors often take advantage of the lifted restrictions. The COMCAST ARENA garage is always a safe bet.

On Gamedays:
Many lots are reserved for Football and Basketball Season-Ticket holders and require game-day permits to enter. The "metered" spaces in front of the Rec Center's Main entrance are the closest to the ERC. After that, look for a space in any campus lot that does NOT have a 24/7 restriction. The lots by the farm are the next-closest, but also fill up with Terp fans.

Parking Meters

Parking meters have been removed and metered spaces have become Pay Station spaces. Pay stations are located adjacent to every pay station area. Costs are approximately $2 per hour. Terrapin Masters has worked a deal with the Department of Transportation Services to accomodate regular early-morning swimmers.

Swimmers may purchase "scratch-off meter permits" for use on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. These are red permits that you will hang from your car mirror. The permits will be good from 7:00 - 8:30, and will cost $3.00 each. You can buy as many or as few as you wish, and they are good through 2011.

To purchase, go to the Department of Transportation Services office on the ground floor of the Regents Drive parking garage (open M-F, 8:15-4:00), and walk into the Faculty-Staff office on the left, then fill out a small yellow "Special Project" registration card. The employees at the desks there will be able to assist you. Each permit will have the twelve months of the year, the 31 days, and the year (2009, 2010, 2011) - you just scratch off the month, day, and year for that particular day. These permits are supposedly good for any metered space.

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