Music for the masses: Takoma Park has hosted a popular folk music gathering since 1978. Other annual events include the Takoma Park Street Festival, the Takoma Jazz Fest and the city's own independent film festival.
Takoma Park, Md., is a small, progressive community in Montgomery County just over the Washington, D.C., border. As of July, 1, 2009, the population of the city was 18,027. Takoma Park is very urban, being literally a hop, skip and a jump away from the capital border. While the city itself doesn’t have a WMATA Metrorail station, less than a mile away to the southwest (mainly west) is the Takoma station on the Red Line. You’ll have to cross over into the District to ride the train, though. To be honest, you could walk there, and the exercise may do you good.
So, what else does living in Takoma Park offer the apartment renter? As mentioned, the town is known for its crunchy, community-loving ways. Takoma Park isn’t for everybody, and you may not agree with its “je ne sais quoi” atmosphere, but there are certainly admirable qualities and perks to living here.
Takoma Park was founded back in 1883 by Benjamin Franklin Gilbert and incorporated in 1890. The city claims to be home to many artists, writers and musicians. Takoma Park’s website states: “We have concerts, exhibits, political crusades, dances, neighborhood parties, quilting bees, and volunteer action projects.” Really, all you need is to erect a bandstand and lighting system, make it rain on and off for a few days, and you have Woodstock, Md.
I’m not kidding. The town is an official Tree City USA® and also claims to be “widely known as Azalea City.” Crunch, crunch. There are more than 700 businesses and nonprofits located here, tending toward the small. In 1976, the Takoma Park Historic District was designated by the National Register of Historic Places. In 2004, the much-smaller Takoma Avenue Historic District was added. Finally, also in 2004, the city was awarded a Main Street designation from Main Street Maryland, another state program. Main Street designations are given to communities that have made a commitment to succeed, and the program further “helps them improve the economy, appearance and image of their traditional downtown business districts.”
There is plenty of recreation to be had here, including a bevy of parks, where you can picnic, play sports, and yes, eat organic, crunchy food items. “Pass me the broccoli and cauliflower. No, no, the Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-Op was out of flaxseed oil, so I had to use the safflower. Pomegranate?”
All of which brings us to the local library, which, as you’d guess, has a bit of a progressive bent. And, no, there’s no truth to the rumor that Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals” is required reading once you step into library confines … at least, not that I’m aware of. It comes down to this: If you like community spirit and updated “hippiedom,” you may love it here. If you’re into muscle cars, conservative politics or are otherwise sane, run, run far away! Hahaha. Where’s your sense of humor? Oh, you’ve shown it by reading this far? Don’t get your Nehru jacket up in a flap. Actually, if you are a working class, Budweiser kinda guy or gal, put the folks in Takoma Park to the test and see how inclusive they really are. While you’re at it, kick me that hacky sack!
