Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board Thursday, April 27. View the full agenda for that meeting here. |
Preservation Maryland Will Honor Planning Department's Montgomery Modern Program with Best of Maryland Award at May 11 Ceremony The Montgomery County Planning Department has won a Best of Maryland Award for its four-year-old Montgomery Modern program to raise public awareness about the mid-20th-century modern architectural heritage of Montgomery County. The award recognizes the efforts of Clare Lise Kelly, author of the award-winning 2015 book, Montgomery Modern: Modern Architecture in Montgomery County, Maryland, 1930-1979. Kelly is a preservation planner and an architectural historian with the Planning Department's Historic Preservation Office and leads the Montgomery Modern program. In 2015, Kelly received the Paul H. Kea Medal from the Potomac Valley chapter of the American Institute of Architects for her preservation advocacy. Learn more here. |
Community Invited to Comment on Preliminary Bikeway Recommendations for Bicycle Master Plan The Montgomery County Planning Department invites the community to participate in public meetings during June 2017 to comment on preliminary bikeway recommendations for Montgomery County's Bicycle Master Plan. The meetings will be held in five different locations so that county residents can pick the one that is most convenient for them to attend. Since launching the Bicycle Master Plan in July 2015, planners have considered the newest types of bikeways, such as separated bike lanes and neighborhood greenways, as well as secure bicycle storage facilities at transit stations. Proposed recommendations for the cycling network are based on an evaluation of the varying levels of stress imposed by traffic on cyclists along each roadway in Montgomery County. Learn more here. |
Parks and Recreation of the Future: Voice Your Vision "Parks and Recreation of the Future: Voice Your Vision" is a consolidated outreach initiative to solicit input from people about what they want in their parks. The responses will be used to inform three separate but related projects all seeking public input: 2017 PROS Update, the Energized Public Spaces Functional Master Plan (EPS FMP) and Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Make time to take a survey and help us make our parks better! |
Planning Department Will Present Revised Zoning Text Amendment for Short-Term Residential Rentals to Planning Board on May 4 The Montgomery County Planning Department has proposed a zoning text amendment (ZTA) to regulate online-advertised, short-term home rentals, such as Airbnb, Flipkey, HomeAway and VRBO. The ZTA is posted online for public review before planners present it to the Planning Board on Thursday, May 4. Written testimony about the proposed ZTA can be sent by email to Gregory.Russ@montgomeryplanning.org and the community will have the opportunity to testify publicly about the amendment at the Planning Board meeting on May 4. Once the Planning Board hears from the community and reviews the ZTA, it will transmit its recommendations to the County Council. Learn more here. |
Spring Eye Spy Trains Running every Saturday through April 10am - 6pm | $4 Montgomery Parks' popular Eye Spy Trains are now back for spring. Ride our miniature trains in Cabin John and Wheaton Regional Park and see if you can find all the hidden clues left around the track. Can you find them all? Great for children 8 and under.
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Underground Railroad Experience Trail Guided Hikes Saturdays 10am - 12:30pm | $8, Registration required Talented "conductors" lead groups on a simulated Underground Railroad experience covering 2.0 miles from Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park along a wooded, natural surface trail to the historic Sandy Spring, then back to experience the new Woodlawn Museum and Visitor Center. Hikers learn about various techniques that "freedom seekers" used to elude trackers, find food, and navigate their way north to freedom. Interpretive content best suited for children 7 and up. |
April is Earth Month Celebrate Earth Month in Montgomery Parks! From cleanups to tree plantings to scavenger hunts, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Learn more. Our planet is priceless! Come to Brookside Gardens and Brookside Nature Center to celebrate Earth Day and learn ways to keep it healthy! Join us April 23 from noon-4pm for a volunteer project in the gardens. The afternoon offers something for everyone: a green craft fair, a native plant sale, non-profit educational vendors, family activities, interactive drum circles, tours of the gardens, and more. Discover how small changes in your everyday habits can make a big impact on improving our environment. |
New Interactive Map We want to hear your ideas on how to improve our existing parks and where to build new ones. As part of "Parks and Recreation of the Future: Voice Your Vision", the Department of Parks has developed two maps allowing you to give site-specific comments. Tell us how often you use parks, or leave your comments on park conditions, safety, accessibility and where you think new parks or amenities are needed. Your comments will be used to help us develop recommendations for our parks in the future. You may access the interactive maps here. |
Spring & Summer Festivals and Events Looking for a different type of fun for the entire family? Maybe, a new experience in your backyard? Montgomery Parks has all the excitement just around the corner. Check out our Spring & Summer Festivals & Events Page for all the happenings. Don't miss a chance to see what Montgomery Parks has for you! Autism Awareness Glow Walk and Fun Run - Enjoy an evening of fun-filled activities, including a Glow Walk/Fun Run for Autism Awareness Month on Friday, April 28 from 6:30pm- 9pm. There will be two trails to walk or run (choose either a .5 or 1.9 mile), face painting, and the carousel and train rides will be running. Ice skating will also be available (for a special separate fee). The first 150 to register will receive a t-shirt. Join Montgomery Parks as we celebrate inclusion and diversity!Raptor Festival - Experience the thrill of seeing real owls, hawks, eagles and other predators up close and face-to-face! Meadowside Nature Center is hosting a Raptor Festival Saturday, May 6 from 12pm-4pm. Explore the world of these beautiful birds through all kinds of games and crafts, flight demonstrations and presentations from local experts. Our mascot Otus the Owl will be there to greet you! No registration required. No dogs (except service dogs) allowed at festival site.Wheaton Indoor Tennis Open House - Interested in picking up a tennis racket? Want to get some feedback on your game? The Wheaton Indoor Tennis Center will host a Free Open House on Sunday, May 7 from 5pm-7pm. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and our instructors will be on the courts running games for all ages (4+) and levels. Wheaton Indoor Tennis offers year- round instructional programs and full-day summer camps in our climate-controlled facility, and offers kids tennis party packages. If you are thinking about cool summer fun, this is an open house you can't miss! |
Work on the Capital Crescent Trail Several projects are scheduled to begin on the Capital Crescent Trail. Trail users should use caution around work areas and watch for partial trail closures as park staff works to improve trail use: Montgomery Parks staff will begin a reforestation project in several areas between Massachusetts Avenue and River Road to improve water quality and habitat in the Little Falls Branch Stream Valley. The project will require the removal of several unsanctioned natural surface trails but will also improve access to the Milton/Loughborough Mill with a natural surface trail connector to the historic site.Look for new traffic pattern at trail crossing and Little Falls Parkway. Traffic devices recently installed to improve safety at the intersection of Little Falls Parkway and the Capital Crescent Trail. Visit the following web page for more detailed information.Bike Share Station Installation - MCDOT will be installing a Bike Share Station at the trail intersection on Hillandale Road. Traffic and trail access may be interrupted as equipment is installed. |
Community Meetings and News Make plans to attend upcoming community meetings. Park Staff will be presenting plans for upcoming project renovations and scheduled improvements to the parks. The community is encouraged to attend these meetings and provide input on the upcoming projects: Parks staff will host a community meeting to present plans to renovate Edith Throckmorton Neighborhood Park in Kensington. The intent of the project is to renew the playground and picnic area. The 1/5-acre park is located within a residential neighborhood at 3925 Hampden Street. The meeting will be held on Monday, April 24, 2017 from 7pm - 9pm at the First Baptist Church-Ken-Gar, 3922 Hampden Street, across the street from the Park. Updates and findings to the working draft of the 2017 PROS Plan will be presented to the Planning Board on Thursday, April 27, 2017. The discussion will summarize recent trends to improve the plan, which is a part of the "Parks and Recreation of the Future" campaign. Please note, the date and time are subject to change. Visit the Planning Board Agenda page for updates. Leave your thoughts and comments on our interactive maps or take the "Parks and Recreation of the Future" survey and help us make our parks better! |
Accessibility Improvements Continue Accessibility Improvement work is scheduled to begin at Stratton Local Park, Fleming Local Park, Clear Spring Local Park and Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreational Park this winter. For more information on these and other accessibility projects, please visit: Accessibility Information for Montgomery Parks web page. |
Park Projects The Layhill Phoenix, a sculpture of a wooden totem pole located in Wheaton Regional Park, will be removed for restoration and preservation. The totem pole will be removed in the Spring of 2017. A new location in the park to re-install the sculpture is under study along with other park improvement projects. Stratton Local Park is scheduled to be closed starting April 2017. The one-year project will improve overall access to park and parking lot enhancements. A pedestrian walkway from Democracy Boulevard and a sidewalk entering the park from Harrogate Road is planned. The ball field, shelter, and courts will be closed and inaccessible to the public. Good Hope Local Park is closed as part of the Department of Recreation's Good Hope Recreation Center construction project. Ball fields, tennis courts and other park areas will be inaccessible to the public. Work is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2018. Wheaton-Claridge Local Park is closed as the entire park undergoes renovations. The Park Activity Building will also get a makeover to improve access. The project is scheduled to be complete by Spring 2018. Park users are encouraged to visit other parks in the area as park amenities will not be accessible to the public. Click here for more information on the project. Western Grove Urban Park is closed for renovations. Formerly the Chevy Chase Open Space Urban Park, the 1.9 acre project, in partnership with the Chevy Chase Village, will enhance park amenities including improved accessible walkways, lighting, a paved seating area, natural play area, green space, fencing, and a water feature when completed. Click here for additional information on the project. Kemp Mill Urban Park: The park remains closed for renovations to improve overall access, update the pond and expand the playground. Renovations are expected to be completed by Spring 2017. Click here for a list of alternative parks in the area. Playgrounds at John Haines Neighborhood Park, Camp Seneca Special Park, West Fairland Local Park and Wheaton-Claridge Local Park are closed as part of the Playground Renovation Program. All work is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2017. |
Emerald Ash Borer in Montgomery Parks A non-native invasive beetle in Montgomery County is wreaking havoc on ash trees, many which are in stream valleys on parkland. Learn more on how the department's is addressing the issue here. |
Trail Work in Parks Bikers and Runners should use caution around work areas as improvements are taking place on several trails in Montgomery Parks: A section of the Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail will be closed and inaccessible to the public this spring. The second phase of the renovation project between Franklin Street and the trail connector at Saul Road will begin in late April 2017. A half-mile detour using Franklin Street to Parkwood Drive will be in place when work begins. The detour will reconnect to the trail at the Saul Road trail connector. Click here for more information.The bridge at Seneca Stream Valley Trail in the Quince Orchard Valley Neighborhood Park area will be under construction as new abutments and a prefabricated bridge is installed. A temporary bridge will be built for trail usage. Please use caution around work area. Trail improvements continue on the Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail near Parklawn Local Park. The project includes a new connector to the trail, bridge installation, stream sediment control and storm water management. Sligo Creek Stream Valley Trail: Work is scheduled to repair culvert and stream stabilization on the Sligo Creek Parkway Trail, just south of University Boulevard. Part of the project will require the removal of chain link fence on park property. The trail will remain open with minimal interruption during work, but construction vehicles will be designated to access through Wheaton Lane.Wheaton Regional Park: Trail work continues around Pine Lake trails to improve access and storm water management. Work will require the southern gate to Brookside Gardens to be closed until further notice as a new gate is installed. Watch for detours posted around designated areas as work is scheduled to continue through the spring. For more information on Montgomery Parks Trails, please visit www.MontgomeryTrails.org. |
Carroll Ave Bridge Over Sligo Creek Parkway Remains Closed Major rehabilitation of the MD 195 (Carroll Avenue) Bridge over Sligo Creek and Sligo Creek Parkway is still in process. The bridge will be closed and traffic detoured during the duration of the one-year project. Work may intermittently close Sligo Creek Parkway. Use caution around work areas and continue to share roadways. For more updates... |
The 2017 Summer Camp Guide! Want a warmer thought? Start thinking about summer now! Get ready for our amazing Summer Camps and Programs guide now available. Check out MontgomeryParks.org to see the scheduled summer camps, programs, activities, and offerings throughout Montgomery Parks. |
The 2017 Spring Program GUIDE Is Here and Online! Click here to see all the various programs, classes and events Montgomery Parks has to offer you and your family. Browse the eGuide from your computer or cell via at Montgomery Parks eGuides. |
Montgomery Parks Volunteer Opportunities Weed Warrior Workdays, many parks in MoCo - Click Here!Nature Center Opportunities, including upcoming Special Events and Summer Camp Volunteer - Click Here!Butterfly Show Volunteers, training in April, Wheaton - Click Here! Sowing the Seeds of Victory, Ag. History Farm Park, Derwood - Click Here! Earth Month Volunteer Activities - Click Here! Trail Workdays - Click Here! Autism Awareness Glow Walk and Fun Run Volunteers, Wheaton Regional Park - Click Here! ACEing Autism Tennis Volunteers needed, Wheaton Regional Park - Click Here! Gardening at Nature Centers, Brookside Gardens, etc. - Click Here! Wetland Habitat Planting, Wheaton - Click Here! Summer Camp Counselors, Boyds/Bethesda/Wheaton/Rockville - Click Here! |
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