Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board Thursday, May 11. View the full agenda for that meeting here. |
American Planning Association Honors Montgomery County Planning Department with Two Prestigious National Awards
 "These awards represent national recognition for our planning efforts, both past and present, in Montgomery County," said Wright. "We are thrilled that the planning profession understands the value of our Agricultural Reserve as a model of land conservation and our Bicycle Stress Map as a tool for developing safe bikeways that can be adapted to other jurisdictions." |
Planning Department Celebrates Historic Preservation Month with Talk and Exhibit on Midcentury Modern Architecture at Silver Spring Library
 The Montgomery County Planning Department is celebrating Historic Preservation Month in May 2017 with Montgomery Modern, an exhibit on mid-20th-century buildings and neighborhoods at the Silver Spring Library (900 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring, MD). The exhibit is on display in the library's main lobby through June 30.
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Planning Board and Department Announce May 2017 Events
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Community Invited to Attend Next Veirs Mill Corridor Master Plan Meeting on May 15 at Newport Mill Middle School
 RSVP for the May 15 Veirs Mill Community Meeting. The community is invited to learn about the county's recreational facility development, existing recreational programs and planned facilities, and the process for the disposition of public property. Learn more here. |
Planning Department Reschedules Planning Board Presentation of Revised Zoning Text Amendment for Short-Term Residential Rentals to May 11
 The Montgomery County Planning Department has changed the date of its presentation about a proposed zoning text amendment (ZTA) to regulate online-advertised, short-term home rentals, such as Airbnb, Flipkey, HomeAway and VRBO. The presentation will be made on Thursday, May 11, 2017 instead of May 4, 2017. The ZTA has already been posted online for public review. Comments and suggestions about the proposed ZTA can be sent to Gregory.russ@montgomeryplanning.org. The community will also have the opportunity to testify about the amendment at the Planning Board meeting on May 11. Once the Planning Board reviews the ZTA, it will transmit its recommendations to the County Council. Consult the Planning Board agenda for more details about meeting schedules and public testimony. |
Parks and Recreation of the Future: Voice Your Vision |
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! - Underground Railroad Experience Trail Guided Hikes - Every Saturday, talented "conductors" lead groups on a simulated Underground Railroad experience. The experience covers 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. There is a fee to participate and registration is required.
- Wings of Fancy - Surround yourself with hundreds of brilliant live butterflies from North America, Costa Rica, Africa and Asia soaring among colorful flowers and going about their business of drinking nectar and looking for others of their kind. You will learn about the butterflies' amazing metamorphosis, the important role they play in healthy ecosystems, and how to ensure these beautiful insects thrive in your own garden. Wings of Fancy runs daily from 10am-4pm. Visit Brookside Gardens for additional opportunities to explore the beautiful butterflies through birthday parties, photography and art classes, school groups visits, and after-hours fun.
- Move More Montgomery - Join Parks staff at the Move More Montgomery Festival, Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 12pm-4pm. The field-day type festival is a part of the Move More Montgomery 100 Miler Challenge. It will feature a community walk, sport and fitness demonstrations, active performances and mini-classes, interactive wellness booths and the Fido Fitness Arena. Take a chance and challenge yourself to climb Montgomery Parks 30 foot climbing wall!
- Greenfest 2017 - Celebrate the end of Earth Month with Montgomery Parks at the 3rd Annual Greenfest, Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 11am-4pm. Greenfest will be held at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg this year. The free event focuses on making sure kids have fun while learning about the role they play in protecting our environment and offers ways for residents and businesses to actively help make the County a greener, cleaner place. Come out and learn how to be a better green!
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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.
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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 held 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. Click here for more information on the project and for updates.
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Montgomery Parks staff is inviting the public to a community meeting on the Kensington Historic Buildings, on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. The meeting will be at the Kensington Town Hall, 3710 Mitchell Street, which will start at 7pm. Parks staff will be presenting information on the following projects in the area:
All attendees will hear the annual updates to each project. They will also have a chance to provide staff with ideas to activate the buildings and park spaces. Learn more about the Montgomery Parks Cultural Resources by clicking here.
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Accessibility Improvements Continue |
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.
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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. -
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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. |
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... |
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! |
- 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 June, Wheaton - Click Here!
- Trail Workdays - Click Here!
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Gardening at Nature Centers, Brookside Gardens, etc. - Click Here! -
Summer Camp Counselors, Boyds/Bethesda/Wheaton/Rockville - Click Here!
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