Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board Thursday, October 26, 2017. View the full agenda for that meeting here.
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Montgomery County Planning Department's Third Annual Design Excellence Awards and Jury Citations Announced
The Montgomery County Planning Department announced the winners of its third annual Design Excellence Award competition at the Celebrate Design reception held on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The evening event was co-sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Potomac Valley Chapter and included that organization's awards presentation.
This year's Design Excellence Awards honor both buildings and landscapes in Montgomery County that are currently in use and less than 10 years old. The top honors went to the expansion of the Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, designed by the SmithGroupJJR of Washington, DC, and the day use area of Little Bennett Regional Park in Clarksburg, designed by the Montgomery County Department of Parks. In addition, seven jury citations recognize four buildings and three landscapes for their high-quality designs.
Learn more
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Potomac Valley Chapter of American Institute of Architects Honors Planning Director Gwen Wright with Paul H. Kea Medal
AIA Potomac Valley, a chapter of the American Institute of Architects, presented the 2017 Paul H. Kea Medal to Gwen Wright, Director of the Montgomery County Planning Department on October 19, 2017. Wright received the Kea Medal, AIA Potomac Valley's highest honor, at the chapter's design awards presentation, Celebrate Design, held at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The Planning Department's annual Design Excellence Awards were also announced at this event.
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Planning Department's Retail Trends Study Reveals Balanced Mix of Store Types in Montgomery County
The Montgomery County Planning Department will present the Retail Trends Study to the Planning Board on October 12, 2017. The study was undertaken by the Department's Research and Special Projects Division and led by the Bethesda-based consultant Streetsense to analyze how Montgomery County is dealing with the fundamental changes occurring in the retail environment as large chain stores close and more people shop online. Understanding these shifts is critical for current and future planning work.
Learn more
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Get Your Draw On! Download and Color Bicycle Master Plan Scenes
Since the goal of the Bicycle Master Plan is to create a low-stress bicycle network that will let people of all ages and abilities feel comfortable riding a bike, the book seemed fitting, as coloring has also been shown to be a stress-relieving activity. Each black and white page depicts different types of bikeways, such as neighborhood greenways, separated bike lanes and trails.
Learn more
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Planning Department Now Accepting Presentation Proposals for Makeover Montgomery 4 Conference in May 2018
The Montgomery County Planning Department is seeking presentation proposals for its conference Makeover Montgomery 4: Healthy, Smart, Inclusive and Competitive Communities, co-sponsored with the University of Maryland's National Center for Smart Growth. The call for session proposals is now open and will close on December 15, 2017.
Submit a presentation to the MM4 Conference.
The conference will be held from May 9 through May 11, 2018 in College Park and Silver Spring, MD. It will bring together planners, architects, developers, real estate professionals, economists, social scientists, ecologists and others to discuss cutting-edge ideas for transforming the suburbs.
Learn more here.
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"Yappy Hour" & Pop-Up Dog Park
Thursday, October 26, 5-7 p.m.
Elm Street Urban Park, 4600 Elm Street, Bethesda, MD 20815
Free Bring your furry friends to the first annual "Yappy Hour" & Pop-Up Dog Park in downtown Bethesda! Enjoy live music and Bethesda restaurants featuring food, beer and wine. The pop-up dog park will consist of a small dog area and a large dog enclosure area for well-socialized dogs.
This event is co-sponsored by Montgomery Parks and Bethesda Urban Partnership.
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Bike Share in Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks has teamed up with Zagster, Inc. to bring a bike share program to the Parks. The program has launched in Black Hill Regional Park and Wheaton Regional Park. To participate in the Montgomery Parks bike share program, each rider must download the Zagster app and enroll for free. Riders without a smart phone can text SMS to (202) 999-3924 to learn how to ride by text message. In Montgomery Parks, Zagster bike share rides under two hours are free. After two hours, riders will pay $3 per hour to continue using the bikes. Click here for more information.
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Updated M-NCPPC Parks Rules & Regulations Are In Effect
Updates to the M-NCPPC Rules & Regulations will improve access to parks and amenities and provide greater flexibility in the rules. Learn more here. |
Update: Upper Paint Branch Limited Area Trail Plan
Montgomery Parks Staff is hosting a Public Meeting on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, to review and provide feedback on the preliminary recommendations on a new Natural Surface Trail Plan in the Upper Paint Branch area. Your input will help us make this the best plan possible for the Paint Branch area. Click here for more information. |
Get Up-to-Date Athletic Field Information Use our convenient Rainout Line system to find out if a Montgomery Parks or MCPS athletic field is open, closed or experiencing inclement weather delays.
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| 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 Festivals and Events Page for all the happenings. Don't miss a chance to see what Montgomery Parks has for you! Celebrate Hispanic Heritage month in the Parks! Meadowside Nature Center is offering fun programs in Spanish for children and families. Click here for more information.Underground Railroad Experience Trail Guided Hikes - Enjoy the fall season every Saturday through November with talented "conductors" leading 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. Registration and a fee is required. Pop Up in Montgomery Parks- Montgomery Parks is aiming to attract more people to our parks - particularly our urban parks in the densely populated parts of Montgomery County. So, we are bringing fun and free "Pop Up" programming to select parks all winter, including Movie Night, Cozy Community Day, Rock Wall and our new Pump Track! Check out our upcoming programs taking place this fall. |
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: The Montgomery Planning Board is reviewing several applications to improve wireless telecommunications in the area. Applicants are seeking to install equipment to already existing radio towers and compounds at Wheaton Regional Park, Blair Local Park, and the Sligo Golf Course in the Sligo Creek Stream Valley #3 Area. Staff recommendations on the respective applications will be presented at the Thursday, November 9, 2017 Planning Board Session. Visit the Montgomery Planning Board Agenda web page for further information and updates as the time is subject to change. The public is encouraged to post comments on the Open Town Hall web page. Parks staff will host a Public Meeting on the interim plan to improve Wall Local Park on Monday, November 13, 2017, starting at 6:30 pm. It will be at the Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center. Under the guidance of the current White Flint Sector Plan, Parks staff will present the interim plan as well as review future plans to the park that will feature the realignment of Executive Boulevard and Market Street to allow construction of a new parking garage. Visit the park project page for more information. Parks Staff held a public meeting to present updates on the North Branch Hiker-Biker Trail Project. Parks gave two preferred options to improve the trail and access. Help us select a location for the trail's trailhead and parking lot! Visit our Montgomery Parks Open Town Hall and tell us what you think! |
| Accessibility Improvements Continue Accessibility Improvement work is scheduled at Stratton Local Park, Forest Glen Neighborhood, Black Hill Regional Park Boat House, and Brookside Nature Center. For more information on these and other accessibility projects, please visit: Accessibility Information for Montgomery Parks web page. |
| Park Projects Forest Glen Neighborhood Park work to improve the park features including installation of a new water fountain, better access to parking and storm water management upgrades is in progress. Work will continue into the fall with minimal interruptions expected to park users.Stratton Local Park is closed. 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.UPDATE: Western Grove Urban Park is near completion. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for 10/29/ 2017. Click here for additional information on the project. Olney Square Neighborhood Park will have the asphalt parking lot and other hard surface areas removed this fall. Park users should use caution around work area, south of Gelding Lane, as plans to reforest the area are underway. Playgrounds at John Haines Neighborhood Park and Wheaton-Claridge Local Park are closed as part of the Playground Renovation Program. Work is scheduled is to be complete by Fall 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: Trail improvements on the Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail near Parklawn Local Park continue. The project includes a new connector to the trail, bridge installation, stream sediment control and storm water management when complete.Share the Trail - A section of the Cabin John Trail now allows bikes. Montgomery Parks has recently authorized a section of the trail from the trailhead across Goya Road to the parking area on Seven Locks Road, by the 495 overpass of the Cabin John Trail to be accessible to hikers/walkers and bikers. All trail users should share the trail and always yield to the appropriate trail users. WSSC work to improve stormwater management and sediment control will be starting at this fall on the Northwest Branch Trail SVU#3 area. The project requires heavy excavating equipment to be delivered so workers will need to use the trail to gain access. Park patrons should use caution around designated work areas. For more information on Montgomery Parks Trails, please visit www.MontgomeryTrails.org. |
The 2017 Winter Program GUIDE is coming soon! Keep a look out for the upcoming winter guide! Montgomery Parks' will be offering amazing programs, classes and events great for families, adults, or children, for the winter season. You can browse the eGuide from your computer or cell and register via Active Montgomery.
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| Montgomery Parks Volunteer Opportunities Weed Warrior Workdays, many parks in MoCo - Click Here!Nature Center Opportunities, including upcoming Special Events - Click Here!Park Cleanups - Click Here!Trail Workdays -Click Here!Brookside Gardens Opportunities - Click Here! |
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