Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board Thursday, October 20. View the full agenda for that meeting here.
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Working Draft of Rock Spring Master Plan Presented to the County Planning Board on October 20
The Montgomery County Planning Department has posted the Rock Spring Master Plan Working Draft on its website for public review before planners present the draft to the Planning Board on Thursday, October 20. Learn more about the Rock Spring Master Plan.
View the working draft of the Rock Spring Master Plan.
This Plan envisions the 535-acre Rock Spring Master Plan area, now mostly used as an office park, as an employment center that could offer new housing and retail. New development and redevelopment are envisioned along a proposed central circulation spine, which could provide a future transit-way for buses and safe routes for pedestrians, bicyclists and cars.
Learn more here. |
Montgomery Parks' Maryland Emancipation Day Celebrations, November 4-6
Join us the weekend of November 4 - 6 to celebrate Maryland Emancipation Day at historic sites throughout the county! Hike on the Underground Railroad, tour 1800s log cabins, visit a museum dedicated to the legacy of slavery, enjoy living history demonstrations and eat great food! Park events on Saturday and Sunday are FREE, unless otherwise noted, and open to the public.
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Community Meeting for MARC Rail Communities Plan Has Been Postponed from October 27 to Later This Fall
The Montgomery County Planning Department has postponed its October 27 community meeting to allow time to gather more information from consultants studying the Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) station areas in Germantown and Boyds.
The public discussion, which will be rescheduled to a date in November or December, will focus on road "diets" in Germantown and a possible overpass or underpass in Boyds. The meeting will be held at the Upcounty Regional Services Center (12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown, MD 20874).
The Master Plan staff will offer recommendations for parking, roads and land use within the station areas that take into account citizen input and results of the traffic studies. Learn about the MARC Rail Communities Plan and stay informed about the rescheduled meeting.
Learn more here.
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Deadline Extended: Public Invited to Enter Planning Department's Bicycle Master Plan Photo Contest until October 31
The Montgomery County Planning Department invites the public to submit photos for its Bicycle Master Plan Photo Contest, until October 31 at 4 p.m. The winning images will become part of the master plan document and other publications produced by the Planning Department. Submit your photo today!
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Planning Board Will Hold Public Hearing On Proposed Recreation Guidelines for Private Development on November 17
The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is updating the 1992 Recreation Guidelines in response to the county's changing demographics and increasingly dense, urban infill and high-rise development. A much broader list of acceptable recreation facilities, such as fitness rooms, roof decks and pocket parks, as well as greater connectivity to existing recreational facilities are being proposed as part of the new standards that developers will follow in building private residential projects.
On September 29, 2016, the Montgomery County Planning Board approved the 2016 Recreation Guidelines Working Draft for presentation as the Public Hearing Draft.
View the Recreation Guidelines Public Hearing Draft.
The Board will hold the public hearing for the draft on November 17, 2016 and welcomes developers, design professionals and citizens to testify. This hearing will offer an opportunity for the Planning Board to hear from residents and professionals about the recreational amenities recommended for private residential development. Go online to sign up and testify.
Learn more here.
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Work on the Capital Crescent Trail
Several projects are scheduled to begin on the Capital Crescent Trail this fall. Trail users should be cautious around work areas and watch for partial trail closures as park staff begin work to improve trail use: Tree removal- Ash tree removal is scheduled as part of the Integrated Pest Management Program to proactively address the Emerald Ash Borer. Watch for flaggers as the work will require portions of the trail to be temporarily closed while trees are removedBike 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 for the Bike Share StationRepainting of center line and stencils- Please watch for mobile work areas as staff will move through the trail repainting center line and stencils for better viewing |
Upcoming Community Meetings
Community meetings to present projects and plans for upcoming park renovations and upgrades are scheduled for this fall season. The community is encouraged to attend these meetings and provide input on the upcoming projects: Montgomery Parks Staff will hold a Community Meeting on recommendations to the Outdoor Tennis Court Use Policy, starting at 7pm on Thursday, November 10, 2017. Meeting will be held at the Cabin John Ice Rink. Public comments are welcomed and will be included in staff recommendations that will be presented to the Planning Board at a later date. Written comments may be directed to info@montgomeryparks.org.Montgomery Parks will schedule a presentation on recommendations to the Outdoor Tennis Court Policy to the Planning Board this fall. The public is encouraged to comment on the policy changes by emailing Montgomery Parks at info@MontgomeryParks.org. A copy of the agenda and policy is available for viewing. Dates and times will be announced once confirmed. |
Fall Festivals and Special Events
If you are looking for weekend excitement, plan to attend one of Montgomery Parks many festivals and events right in your back yard! Looking For Something Not-So-Spooky, Or Even Something Scary, This Halloween?
Montgomery Parks is offering unique and fun activities for the Halloween season. To learn more visit the Halloween events page at montgomeryparks.org."Eye Spy" Halloween Train at Cabin John Regional Park
Now running every Saturday and Sunday through October 30th from 11a-6p $6 per person. Fridays beginning October 14th through October 28th from 1p-6p $6 per person.
The Cabin John "Eye Spy" Halloween Train was designed to delight younger kids (8 years and under) -- it's all about fun, not fright! Each child will receive an Eye Spy card before boarding the train. As the train winds its way through the woods of Cabin John Regional Park, kids can look around to find Halloween friends hiding there, and mark them off their Eye Spy card. Take photos with cardboard cutouts for friends and enjoy family-friendly movies in the party room. We'll also show free Halloween movies outside the train station. Costumes are encouraged!Haunted Train and Creepy Carousel at Wheaton Regional Park
Now running every Saturday and Sunday through October 30th from 6p-9:30p $6 per person.
Fridays beginning October 14th through October 28th from 6p-9:30p $6 per person.
The Wheaton Haunted Train and Creepy Carousel each feature very frightening sights, sounds and creatures. This event is not suitable for children younger than 8 years old-we aim to scare! We'll show scary Halloween movies and have light refreshments for sale. Costumes are encouraged.Pumpkin Panache Family Festival at Brookside Gardens
Friday, October 28 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. $15 per child. Parents are free
Gather the family together for a fun evening! Children can dress in their favorite costume, participate in a garden costume parade, paint a pumpkin, try a pumpkin treat, and top the evening off listening to award winning storyteller Gary Lloyd present "Pumpkin Tales for the Young telling tales more funny than scary.Owl-o-ween Campfire at Meadowside Nature Center
Friday, October 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. $7 per person (adults and children).
Join us around the campfire for owl facts, folklore and fun and meet our mascot Otus the Owl. We'll have marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate to make s'mores. Wear a costume if you want! |
Woodlawn Visitor Center Now Open
Make plans to visit and explore the county's newest historical exhibit that echoes the past and tells the story of a bustling farm, its community, and those who made a bold bid for freedom on the Underground Railroad. The Woodlawn Visitor Center, is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm through November. The trail and grounds are open year-round, sunrise to sunset. |
Elevated Levels of Microcystin at Lake Frank and Lake Needwood
Lake Needwood and Lake Frank in Rock Creek Regional Park are being monitored for elevated levels of microcystin, a blue-green algae that can be harmful to people and their pets. Visitors, particularly dog owners, are urged to use caution in and around the lakes. More information is available here. |
Emerald Ash Borer in Montgomery Parks
Emerald Ash Borer in Montgomery Parks A non-native invasive beetle in Montgomery County is wreaking havoc on ash trees, many which are located in stream valleys on parkland. Learn more on the department's plan to address the issue here. |
Accessibility Improvements Continue
Accessibility Improvements have been completed at Clear Spring Local Park, Ken- Gar Local Park, and Ayrlawn Local Park. Work continues at Meadowside Nature Center- Raptor Walkway Exhibit. Work is scheduled to begin at Aberdeen Local Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreational Park and Stratton Local Park this fall. For more information on these and other accessibility projects please visit: Accessibility Information for Montgomery Parks webpage. |
Wheaton Regional Park Master Plan Update
Attention Wheaton Regional Park fans! Montgomery Parks is in the process of updating the Master Plan for this park. Be sure to tell us what you think! Public input is encouraged throughout the planning process.
Learn More. |
| Park Projects: NOTICE: Wheaton- Claridge Local Park will be closing as the entire park undergoes renovations. The project is scheduled to be completed by the winter of 2017. The Park Activity Building will also get a makeover for improved access. 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, formerly the Chevy Chase Open Space Urban Park is closed for renovations. 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. Quince Orchard Valley Neighborhood Park: WSSC work, as part of the WSSC Sewer Repair, Replacement and Rehabilitation Program is in progress. Additional work will include the removal of the tennis court and hard surface path to allow reforestation. Click here for more information. Kemp Mill Urban Park: The park is 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. UPDATE: 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 summer 2016. Click here for more information. |
| Trail Work in Parks Rock Creek Hiker - Biker Trail - The trail section on Beach Drive between Franklin Street and the Saul Road Connector will be closed and inaccessible to the public, on or around mid-September for an extended period of time for trail renovations and realignment. A 0.5 mile detour has been measured using Franklin Street to Parkwood Drive connecting back to trail at Saul Road. Click here for more information. Work to improve Sligo Creek SVU#3 Trail at Forest Glen Road is almost complete. The project included intersection modifications, trail improvements and storm water management. The trail remained open during the project. Parklawn Local Park - Trail improvements to the Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail at Parklawn Local Park is scheduled to continue through the summer as a new connector to the trail is installed.Wheaton Regional Park - Trail work around Pine Lake to improve access and storm water management is underway. Watch for detours posted around designated work areas. Rock Creek Hiker - Biker Trail work is underway to coordinate the removal of high risk trees and limbs including Emerald Ash Borer infested trees along the Rock Creek Hiker- Biker Trails on Beach Drive. For more information on tree inspection and maintenance, click here. For more information on Montgomery Parks Trails please visit www.MontgomeryTrails.org. |
The Fall 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.
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Montgomery Parks Volunteer Opportunities Eye Spy Train at Cabin John - Click Here!Haunted Train at Wheaton - Click Here!Trail Workdays through December - Click Here!Garden of Lights Assistant, Brookside Gardens - Click Here!Nocturnal Neighbors, Locust Grove Nature Center - Click Here!Owl-O-Ween Campfire, Meadowside Nature Center - Click Here!Weed Warrior Training, Oct. & Nov Dates - Click Here!Maryland Emancipation Day at Harper Cabin, Brookside Nature Center - Click Here!
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