Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board Thursday, May 18. View the full agenda for that meeting here.
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Montgomery Planning Applauds Urban Land Institute's Real Estate Trends Awards Honoring Three Projects in Montgomery County
The Montgomery County Planning Department is pleased to announce that three winners of the 2017 Real Estate Trends Conference Awards from the Urban Land Institute's Washington chapter are located in Montgomery County and reflect the Department's ongoing efforts to improve the quality of development in the county.
On April 25, ULI Washington announced the seven winning awards, which were chosen from 54 entries and 14 finalists. One of the finalists in the Impact category was The Bonifant at Silver Spring, a 149-unit apartment building catering to seniors.
Learn more here. |
Planning Department Celebrates Bike Month with Bike to Work Day Events
The Montgomery County Planning Department is celebrating Bike Month in May by participating in Bike to Work Day on May 19. Planning staff will present preliminary bikeway recommendations for Downtown Silver Spring at the Silver Spring pit stop.
Learn more about Bike to Work Day.
Learn more here.
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American Planning Association Honors Montgomery County Planning Department with Two Prestigious National Awards
The Montgomery County Planning Department has won two prestigious national awards from the American Planning Association. Planning Director Gwen Wright will accept the Planning Landmark Award for the Agricultural Reserve and the Gold National Planning Award for Transportation Planning for the Bicycle Stress Map on May 8 at the association's national convention in New York City.
"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."
Learn more here.
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Author Florence Williams Will Discuss the Healing Powers of Nearby Natural Settings at the Planning Department on May 22
The Montgomery County Planning Department is partnering with Brookside Gardens in Wheaton to present a lecture by Washington, DC-based writer Florence Williams, author of The Nature Fix.
The free event will be held on Monday, May 22 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Planning Department headquarters (8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD). The public is welcome to attend.
Learn more here.
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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.
Its photography and texts are based on the 2015 book, Montgomery Modern: Modern Architecture in Montgomery County, Maryland, 1930-1979, written by Clare Lise Kelly, a preservation planner and an architectural historian with the Planning Department's Historic Preservation Office. Kelly, who also conceived and organized the exhibit, will give a presentation about the county's modern architecture on Thursday, May 4 at 6 p.m. in Meeting Room 1 of the Silver Spring Library.
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! |
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. |
| 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: The public is invited to testify in person, in support of or with recommendations for changes or additions to the 2017 Park Recreation Open Space draft plan. The hearing is on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Planning Board, 8787 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. Parks Staff will be in attendance to listen and answer questions about the draft plan which is a part of the "Parks and Recreation of the Future" campaign. Copies of the Public Hearing Draft document, additional information about the project, schedule and public input is available online. An Executive Summary of the plan will be available on May 19th. *Please visit the Montgomery Planning Board Agenda web page closer to the meeting as dates and times are subject to change.
Please join Montgomery Parks for the bi-annual Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Public Forum on Thursday May 18, 2017. The forum is at the Planning Board Auditorium, 8787 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring starting at 5pm. The forum will provide an opportunity for the public to share their ideas and suggestions on how to improve parks. The evening will include two presentations in advance of the forum:
Presentation on the History of Montgomery Parks by Montgomery Parks Planner Rachel Newhouse Discussion led by former Planning Board Chair Royce Hanson on his new book, "Suburb, Planning Politics and the Public Interest"
For more information or to sign up to speak at the forum, please call (301) 495-2534 or email Katelyn.Bentley@MontgomeryParks.org.
Montgomery Parks staff is inviting the public to a community meeting on the KensingtonHistoric Buildings, on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. The meeting will be at the Kensington Town Hall, 3710 Mitchell Street, which will start at 7 p.m. Parks staff will be presenting information on the following projects in the area:
Kensington Cabin Rehabilitation ProjectWarner Rehabilitation and Reading Garden ProjectNoyes Library Expansion Project
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.
A community meeting to present plans to improve the Shorefield area of Wheaton Regional Park to the community will be on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. It will be at the Brookside Gardens Auditorium from 7pm-9pm. The public will hear plans to improve access in the park. Staff will outline several much-needed maintenance and park improvement projects planned for the Shorefield area and timeline for work. Click here for more information. |
| 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 close 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 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. Sligo Creek Stream Valley Trail: Work is near completion to repair the culvert and stream stabilization on the Sligo Creek Parkway Trail, just south of University Boulevard. Part of the project required the removal of chain link fence on park property. The trail will remain open with minimal interruption during work, but construction vehicles are designated to access through Wheaton Lane.Wheaton Regional Park: Trail work is almost complete around Pine Lake trails, improving access and storm water management. Work required the southern gate to Brookside Gardens to be closed until 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.
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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.
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| 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 June, Wheaton - Click Here!Trail Workdays - Click Here! Gardening at Nature Centers, Brookside Gardens, etc. - Click Here! Summer Camp Counselors, Boyds/Bethesda/Wheaton/Rockville - Click Here! |
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