Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board Thursday, November 10. View the full agenda for that meeting here. |
Planning Department Announces November 2016 Events
The Montgomery County Planning Department is pleased to announce its November 2016 calendar of events. These meetings offer opportunities for the Planning Department staff to discuss policies and engage with the public. Review the full list of events and ongoing plans and projects below, and go online to www.montgomeryplanning.org for more details. Learn more here. |
Planning Department Co-Sponsors Artomatic 2016 at Park Potomac Development from November 3 through December 9
The Montgomery County Planning Department is one of this year's sponsors of Artomatic, the arts festival being held from Thursday, November 3 through Friday, December 9 at Park Potomac (12435 Park Potomac Avenue, Potomac, MD 20854). The event is known for transforming empty spaces into vibrant displays for discovering new art and artists, and this year's event will be held on the fifth and sixth floors of an office building within the mixed-use Park Potomac development at Montrose Road and Interstate-270. Learn more here. |
Planning Department Will Participate in November 9 Workshop to Provide Information to Religious Institutions about Building in Montgomery County
The Montgomery County Planning Department will participate with several other county agencies in an event entitled "Empowering Places of Worship," which is being organized by the Montgomery County Faith Community Advisory Council. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9 at the North Potomac Community Center (13850 Travilah Road, Rockville, MD), and is intended for faith-based organizations that are interested in expanding or constructing a place of worship in Montgomery County.
|
Montgomery Modern Author Talk Wednesday, November 9, 7pm: Gaithersburg Community Museum
Author Clare Lise Kelly will present mid-century modern architecture in Montgomery County in an illustrated talk based on the award-winning book, Montgomery Modern: Modern Architecture in Montgomery County, Maryland, 1930-1979, published by the Montgomery County Planning Department. Architects can receive 1 LU for this approved AIA program. Books will be available for purchase and signing. The Gaithersburg Community Museum is in the historic Freight House of the B&O Train Station complex, 9 S. Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg. For reservations and details, go to Gaithersburg Community Museum calendar.
|
Planning Department Will Host Public Art and Placemaking Discussion on December 2 |
HPC to Review Permit Request For Seneca Store Rehabilitation Project |
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.
|
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.
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.
|
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: - PEPCO crews will be on the Capital Crescent Trail as they begin a 3-month electric
 infrastructure replacement project. Mobile work zone from River Road to MacArthur Boulevard will start in November that will keep the trail open during construction with signage and flagmen posted during working hours. Bikers and walkers should use caution when traveling through the designated work zone areas. - 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 removed
- 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 for the Bike Share Station
- Repainting 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 on November 17. Written comments may be directed to info@montgomeryparks.org.
- Montgomery Parks presentation to the Planning Board on recommendations to the Outdoor Tennis Court Policy is set for Thursday, November 17, 2016, Time TBD. Time will be set closer to the date of the meeting. Please check the Planning Board Agenda. A copy of the agenda and policy is available for viewing. The public is encouraged to comment on the policy changes by emailing Montgomery Parks at info@MontgomeryParks.org.
|
Public Input Sought For North Branch Hiker-Biker Trail Realignment
Montgomery Park Staff is seeking public comment on a proposed shift in the alignment to the new North Branch Hiker-Biker Trail. This recommended alignment shift would reduce the potential damage to both the stream and the trail during major storms. Visit the New Parks & Projects tab at MontgomeryParks.org to "Tell Us What You Think!". |
 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. |
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 |
 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.
|
 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. -
-
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. -
|
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.
|
The Fall Program GUIDE Is Here and Online! |
- Trail Workdays through December - Click Here!
- Garden of Lights Assistant, Brookside Gardens - Click Here!
- Nocturnal Neighbors, Locust Grove Nature Center - Click Here!
- Weed Warrior Training, Oct. & Nov Dates - Click Here!
- Maryland Emancipation Day at Harper Cabin, Brookside Nature Center - Click Here!
- Day Off of School Cleanups for Students, Nov. 7 & 8 - Click Here!
- Family 5K Forest Fun Walk, Wheaton Regional Park, Nov. 19th - Click Here!
- Winter Solstice Festival, Brookside Nature Center, Dec. 18th - Click Here!
|
|
