Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board Thursday, January 5. View the full agenda for that meeting here. |
 Planning Board and Department Announce January 2017 Events |
 MLK Day of Service in Montgomery Parks January 14-16, 2017
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 Attend the Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure Meeting for the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan on January 11
The Montgomery County Planning Department will hold a public meeting to review pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure recommendations in the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Room D of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center (4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda, MD). RSVP's are encouraged but not required. Learn more here.
RSVP for the Council member Riemer and Planning Department Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure Meeting on January 11. |
 Planning Board Will Hold a Public Hearing on the Draft White Flint 2 Sector Plan on January 12
The Montgomery County Planning Department will hold a public hearing for the White Flint 2 Sector Plan on Thursday, January 12, 2017 in the auditorium of the Planning Department (8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland). For the specific time, consult the Planning Board agenda 10 days prior to the hearing date. Learn more here. |
 View the Montgomery County Planning Department's Top 10 Videos from 2016
The Montgomery County Planning Department has compiled its top 10 most popular online videos from 2016. The videos include a mix of news content and promotional material meant to engage Montgomery County residents and stakeholders, helping them stay informed and involved in Planning Department projects and plans. View the list |
 Montgomery County Planning Department Celebrates 2016 Accomplishments
The Montgomery County Planning Department presents its 2016 Year in Review. This list represents the most significant accomplishments of the year. "We made great strides in 2016 to improve our communities with new policies, plans, research and special programs," says Planning Director Gwen Wright. "We plan to continue this momentum in 2017 and expand our outreach efforts to engage more County residents and businesses." View the list here. |
Find out about delays, closures and cancellations and other weather alerts
When inclement weather hits, some Montgomery Parks facilities may be closed or on a delayed opening, events and program cancellations may occur, athletic field closures may happen, and there may be other weather alerts that you need to be aware of. Visit the Montgomery Parks Weather Alert page for details to better prepare your day. If you'd like to receive free alerts (in event of a major crisis, emergency, or severe weather event) for Montgomery County, sign up for Alert Montgomery. |
 Garden of Lights, Brookside Gardens' holiday outdoor light exhibit! Open every night through January 1, 2017
Don't miss the chance to step into a magical winter wonderland illuminated with more than one million dazzling colorful lights shaped into hand-crafted, original art forms of flowers, animals and other natural elements.
Afterward, warm up inside the Visitors Center while you sip hot cocoa and listen to one of the nightly musical performances. The night wouldn't be complete without a visit inside the Conservatory to enjoy watching G-Scale model trains wind through a seasonal landscape. Isn't it time you made the Garden of Lights your family's holiday tradition?
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 Buy Your Copy of the Montgomery Modern Book and Places from the Past
Montgomery Modern book - hardback, paperback and ebook
Great gift for anyone interested in mid-century modern design, architecture, or learning more about the county's postwar growth and development.
Places from the Past - hardback and paperback
Have a friend or family member living in one of Montgomery County's historic communities-- or know someone interested in historic architecture? Places from the Past inventories historic sites and districts in the county and chronicles its settlement patterns from the 1700s to the early 20th century.  |
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: -
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 PEPCO crews will be on the Capital Crescent Trail for a 3-month electric infrastructure replacement project. A mobile work zone from River Road to MacArthur Boulevard will take place. The trail will remain open during construction with signage posted and flaggers onsite during working hours. Bikers and walkers should use caution when traveling through the designated work zones. - 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
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Upcoming Community Meetings
Make plans to attend scheduled Community Meetings that are presenting park projects plans for upcoming park renovations and upgrades. These community meetings allow park staff to gain insight on the community thoughts and needs to improve the parks. The public is encouraged to participate and provide input on the upcoming projects: |
 UPDATE: Carroll Ave Bridge Over Sligo Creek Parkway Remains Closed
Maryland State Highway is doing major rehabilitation work of the MD 195 (Carroll Avenue) Bridge over Sligo Creek and Sligo Creek Parkway. The bridge will remain closed and traffic detoured during the one-year project. Work may intermittently close Sligo Creek Parkway. Traffic will be detoured and drivers encouraged to seek alternate routes. Use caution around work areas and continue to share roadways. For more updates... |
  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 |
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 NEW: Olney Square Neighborhood Park - A part of the park located off of Gelding Lane will be closed to the public this winter. Work is scheduled for January 2017 to remove the parking lot and hard surface court. Staff is planning to re-purpose the area and is seeking public input. Share your vision on the future of your community. Do you want a walk-through garden? An outdoor work-out facility? A trail? Or something else? What would you like to see as part of the park renovation? Click here to post a comment and help us make the park better. -
NEW: Long Branch-Wayne Local Park - Montgomery Park Staff is seeking public input to the Preferred Concept Plan for Long Branch-Wayne Local Park. Park staff held several community meetings to discuss the renovations for Long Branch-Wayne Local Park. The Preferred Concept Plan includes the renovation of the playground, improved use of open space and parking. Park staff encourage all meeting attendees and the public to provide feedback on the park renovations online no later than January 20, 2017. Visit the Long Branch-Wayne Local Park Renovation Project Page for additional info. -
 Sligo Creek Stream Valley Trail - Park staff will begin culvert repair work this fall on the Sligo Creek Parkway Trail just south of University Boulevard. Work will include stream stabilization when finished. The trail will remain open with minimal interruption during work, but construction vehicles will be designated to access through Wheaton Lane. Please use caution around work areas. - 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 Programis 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.
- 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.
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Trail Work in Parks - Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail - The trail section on Beach Drive between Franklin Street and the Saul Road Connector is currently closed and inaccessible to the public. The work will require the area to be closed for an extended period of time for trail renovations and realignment. A 0.5mile detour has been measured using Franklin Street to Parkwood Drive connecting back to trail at Saul Road. Click here for more information.
- Parklawn Local Park - Trail improvements will continue through the winter for the Rock Creek Biker-Biker Trail at Parklawn Local Park. The project will include a new connector to the trail, stream sediment control and storm water management.
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 UPDATE: Wheaton Regional Park- Trail work continues around Pine Lake trails to improve access and storm water management. Work will require the southern gate to Brookside Gardens to be closed in December until further notice as a new gate is installed. Watch for detours posted around designated areas as work is scheduled to continue through the winter.
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The Winter Program GUIDE Is Here and Online! |
Watch: Plan-It Montgomery December 2016
In this episode of Plan-It Montgomery, we get an update on the 2016 Subdivision Staging Policy, take a tour of mid-century modern buildings and meet the newest member of the Montgomery County Planning Board. Watch here.
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- Garden of Lights Assistant, Brookside Gardens - Click Here!
- Otus Rockin' New Year Celebration, Meadowside Nature Center, Dec. 30th - Click Here!
- MLK Day of Service, many parks in MoCo, Weekend of Jan. 14-16 - Click Here!
- Program Access Volunteer - Inclusion Support - Click Here!
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