Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board Thursday, May 25. View the full agenda for that meeting here. |
Montgomery Planning Applauds Urban Land Institute's Real Estate Trends Awards Honoring Three Projects in Montgomery 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.
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Montgomery County Planning Department Launches 2017 Design Excellence Awards Competition for Public Spaces, and Buildings and Sites, with Call for Entries through July 27
 The Montgomery County Planning Department seeks to recognize exceptional work in architecture, landscape architecture and urban design through its third annual Design Excellence Award competition. This year there will be two Design Excellence Awards, one for buildings and their sites, and one specifically for open spaces and landscapes. Developers, property owners and their design teams are invited to submit completed projects that contribute to improving the quality of physical environments throughout the County. The call for entries opened on Monday, May 15, 2017 and closes on Thursday, July 27, 2017. The selection of two winners will be made by an outside jury of accomplished professionals invited by the Planning Department. |
Author Florence Williams Will Discuss the Healing Powers of Nearby Natural Settings at the Planning Department on May 22
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. |
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.
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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.
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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 date as times are subject to change.
- 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:
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.
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Accessibility Improvements Continue |
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 the Spring 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.
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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. -
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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. |
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.
- 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.
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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... |
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. |
  The 2017 Summer Program GUIDE Is Here and Online! |
- 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!
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Gardening at Nature Centers, Brookside Gardens, etc. - Click Here! -
Summer Camp Counselors, Boyds/Bethesda/Wheaton/Rockville - Click Here!
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