New Dog Park Proposed For Norwood Local Park

New Dog Park Proposed For Norwood Local Park

Montgomery Parks is presenting a proposal today to the Montgomery Planning Board for a new proposed dog park at Norwood Local Park.

Watch the hearing online at https://montgomeryplanningboard.org/meetings/watch-online/

More information available here and in the press release below.

WHEATON, MD – Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will present the proposed dog park location and concept plan to the Montgomery Planning Board on Thursday, May 6, 2021. The time of the presentation will be posted on the Planning Board websitecloser to the date of the presentation. The public is invited to comment or testify at the meeting (which will be held online), in writing or by email. Information about how to testify is available on the Planning Board webpage.

Parks staff will recommend a concept plan for a new dog park at Norwood Local Park in Bethesda. The site was selected following an extensive Site Suitability Study for Dog Parks approved by the Planning Board in 2019, and a project-specific public input period from November 10, 2020, through January 14, 2021. Norwood Local Park was identified as a favorable site for a dog park based on the demonstrated need for dog parks in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase service area of the Montgomery Parks system. Its proximity to downtown Bethesda and densely populated surrounding neighborhoods meets recommendations from the Site Suitability Study. In addition, it is a large park already being used by many dog owners that allows for separation between the dog park, existing park amenities, and residences.

Norwood Local Park is a 17.5-acre park located in Bethesda with a community activity building, athletic fields, open lawn areas, a basketball court, two playgrounds, an open-area amphitheater and tennis courts.

“Dog parks are one of the most needed facilities in Montgomery County’s park system, particularly in areas of high population density,” said Mike Riley, Director of Montgomery Parks. “Norwood Local Park is well-suited for a dog park based on its location in a thriving community that serves many people, including many dog owners who use the park frequently.”

The proposed dog park will be slightly less than half an acre in size and centrally located within the park. It will provide a designated fenced area for dog exercise with separated large and small dog areas, and may include a shade structure, seating, and a water source for dogs.

If the proposed dog park location and concept plan is approved by the Planning Board, parks staff will begin developing the dog park facility plan, with construction anticipated to start in summer 2022.

About The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Montgomery Parks 
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 424 parks. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. www.MontgomeryParks.org(opens in a new tab)

Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or [email protected](opens in a new tab) to request a disability modification. Visit www.MontgomeryParks.org/access(opens in a new tab) for more information.