Montgomery Parks has announced programming and operating hours for the Thanksgiving holiday. The holiday weekend, November 25 through November 27, is a time when families and friends gather to celebrate, and Montgomery Parks has many offerings that are perfect opportunities to spend time together.
Open Parkways Schedule: The Open Parkways schedule will start on Wednesday, November 23 for the holiday with portions of Sligo Creek Parkway and Beach Drive open to pedestrians and bicyclists for exercise and recreation.
Open to pedestrians and bicyclists (closed to motor vehicles) from Wednesday, November 23, at 9 a.m., to Monday, November 28, at 7 a.m.
- Sligo Creek Parkway
- Old Carroll Avenue to Piney Branch Road (1.1 miles)
- Forest Glen Road to University Boulevard West (1.5 miles)
- Beach Drive from Connecticut Avenue to Knowles Avenue (2.7 miles)
Little Falls Parkway is now a pilot linear park with two of the four lanes along Little Falls Parkway, between Arlington Road and Dorset Avenue, available for recreational use daily.
Fun activities available during the holiday weekend include:
- Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens (closed November 21-24)
- Fall Birding at Black Hill
- Parks, trails, gardens, playgrounds, dog parks, skate parks, outdoor exercise stations, and outdoor tennis/pickleball and basketball courts* are open daily, sunrise to sunset. (*Select outdoor courts are available for rental.)
- The inline hockey rink at Ridge Road Recreational Park and street hockey/futsal rink at Dewey Local Park may be permitted, or are available first come, first served, if not reserved.
- Campfire rings are available for rental at several locations.
- Little Bennett Campground (opens in a new tab)
- Ice Skating at Cabin John Ice Rink or Wheaton Ice Arena
- Brookside Gardens(opens in a new tab) grounds open daily sunrise-sunset, Visitor Center open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Gift Shop open daily 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Conservatory open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed November 24 and 25)
- Josiah Henson Museum and Park(opens in a new tab), Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday 12 to 4 p.m.
Thanksgiving weekend operating hours: The following facilities will be CLOSED on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24, 2022:
- Montgomery Parks Headquarters and Permits Offices
- Montgomery Parks Public Information and Customer Service Office
- Brookside Visitor Center and Conservatory (Gardens remain open)
- Brookside Nature Center
- Cabin John Ice Rink
- Josiah Henson Museum and Park
- Locust Grove Nature Center
- Pauline Bentz Addie Tennis Center
- South Germantown Driving Range
- Wheaton Ice Arena
- Wheaton Indoor Tennis
The following facilities will also be CLOSED on Friday, November 25, 2022:
- Montgomery Parks Headquarters and Permits Offices
- Montgomery Parks Public Information and Customer Service Office
- Black Hill Visitor Center and Nature Programs
- Brookside Visitor Center and Conservatory (Gardens remain open)
- Brookside Nature Center
- Locust Grove Nature Center
Need a jump-start on your weekend planning? Visit the Parks’ Picks blog for a weekly list of fun things to do and see in Montgomery Parks.