Montgomery County Executive Elrich to Help Dedicate New Glenmont Forest ‘Green Streets’ Project at Community Block Party on Sunday, July 10

Per Montgomery County:
For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 7, 2022
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will join the Glenmont Forest Neighbors Civic Association (GFNCA), the Grandview Circle of Opportunities, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Impact Silver Spring and other organizations and residents to dedicate the Glenmont Forest Community’s new “Green Streets” project and celebrate the return of the Glenmont Forest Community Block Party from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 10.

The DEP Green Streets project was completed in June after a year of construction. The Glenmont Forest and Wheaton Hills Green Streets project includes 53 small-scale projects that include tree boxes, rain gardens and other types of landscaping designed to filter or infiltrate stormwater runoff. Unique to the project, will be interactive signage that includes an educational challenge throughout the community.

“I am honored to take part in the dedication of this new Green Streets project in the Glenmont Forest and Wheaton Hills communities,” said County Executive Elrich. “This project is proof that communities working with the government can achieve results. The people of this community came to the County asking for rain gardens and tree boxes to add natural beauty to the streets and capture stormwater. We listened, took action, and today we have a neighborhood project that reduces pollution and erosion and beautifies the area. Great work all around!”

The community was built in the 1940’s and 50’s before advances were developed in modern stormwater management. As a part of the County’s effort to protect waters, the Glenmont Forest and Wheaton Hills neighborhood was selected for a Green Streets project to help reduce stormwater pollution flowing into nearby Joseph’s Branch, a tributary of Rock Creek.

The Glenmont Forest Community Block Party will also unveil the community’s new playground, pavilion and other new additions to the neighborhood.

GFNCA block parties celebrate the community’s diversity, local arts and the environment. The annual community block party has not been held in the previous two years due to the COVID-19 health crisis. All current health regulations will be observed at this year’s block party.

This year’s party with have three special highlights:

• Dedication of the completed DEP Green Streets project and Clean Water Montgomery campaign launch with an opportunity for residents to take a self-guided tour.
• Creation of the Gathering Tree Public Art project by local artists Sandra Perez-Ramos and Stuart Diekmeyer. The project is funded by a grant from Maryland State Arts Council.
• Announcement of the new grant-funded community gardens with Impact Silver Spring.

The block party will feature local vendors; displays of nonprofits; artisans; informational booths from local, State and Federal officials; project grant funders; County departments; and lively entertainment. There will be games, fun and family activities including moon bounces.

The event will take place rain or shine.

For more information on the Glenmont Forest Green Streets project, visit  https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/water/restoration/glenmont-forest.html.

For information on the block party, visit https://gfnca.org.