Montgomery Parks Archives - Page 25 of 51

2023 North Bethesda (White Flint) Biennial Monitoring Report Presented to Montgomery Planning Board

Published October 19, 2023 at 4:52PM

Report updates plan implementation progress and development activity in North Bethesda since 2021

The Montgomery County Planning Department at its October 19 meeting on the 2023 Biennial Monitoring Report for the North Bethesda (White Flint) Sector Plan area. The report is a comprehensive update on development, infrastructure, and staging requirements, which ensure that new infrastructure is implemented with new development. The report also provides recommendations on mobility, infrastructure, and public facilities and amenities necessary to further implementation of sector plan recommendations.

“Synesthesia” Wins Montgomery Parks Contest; Will Be Permanently Installed Next Summer

By MCS Staff

Published October 17, 2023 at 6:42PM

Votes are in! Winner of the Gene Lynch Urban Park art contest chosen! After a months-long selection process and a public vote, Montgomery Parks announced the winner in the Gene Lynch Urban Park art contest is “Synesthesia” by Baltimore artist Becky Borlan. The winning entry was selected among four finalists and will be permanently installed in Gene Lynch Urban Park in the summer of 2024.

“Synesthesia” features highly polished stainless-steel panels that will provide a mirrored surface to reflect the action happening in the park. It will be covered by a layer of laminated glass or acrylic containing graphic film that creates a kaleidoscope of colors. Colorful fins will project out of the main wall to give the piece dimension.

Montgomery Parks to Host Frankenskate Event

By Patrick Herron

Published October 13, 2023 at 4:29PM

Per Montgomery Parks: This Halloween let the ghoul times roll with friends and family at the Ridge Road Recreational Park Inline Rink for Montgomery Parks’ Frankenskate. On Saturday, October 28, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm come as you aren’t in your best Halloween costumes to enjoy this eerie-sistible afternoon full of music, lawn games, and treats – no tricks, we promise!

Bring your own skates and boogie on down to the sounds of the DJ spinning spooky throwbacks. Refuel at the concession area with local food vendors. Take a break from the rink and lounge on the lawn with your best witches.

Montgomery Parks Highlights Making Birdwatching Accessible to All During Birdability Week

By MCS Staff

Published October 12, 2023 at 11:14AM

People of all abilities are invited to participate in the popular hobby, October 15-22, 2023

Montgomery Parks is calling all experienced and novice birders to participate in its Birdability Week events October 15-21. This is the fourth annual Birdability Week, a national event designed to celebrate the beauty of birds and promote the accessibility of the hobby for everyone, including those with disabilities and or health concerns.

Montgomery Parks Cautions Pedestrians and Drivers to Look out For Increased Deer Activity

By MCS Staff

Published October 10, 2023 at 5:57PM

Arrival of fall and the end of daylight-saving time increases chances of deer-related collisions

Montgomery Parks is urging the public, especially drivers, to use caution this fall, as deer activity reaches its peak. Late October through early December constitutes most of the rut, or breeding season, for white-tailed deer in central Maryland. During this time, deer activity is at its highest. Additionally, daylight saving time ends (November 5, 2023) which means commuters are on the roads more often at dawn and dusk.

Garden of Lights Tickets Go On Sale Today

By MCS Staff

Published October 10, 2023 at 10:26AM

Tickets go on sale today for The Garden of Lights display that transforms Brookside Gardens into a magical winter wonderland. The display allows for guests to stroll through the one-half mile, outdoor, walk-through exhibit and enjoy the twinkling lights and glimmering one-of-a-kind displays adorning the flowerbeds and grounds throughout the 50-acre horticultural gem in Wheaton.

Garden of Lights runs from Friday, November 17, 2023, to Sunday, December 31, 2023. It will be open daily, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Garden of Lights will be closed November 20 to 23 and December 24 to 25. Event information:

Montgomery Parks Warns of Snakes, Including Copperheads, During Breeding Season

By MCS Staff

Published October 9, 2023 at 5:33PM | Updated October 16, 2023 at 2:12PM

Montgomery Parks warned of snakes including copperheads, after a resident spotted a copperhead on Lake Needwood trail (east side, north of the boathouse). Their message can be seen below:

“Look out for snakes, including copperheads at this time of year! This is their breeding season and the time they take advantage of heat-gathering hard surfaces to regulate their body temperature.

Montgomery Parks Director, Mike Riley, Announces Retirement after 38 Years of Service

By MCS Staff

Published October 9, 2023 at 10:51AM

The Director of Montgomery Parks, Mike Riley, has announced he will retire at the end of the year after completing 38 years of service with The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). Riley was hired in 1985 as a staff civil engineer charged with designing and building parks and subsequently served as Chief Engineer, Park Development Division Chief, Deputy Director of Administration, and Director of Parks since 2014.

“I truly believe I have held the best job in all of local government,” said Riley. “The Department of Parks attracts highly talented and dedicated staff who provide open space, recreational facilities, trails, and programs that make Montgomery County a great place to live, work, and play. All I have to do for job satisfaction is visit our parks and watch the many ways they are enjoyed by county residents.” During his career, Riley is most proud of his role in:

Tree Falls in Parking Lot By Playground in Cabin John Park; No Injuries

By MCS Staff

Published October 8, 2023 at 6:02PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to Cabin John Regional Park, 7400 Tuckerman Ln. near Westlake Drive, for a tree that fell and damaged some nearby (unoccupied) parked cars in the parking lot by playground around 5pm on Sunday evening.

According to a tweet by MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, “Cabin John Regional Park, 7400 Tuckerman Ln. near Westlake Drive, parking lot by playground, large tree down damaged some nearby parked cars (unoccupied), powerlines damaged/down, no injuries” Featured photo courtesy of Instagram user @jimson92

Halloween Special Events and Programs For All Ages in Montgomery Parks This October

By MCS Staff

Published October 6, 2023 at 4:34PM

Join Montgomery Parks for some not-too-scary Halloween fun this October! From Halloween Eye Spy miniature train rides to Frankenskate roller skate Halloween party, we’re pumpkin spicing things up for Howl-oween. Halloween-themed events in Montgomery Parks include:

Halloween Eye Spy Trains | Saturdays and Sundays during October, starting October 7 | 10 a.m.‒ 6 p.m.: Cabin John Miniature Train, 7410 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda &Wheaton Miniature Train and Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel, 2002 Shorefield Road, Wheaton. Tickets on sale now! Ride through “Trainsylvania” with your Eye Spy card to look for seasonal objects along the tracks during the ride. Purchase tickets for Cabin John train. Purchase tickets for Wheaton train. A small number of tickets will be available for purchase onsite, but ride times will not be guaranteed. $6.

Hybrid Meeting for Planned Skate Park in Clarksburg Takes Place October 14; Four Additional New Skate Parks Planned Across The County

By MCS Staff

Published October 5, 2023 at 4:10PM

New state-of-the-art skate park to be developed at Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park

Montgomery Parks is hosting an in-person and online community meeting to brainstorm design ideas for a new skate park to be built at Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park in Clarksburg. It will be the first of five skate parks built in Montgomery Parks in the coming years. At the meeting, Montgomery Parks planners, and representatives from the private skate park design firm Spohn Ranch will take ideas from the public about the design of the skate park. Spohn Ranch a California-based firm well-known in the skating community for its unique and contemporary skate park designs.