Montgomery Parks Archives - Page 26 of 51

Garden of Lights Display at Brookside Gardens Returns; Tickets Go On Sale October 10th

Published October 3, 2023 at 9:55PM

The Garden of Lights display transforms Brookside Gardens into a magical winter wonderland. 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. Hot chocolate and light snacks will be available for purchase.

Garden of Lights will open on November 17, 2023. The exhibit is open every night through December 31, 2023, except November 20-23 and December 24-25, 2023. Event information:

Montgomery Parks Announces October Nature Center Programs

By Patrick Herron

Published October 3, 2023 at 7:52PM

Per Montgomery Parks: Trick or treat yo’self this Halloween season at Montgomery Parks with many spooky activities as well as other programs celebrating autumn.

October nature center events include:

Man Shot at Wheaton Forest Park; Non-Life Threatening Injuries Sustained

By Patrick Herron

Published September 30, 2023 at 8:54PM

Detectives are on the scene of a shooting that occurred Saturday, September 30 in Wheaton. According to safety reporter Cordell Pugh, a male was shot in the leg around 7:20PM at Wheaton Forest Local Park. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries and Montgomery County Police 4th District Officers applied a tourniquet prior to EMS arrival. Montgomery Parks Police in handling the investigation.

We will post an update if additional information becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Local Artist To Begin Work to Transform 300-year-old historic Linden Oak to Public Art

By MCS Staff

Published September 29, 2023 at 3:15PM

Montgomery Parks’ 300-year-old historic linden oak tree was loved by many. The tree was taken down in July due to declining health, however, the wood salvaged from the tree will carry on its legacy as a park bench. Local chainsaw artist Colin Vale will begin carving the wood from the tree the first week of October. Once complete, the bench will be placed at Ken-Gar Palisades Local Park.

What: Linden Oak tree carving

Halloween Eye Spy Trains Return On Weekends in October

By MCS Staff

Published September 28, 2023 at 5:38PM

On Saturdays & Sundays in October (starting October 7) from 10am – 6pm, Cabin John Miniature Train and Wheaton Miniature Train will take a ride through “Trainslyvania.” Each rider is given an “Eye Spy” card with seasonal items to look for along the tracks during the ride. Great for families of all ages!

Visit ActiveMontgomery.org to purchase tickets and guarantee a seat for your ideal train date and time. Online registration closes the morning of the scheduled ride, so don’t wait, book your online reservation today! For tickets purchased online, any train canceled due to weather or mechanical issues will result in a full refund automatically credited to your method of payment.

29th Annual Harvest Festival Takes Place on Saturday, October 7 in Derwood

By Patrick Herron

Published September 27, 2023 at 2:02PM

Per Montgomery County: The 29th Annual Montgomery Parks Harvest Festival will be a day of fall activities and opportunities to meet farm animals up close. The festival will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood.

The park is located at 18400 Muncaster Road in Derwood. The charge for entry will be $20 per car.

11 Great Places in MoCo for Fall Foliage

By MCS Staff

Published September 26, 2023 at 8:31PM

Fall is here and the colors around us are about to change. Whether it’s the taste of a warm pumpkin-flavored latte, the cool breeze of a crisp fall morning, weekends full of football, or the yellow glow of the sun on a tall birch tree, autumn is often a contender for MoCo residents’ favorite season (however short it may be). Many locals are looking forward to combining all the best parts of fall and enjoying the foliage outdoors, so we’ve put together a small list of 11 where you can enjoy the foliage across the county:

Agricultural Reserve: A drive through the rural areas that the 93,000 acre Agricultural Reserve encompasses, along with the larger rural communities of Damascus and Poolesville and small crossroad communities such as Beallsville, Sunshine and Dickerson, are sure to give you your fill of fall foliage.

Montgomery Parks Announces Free Active Aging Week Activities

By Patrick Herron

Published September 18, 2023 at 4:13PM

Per Montgomery Parks: Montgomery Parks is observing Active Aging Week October 2 – 8, 2023, an international celebration of leading an active lifestyle at any age. Residents 50 and older are invited to participate in free programs and events that support and promote the benefits of leading healthy physical, mental and intellectual lifestyles across the lifespan.

“We are committed to inclusivity and having programs and events that appeal to all members of the community. Active Aging Week is a great opportunity for the 50 and better community to come out and enjoy our parks,” said Jennene Blakely, Montgomery Parks Program Access manager. “We have activities geared toward older adults year-round and hope that people keep an eye out for future programming.”

Montgomery Parks to Host Oktoberfest Ale Trail

By Patrick Herron

Published September 14, 2023 at 2:11PM

Ale Trail Festival at Lake Needwood in September 2022. Photos by Tony Ventouris.

Per Montgomery Parks: Montgomery Parks will host Parks Ale Trail on Sunday, September 24, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. This free, family-friendly festival features a nearly two-mile hike along the trails of Lake Needwood in Rock Creek Regional Park, live music, as well as a beer garden and food from area vendors available for purchase. Kids will have an opportunity to climb trees for a bird’s-eye view of the lake and park, with the support of Montgomery Parks tree climbing crews or enjoy the inflatables. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed.

“We are excited to bring back Parks Ale Trail this year. We are also excited to be featuring five Montgomery County breweries and a winery this year. It promises to be a beautiful day to kick off fall and the Oktoberfest season with a hike, live music, local beer, and food and fun with family and friends,” said Michael Coppersmith, director of Montgomery Parks Activation Program.

Community Invited to Open House at Wheaton Ice Arena September 17

By MCS Staff

Published September 12, 2023 at 2:28PM

Montgomery Parks invites the community to the Wheaton Ice Arena Open House, where guests can learn about and try out ice sports and activities. Stations will be set up to assist members of the community who want to try hockey, speedskating, and figure skating. Guests will be able to meet clubs that operate at Wheaton Ice Arena, get information on group lessons, birthday parties, camps and clinics, and take advantage of sign-up specials on September 17, 2023, from 9 – 11 a.m. The Open House is free, but there is a $4 per person fee to skate (which includes skate rental).

“The Open House is a great opportunity for members of the community to learn about, and experience ice skating and ice sports” said Kimberley Ransfield, Wheaton Ice Arena Facility Manager. “There will be lots of information available for those looking to join a team or club, or who are interested in taking group lessons.”

The Public is Invited to Select Artwork for Park in Downtown Silver Spring

By MCS Staff

Published September 11, 2023 at 6:17PM

Montgomery Parks is inviting the public to vote on a new art installation that will be featured at Gene Lynch Urban Park in downtown Silver Spring. The park was officially opened to the public this summer. In January 2023, a Call for Artists was issued inviting artists to submit their qualifications and examples of their work. A panel shortlisted four artists to prepare site-specific concepts for public art that would complement the park’s green space, trees, and pergola structure. The finalists were selected out of more than 100 submissions and the winner will be selected through public voting.

“Gene Lynch Urban Park is a very high-profile, high-foot traffic area in downtown Silver Spring,” said Montgomery Parks Project Manager Linda Komes. “We had so many great submissions, and it was tough to narrow down the finalists. We hope everyone will take the time to vote for their favorite.” Voting is open to the public. Only one vote per person may be submitted. The design that receives the most votes will be selected as the winner. In the event of a tie, Montgomery Parks’ art selection panel will determine the winning artwork.