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.
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.
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 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.
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:
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
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.