Montgomery Parks

Montgomery Parks(opens in a new tab), part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, announces a temporary suspension of the Open Parkways program(opens in a new tab) along Little Falls Parkway(opens in a new tab) between River Road and Arlington Road (1.3 miles), starting June 18, 2022, to study the operational effect of reducing the parkway from four lanes to two.

The study area will be from Dorset Avenue to Arlington Road, with two lanes of Little Falls Parkway remaining open to vehicles 24/7. The study will allow Montgomery Parks and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation to evaluate the effects of a two-lane reduction on traffic operations both for the parkway and neighboring streets.

International Competition honors excellence in communications.

Montgomery Parks won seven Communicator Awards for creative excellence in digital, video, design, and print communications. The 28^th Annual Communicator Awards received more than 4,000 entries and is considered the largest and most competitive international awards program honoring communications professionals.

Montgomery Parks has announced its June line-up of special events. Celebrate Father’s Day, Juneteenth, Pride Month, and more at Montgomery Parks!

June Events at Montgomery Parks Include:

Dancing, biking, reading, and more. Discover these seven events around Montgomery Parks Thursday, June 2, to Sunday, June 5.

Dancing

Season Opening

Paddle, splash, and putt! Three facilities open for the season on Saturday, May 28. Jump and run in the sprays then enjoy a game of miniature golf at South Germantown SplashPark and MiniGolf(opens in a new tab). It will be open Saturday, May 28, to Monday, May 31, 10 am to 6 pm. Enjoy time on the water in a canoe, kayak, rowboat, or pedal boat. Lake Needwood Boats(opens in a new tab) at Rock Creek Regional Park and Black Hill Boat Rentals(opens in a new tab) at Black Hill Regional Park are open Saturday, May 28, to Monday, May 31, 10 am to 6 pm.

Montgomery Parks is partnering with local nonprofit Leveling the Playing Field (LPF) to collect new and gently used sports equipment. The donations are distributed to schools and organizations that provide them to under-resourced youth groups, community programs, and schools in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and the District of Columbia. Equipment can be dropped off at bins located at three Montgomery Parks locations: Olney Manor Recreational Park (near the softball field, next to the indoor swim center), Ridge Road Recreational Park(near the accessible parking spots and baseball field), and Wheaton Regional Park­ – Orebaugh Area (near Wheaton Indoor Tennis).

 “Our parks play a critical role for youth sports, and we are pleased to be able to provide convenient and central locations where people can donate this much-needed equipment,” said Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks. “Getting kids outside and engaging them in physical activity is a key part of our mission, so this is a great program and a natural partnership for Montgomery Parks.” 

South Germantown SplashPark and boat rentals are open for the season starting  Saturday, May 28.  

 Montgomery Parks  announces Memorial Day operating hours, including extending  its  Open Parkways  through Tuesday, May 31, at 7 a.m. for the holiday weekend.    

Laughter

Montgomery Parks teams up with Improbable Comedy for The Mother of All Comedy Shows(opens in a new tab), the first of four comedy nights this spring and summer. The free event is Friday, May 20, 7 pm, at Waters House Special Park in Germantown. Hilarious line-up of women comics. Bring chairs and blankets.

New summer series bringing live performances to parks kicks off May 19.

Montgomery Parks is bringing performing arts outdoors to parks across the county with a new Parks Playhouse(opens in a new tab)and Parks Playhouse Jr. series. (opens in a new tab)Performances take place throughout the summer and will feature live music, comedy, spoken word poetry, theater, and puppet shows. Many of the events feature local artists.