Dewey Dog Park at 11720 Dewey Road in Silver Spring will be closed from Monday, March 21 until Friday, March 25 for renovations, according to Montgomery Parks.
Click here to see a full list of Montgomery County dog parks.
Dewey Local Park reopened after major renovations in October. Details below:
The renovations include a 22,000 square-foot lighted dog park with a separate area for small dogs and a street hockey/futsal facility which was developed in partnership with the Washington Capitals. The rink at Dewey Local Park is the second one of its kind; another one is available at Ridge Road Local Park.
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, has just completed a major renovation at Dewey Local Park. The 14.5-acre park located in Silver Springhas been updated to include many new amenities such as a dog park, street hockey/futsal court, and new playground. The park was last updated in 1990.
“This much-anticipated park renovation delivers new amenities the community has been requesting,” said Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks. “An outdoor gym, dog park, and public art among other new features are certain to be a big hit with park users.”
New Park Amenities:
The renovated park features:
- A 22,000 square-foot, lighted dog park with separate areas for small dogs
- A new multi-age themed playground with a perimeter trike track
- A 2,400 square-foot outdoor gym
- Renovation of 1,400 linear feet of the Rock Creek trail
- Public art murals
- Stormwater management and beautiful landscaping
An important addition to the park is the new street hockey/futsal facility which was developed in partnership with the Washington Capitals. The rink at Dewey Local Park is the second one of its kind; another one is available at Ridge Road Local Park.
“The Washington Capitals are excited to partner with Montgomery Parks to help include a street hockey (and futsal court) as part of this renovation. The new outdoor facility is part of our commitment to provide access to the sport to everyone in our market, and it will offer so many residents an opportunity to play hockey,” said Peter Robinson, Director, Youth Hockey Development for the Washington Capitals.
Both street hockey / futsal rinks are available to permit for practices only beginning October 10th through the end of the month, when permit season ends. From November 1, 2020 – March 31, 2020, the rinks are available on a first come, first serve use.
The soccer field in the park, which is currently open for play, will be renovated at the end of the season in late fall and then re-open for play at the beginning of the spring 2021 season on March 15.
Per Montgomery Parks:
January 19, 2022
The plan will help guide future development and management of the park system.
WHEATON, Md. –Montgomery Parks(opens in a new tab), part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, has released its draft of the 2022 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Policy Plan(opens in a new tab). The plan features various recommendations that include how parks can support physical activity, social connections, civic engagement, and environmental stewardship. Montgomery Parks is engaging the public to review the draft plan(opens in a new tab) and provide input about which recommendations are most important to them. The survey for the public is available online through February 6, 2022, at Montgomery Parks Open Town Hall site(opens in a new tab).
Shaped by extensive public input, which was collected through online, in-person, and mailed surveys, the PROS Plan, which is updated every five years, guides the long-term, future development, and management of the park system. The plan focuses on providing equitable, active, central community spaces that meet the public’s recreational needs and protect the natural and cultural resources of parkland as well as land management policies for future generations.
Opportunities for public comment and input on the draft PROS plan will continue in the first half of 2022. The final plan will be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources by July 1, 2022.
About The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 421 parks. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. www.MontgomeryParks.org(opens in a new tab).
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581(Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724or [email protected](opens in a new tab) to request a disability modification. Visit www.MontgomeryParks.org/access(opens in a new tab) for more information.
###
SILVER SPRING, MD –Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, announces the best sledding hills in parks for kids and adults to enjoy. You’re never too old for sledding!
Approved locations for sledding in Montgomery Parks include:
- Avenel Local Park
- Ayrlawn Local Park
- Damascus Recreational Park (hillside near tennis court parking lot on Kings Valley Road)
- Hillmead Neighborhood Park
- Long Branch-Wayne Local Park (off of University Blvd.)
- Norwood Local Park
- Pilgrim Hills Local Park
- South Germantown Recreational Park (hill behind Field F and hillside between Mooseum and TennisPlex)
- Stratton Local Park
- Tilden Woods Local Park
- Woodacres Local Park
“We want residents to enjoy our parks year-round, in all weather, and snow provides another opportunity for fun outdoor recreation,” said Mike Riley, Director of Montgomery Parks. “We encourage everyone to be safe and use caution while sledding because snow can hide rocks, limbs, and other hazards.”
About The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Montgomery Parks Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 421 parks. Montgomery Parks is a department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. www.MontgomeryParks.
WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks is extending the hours for its open parkways initiative during the upcoming holiday weeks. As a cost-savings measure, the parkways will open one day earlier to prevent employees from working during holiday hours.
Open Parkways Schedule for Weeks of December 20 and 27, 2021
Open to pedestrians and cyclists from Thursday, December 23, 2021, at 9 a.m. through Sunday, December 26, 2021, at 4 p.m., and Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 9 a.m.– Sunday, January 2, 2022, at 4 p.m.:
- Sligo Creek Parkway:
- Old Carroll Avenue to Piney Branch Road (1.1 miles)
- Forest Glen Road to University Boulevard West (1.5 miles)
- Beach Drive from Connecticut Avenue to Knowles Avenue (2.9 miles)
Open to pedestrians and cyclists from Thursday, December 23, 2021, at 7 a.m. through Sunday, December 26, 2021, at 4 p.m., and Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 7 a.m. through Sunday, January 2, 2022, at 4 p.m.:
- Little Falls Parkway from River Road to Arlington Road (1 mile)
Holiday operating hours:
Brookside Gardens Garden of Lights:
- Open through January 2, 2022, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. (Advance timed-entry tickets required, available for purchase here(opens in a new tab))
- Closed December 24 – 25, 2021
Nature Centers:
- Meadowside Nature Center – closed for renovation work
- Brookside Nature Center – closed for renovation work
- Locust Grove Nature Center – closed December 24, 2021 – January 1, 2022
- Black Hill Visitor Center – closed December 24, 25, 31, 2021 and January 1, 2022
Friday, December 24, 2021
- Montgomery Parks’ Headquarters, Customer Service, and Permit Offices (Closed)
- Brookside Gardens Visitors Center (Closed)
- Closing at 3 p.m.: Cabin John Ice Rink, Wheaton Ice Arena, Pauline Bentz Addie Tennis Center, Wheaton Indoor Tennis, Wheaton Sports Pavilion and South Germanton Driving Range
Saturday, December 25, 2021
- Montgomery Parks’ Headquarters, Customer Service, and Permit Offices (Closed)
- Brookside Gardens Visitor Center (Closed)
- Cabin John Ice Rink, Wheaton Ice Arena, Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center, Wheaton Indoor Tennis, Wheaton Sports Pavilion, South Germantown Driving Range (Closed)
Friday, December 31, 2021
- Montgomery Parks’ Headquarters, Customer Service, and Permit Offices (Closed)
- Closing at 3 p.m.: Cabin John Ice Rink, Wheaton Ice Arena, Pauline Bentz Addie Tennis
Center, Wheaton Indoor Tennis, Wheaton Sports Pavilion, and South Germantown Driving Range
Saturday, January 1, 2022
- Montgomery Parks’ Headquarters, Customer Service, and Permit Offices (Closed)
- South Germantown Driving Range (Closed)
- Opening at 12 p.m.: Cabin John Ice Rink, Wheaton Ice Arena, Pauline Bentz Addie Tennis Center, Wheaton Indoor Tennis, Wheaton Sports Pavilion
Strathmore Local Park is located at the terminus of Beaverwood Lane in Aspen Hill, MD. The park serves adjacent neighborhoods and is also adjacent to Strathmore Elementary School and Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Per Montgomery Parks:
You can provide feedback on plans to approve the park, here.
The existing park amenities include a playground, two tennis courts, a picnic shelter, and a rectangular field for soccer/football, etc. The existing park does not have on-site parking. Montgomery Parks is now working to make improvements at Strathmore Local Park to potentially include:
- The replacement of the aging playground
- Adding on-site parking and a loop path
- Adding new gathering spaces/picnic areas
- Renovations to the field area, and
- Renovations or conversions of the existing tennis courts.
Your feedback is important to us. Parks staff will use your input to inform the continued design of the park. Comments are being accepted until December 31, 2021.
Concept A
Montgomery Parks has announced programming and special event highlights for the month of November. Read more about Maryland Emancipation Days, Campfire Nights, Fun Runs, and more, below.
Evening Embers Campfire Nights (opens in a new tab) – Multiple Days/Locations
Embrace the cold-weather season and cozy up in a comfy Adirondack chair around the warm embers of a campfire. Each campfire ring rental seats up to six people. Advanced registration is required(opens in a new tab). $35 per campfire ring rental.
Adult Nights – includes free s’mores kits for each guest
- November 3: Germantown Town Center Urban Park, 6 to 8 p.m.
- November 9: Western Grove Urban Park, 6 to 8 p.m.
Family Nights – includes an outdoor movie
- November 6: Cloverly Local Park, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- November 13: Aberdeen Local Park, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Maryland Emancipation Days – Multiple Days/Locations
On November 1, 1864, Maryland adopted a new constitution which abolished slavery in the state. Join us for special programs commemorating this important day in history.
The event features greetings from Reverend Josiah Henson reenactor Kelvin Fowler; a tour of our sister site, Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site in Ontario, Canada; and the reading of the 1864 amendment to the state constitution. Free, Registration Requested(opens in a new tab).
Enjoy live blues music with Brian Cunningham Project, guided tours, living history and cooking demonstrations, hands-on archaeology activities, and old-fashioned games at Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park. Free, no registration is required.
Come explore the newly opened Josiah Henson Museum and Park and take a free self- guided tour between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Free, no registration is required.
- Maryland Emancipation Day Hike(opens in a new tab) – November 6
Join us for a guided hike along the Underground Railroad Experience Trail at Woodlawn Cultural Park. Free admission to Woodlawn Museum included. Hikes last approximately 2.5 hours. Intended for ages 7 and up. $8 per person. Registration required.(opens in a new tab)
Maydale Nature Classroom Community Celebration(opens in a new tab) – November 6
Join us for a day of celebration for Maydale Nature Classroom, as we highlight the new classroom and upgraded facilities. The free family-friendly event will include fall crafts, creek critter show-and-tell, and s’mores. Free, no registration required.
Winter Craft and Sip(opens in a new tab) – November 16
Enjoy a cozy evening indoors at the Meadowbrook Local Park Activity Building creating a festive personalized ribbon wreath. Reservations include all craft materials and instructions, assorted desserts, and a glass of wine for each participant. All guests must be 21 years of age or older. Additional dates and locations in December. $60 per table, Reservations required.(opens in a new tab)
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens(opens in a new tab) – Opens November 19
For the 23rd year, Brookside Gardens has transformed into a magical winter wonderland. Enjoy glimmering displays of more than one million LED lights as you stroll through the 50 acres in Wheaton. $10 per person. Advanced tickets are required(opens in a new tab).
Gobbler Fun Run and Walk(opens in a new tab) – November 20
Make room for your Thanksgiving feast by burning off some pre-holiday calories on the three-mile loop at Wheaton Regional Park. Shepherd’s Table(opens in a new tab) will have a table onsite to collect donations of nonperishable food items for those in need this holiday season. Free, registration recommended,(opens in a new tab) but not required.
Visit MontgomeryParks.org(opens in a new tab) for a complete list of special events and programming.
It finally feels like fall and with the peak of fall foliage coming at the end of October/beginning of November this year, Montgomery Parks has released a fun list of places to check out for signs of autumn.
Maydale Conservation Park
In the eastern part of Montgomery County, there are hints of fall. Dabs of yellow are beginning to show on trees around the pond at Maydale Conservation Park.
Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park
Crunch your way along Sligo Creek Trail. The paved path is covered in brown and yellow leaves which collect and disperse with the wind. The canopy is punctuated with hints of yellow and orange.
Agricultural History Farm Park
You can find fall changes beyond foliage at Agricultural History Farm Park. The fields are golden brown and ready for harvest. Dahlias are in bloom next door in the Montgomery County Master Naturalists’ gardens. And, there are glints of red on a maple tree.
Rock Creek Regional Park
Lake Bernard Frank at Rock Creek Regional Park is a beautiful spot for quiet and solitude right now. Pack in a chair or find a log and take in the crisp air and seasonal scenery. Yellow leaves are saturated at sunset.
Cabin John Regional Park
Look high and low on the trails near Locust Grove Nature Center at Cabin John Regional Park for autumn color.
You can follow fall changes across Maryland with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fall Foliage Report. And, the Washington Post reports we are only days away from more vibrant.
Courtesy or Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks invites the community to a celebration at the newly completed Josiah Henson Museum and Park on Sunday, September 12, 2021, from 12 – 4 p.m.
The celebration is free and open to the public and will feature family-friendly events, period reenactments, and musical performances.
WHAT: Join Montgomery Parks for a community celebration as we honor International Underground Railroad Monthat the site where legendary abolitionist Josiah Henson was once enslaved. Henson’s inspirational life story includes escaping to Canada to ensure his own freedom and then leading 118 people from enslavement to freedom as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. International Underground Railroad Month aims to raise awareness of the conductors and heroes who were committed to freedom and peace.
WHEN: Sunday, September 12, 2021, from 12 – 4 p.m.
WHERE: Josiah Henson Museum & Park (11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda. MD)
Note: Parking is available only at Wall Park/Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center, located 1.5 blocks away at 5900 Executive Boulevard, North Bethesda.Accessible parking is at Josiah Henson Museum and Park but limited. Free shuttle service will be provided to and from the museum and park.
WHY: Enjoy free admission to the museum as well as musical performances and re-enactments, and a chance to create a peace pinwheel.
Montgomery Parks will host a virtual meeting on September 9, in English with Spanish interpretation, to present draft recommendations to update the master plan for Wheaton Regional Park.
The plan is aimed at modernizing the 60-year-old park. For the past two years, parks staff have been collecting ideas and comments for renovating the park from park users, residents, and other stakeholders to ensure the master plans meets the needs of the county’s growing, diverse population.
Wheaton Regional Park Master Plan Draft Recommendations Community Meeting: September 9, 2021, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Watch and submit questions by joining the community meeting online via Zoom or listen only via phone by calling: + 301 715 8592. Webinar ID: 862 1588 9652
The meeting will be in English with live Spanish interpretation available.
Community feedback for the master plan recommendations was gathered through in-person and virtual meetings, a working group of community representatives, more than 1,600 online surveys, and 300 in-person surveys. Public comments highlighted several factors, with a majority centered around updating or adding amenities to the park, and improving bicycle, pedestrian, and transit access to the park as well as wayfinding to, from, and within the park.
Highlights of the draft recommendations that will be presented include:
Making the Shorefield Area more attractive to older children, teens, and young adults, by renovating the Adventure Playground, and adding basketball courts, soccer courts, a mountain bike skills area, and a pump track.
Activating the Rubini Athletic Complex, by adding two soccer fields and replacing three diamond athletic fields with an adventure sports facility that likely will include a large regional skate park as well as a bouldering/climbing wall, a parkour/obstacle course, a bicycle skills area and a splash pad.
Creating a parkwide comprehensive signage plan (including “You Are Here” signs to help orient park users), numerous new trails and trail upgrades, and many improvements to make it easier to get to the park by transit, biking and walking.
Identifying permanent locations for food trucks and associated amenities in several park areas.
Following the meeting, parks staff will use the community feedback to finalize the draft park master plan, which will be presented to the Montgomery County Planning Board later this fall.
About Wheaton Regional Park
Wheaton Regional Park was established in the 1960s and its most recent master plan was completed in 1987. In 1960, Montgomery County’s population was 327,000. Today the county is home to over one million residents.
Wheaton Regional Park is also the oldest regional park in the park system and the largest park in the southern region of the county.
The park features a variety of facilities and recreational opportunities, including:
Brookside Gardens and Brookside Nature Center,
Wheaton Ice Rink, Wheaton Sports Pavilion, F. Frank Rubini Athletic Complex, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, the Wheaton miniature train & historic carousel, Wheaton Stables, Pine Lake, picnic shelters, a large adventure playground, and dog park, a 200+ acre forest with natural surface trails for hiking and horseback riding, and soon bicycling.
Montgomery Parks announces Labor Day operating hours, including extending its Open Parkways through Tuesday, September 7, at 7 a.m., for the holiday weekend.
Open Parkways Schedule
Portions of Sligo Creek Parkway, Beach Drive, and Little Falls Parkway will be open to pedestrians and bicyclists for exercise and recreation.
Open to pedestrians and bicyclists (closed to motor vehicles), from Friday, September 3, at 9 a.m., to Tuesday, September 7, at 7 a.m.
- Sligo Creek Parkway
- Old Carroll Avenue to Piney Branch Road (1.1 miles)
- Forest Glen Road to University Boulevard West (1.5 miles)
- Beach Drive from Connecticut Avenue to Knowles Avenue (2.7 miles)
Open to pedestrians and bicyclists (closed to motor vehicles), from Saturday, September 4, at 7 a.m., to Tuesday, September 7, at 7 a.m.
- Little Falls Parkway from River Road to Arlington Road (1 mile)
Labor Day Marks the Final Weekend to Enjoy Seasonal Amenities
- South Germantown SplashPark & Mini-Golf(opens in a new tab) is open daily through Monday, September 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Lake Needwood Boat rentals are open Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6 from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m.
- Black Hills Boat Rentals are open Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additional facilities open during the holiday weekend include:
- Parks(opens in a new tab), trails,(opens in a new tab) gardens,(opens in a new tab) playgrounds(opens in a new tab), dog parks(opens in a new tab), skate parks(opens in a new tab), outdoor exercise stations(opens in a new tab), and outdoor tennis/pickleball and basketball courts(opens in a new tab)* open daily sunrise to sunset. (*Select outdoor courts are available for rental.)
- in-line hockey rink at Ridge Road Recreational Park(opens in a new tab) and street hockey/futsal rink at Dewey Local Park(opens in a new tab) may be permitted, or are available first-come, first serve if not reserved.
- Picnic shelters (opens in a new tab)and campfire rings(opens in a new tab) are available for rental at several locations.
- Little Bennett Campground (opens in a new tab)
- Cabin John Miniature Train(opens in a new tab) and Wheaton Miniature Train and Carousel(opens in a new tab) Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m.to 7 p.m.
- Wheaton Indoor Tennis Center, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Monday.
- Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center, Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Monday.
- South Germantown Driving Range (opens in a new tab)
- Brookside Gardens(opens in a new tab) grounds open daily sunrise-sunset, Visitor Center and Gift Shop open daily 9a.m. to 5 p.m., Conservatory open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Josiah Henson Museum and Park(opens in a new tab), Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on Monday, September 6. Timed entry tickets required.(opens in a new tab)
- Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park(opens in a new tab) Museum & Visitor Center, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The following facilities will be CLOSED on Labor Day, Monday, September 6, 2021
- Montgomery Parks Headquarters and Permits Offices
- Montgomery Parks Information and Customer Service Office
- Pauline Betz Addie (opens in a new tab) and Wheaton Indoor(opens in a new tab) Tennis Centers
- Cabin John Ice Rink (opens in a new tab)and Wheaton Ice Arena (opens in a new tab) (also closed September 4 and 5)
- Josiah Henson Museum and Park(opens in a new tab)
- Indoor nature facilities(opens in a new tab) buildings are closed, visit calendar for schedule of outdoor programming(opens in a new tab).
- Meadowside Nature Center building remains closed for renovations.
- Brookside Nature Center building will be closed beginning September 1, 2021 for renovations.
Montgomery Parks Suspends Alcohol Pilot Program
Effective July 1, alcohol consumption is suspended at 13 park locations.
Per Montgomery Parks:
Wheaton, MD – Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will suspend the park directive allowing alcohol consumption without a permit in 13 parks, effective Thursday, July 1. The suspension is in response to the end of the COVID-19 State of Emergency issued by the State of Maryland. During the state of emergency, the State of Maryland and Montgomery County permitted the delivery and take-out of alcohol by food and beverage establishments.
Montgomery Parks launched the Picnic in the Park program in August 2020, in partnership with Visit Montgomery’s MoCo Eats initiative, to bolster area restaurants in response to the impacts from COVID-19. The directive allowed alcohol consumption within designated areas in 13 parks: Acorn Urban Park, Carroll Knolls Local Park, Ellsworth Urban Park, Elm Street Urban Park, Flower Avenue Urban Park, Germantown Town Center Urban Park, Jesup Blair Urban Park, Norwood Local Park, Olney Manor Recreational Park, Takoma Urban Park, Wall Local Park, Wheaton Local Park, and Wheaton Regional Park.
“As we begin to return to normal, we are suspending the pilot program allowing alcohol in the parks. While the program was in effect, we had no reported alcohol-related incidents or calls for service in our 13 pilot parks and parks patrons enjoyed the ability to eat and drink outdoors with friends and family. We were happy that parks were able to play a role in supporting local businesses and provide a safe outlet for social interaction,” said Mike Riley, Director of Montgomery Parks.
Park visitors are still encouraged to support local restaurants and picnic in all our parks. The Parks Department will continue developing programs and events that provide opportunities for social interaction in our parks.
