It was another great night of talking "Retrofitting the Suburbs: From Friendship Heights to White Flint" with Royce Hanson and our esteemed panel of Julie Davis, John Robinson and Evan Goldman. Thanks to everyone who came out for our second session of our Winter Speakers Series. The next session is happening on January 14 at 5:30 p.m. Check out all the details on the series.

The two Planning Board chairs representing Montgomery and Prince George's Counties of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission recently sent a letter to Maryland's Governor-elect Larry Hogan and his transition team explaining the important reasons for keeping the Purple Line on track.

The December 4 letter, sent by Casey Anderson, Chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board, and Prince George's County Planning Board Chair Elizabeth Hewlett also outlines the economic benefits of light rail. 

View the letter to Governor-elect Hogan and his transition team supporting the Purple Line. 

Online questionnaire asks public to evaluate concepts for buildings, transportation systems, civic spaces and focal areas for environmental best practices.

The Montgomery County Planning Department is inviting stakeholders and residents to participate in the online "Feedback Loop" from December 8 through December 19 for the ongoing Bethesda Downtown Plan.

This online questionnaire encourages the public to offer views on a number of concepts, ranging from bike paths to building heights, proposed for the Plan. From this feedback, planners will be able to confirm their understanding of the community's priorities for Downtown Bethesda.
 

The Bethesda Downtown Plan Feedback Loop will be available starting Monday, December 8 at www.bethesdadowntownplan.org.

The Montgomery County Planning Department recently commissioned Toole Design Group of Silver Spring, MD, nationally recognized experts in bicycle planning and design, to develop conceptual designs for a "cycle track" on Connecticut Avenue between Manor Road and Chevy Chase Lake Drive. These concepts incorporate the latest research and best practices to facilitate bicycle access to the future Capital Crescent Trail, Connecticut Avenue Purple Line station and future development around the station. Review the Connecticut Avenue Cycle Track Concepts Study.

Montgomery Parks is hosting Winter Solstice Celebrations at three of its nature centers. Celebrate the year's longest night and the return of the sun with activities, crafts, campfires, treats and more.

December 20, 7 - 8PM: Winter Solstice Celebration at Meadowside Nature Center, register here.

December 21, 1 - 5PM: Winter Solstice Celebration at Brookside Garden Nature Center, register here.

December 21, 4 - 6PM: Winter Solstice Celebration at Locust Grove Nature Center, register here. 

Montgomery Parks will host a community meeting at Rockwood Manor Special Park to present findings from a recently completed feasibility study for the park and facility. Please visit www.ParkProjects.org and click on Rockwood Manor under Public Meetings.  

Find out about hundreds of programs, classes and events taking place in parks this winter. Visit www.MontgomeryParks.org/Guide.

Montgomery Parks has made a difficult decision to cancel the annual Garden of Lights show this year due to ongoing construction at Brookside Gardens. Find information on many other holiday happenings in Montgomery Parks here.