Montgomery Parks, in collaboration with Montgomery County Recreation is launching a new registration system, ActiveMONTGOMERY. The new system replaces ParkPASS and RecWeb, to provide one location, users can access with one username and password to register for classes from either organization. Visit www.ActiveMontgomery.org for more information.

Who knew that August 10 was National S'Mores Day? What a great excuse to get out into a  parks - bring your graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows and celebrate. To find a picnic shelter locations in parks visit here.

The Montgomery County Planning Department seeks to recognize exceptional work in architecture, landscape architecture and urban design through its first annual Design Excellence Award. Developers, property owners and their design teams are invited to submit built projects that contribute to improving the quality of physical environments throughout the County.

The deadline for submission is Friday, August 21, 2015. The selection of a winner will be made by an outside jury of accomplished professionals, including architects, urbanists and a landscape architect, invited by the Planning Department. Learn more here.

Submit to the Montgomery County Planning Department's Design Excellence Award.

• Good Hope Local Park: Work to improve storm water management continues and is expected to be completed August 2015. Ball fields and trails will remain open and accessible. For more info, click here.
• Indian Spring Terrace Local Park: Renovations are underway to a portion of the parking lot to improve access.  Work will continue through August 2015. Indian Spring Terrace Local Park facilities will remain open; park users should use caution around construction sites. 
• Accessibility Improvements at Potomac Community Neighborhood Park, Pleasant View Local Park and Ayrlawn Local Park. For more information on these and other accessibility projects please visit: Accessibility Information for Montgomery Parks webpage.
• Upcoming Playground Improvements:  Improvements continue at Johnson's Local Park as part of the Playground Renovation Program. The project will temporarily close the playground and surrounding areas to replace existing facilities. For more information on the playground renovation project and other parks scheduled, click here.

Renovations and construction are taking place on several trails in Montgomery Parks, including:

• Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail between Connecticut Avenue and Franklin Street.
• Capital Crescent Trail tree work to continue through the summer. Detours will be posted.
• Western Piedmont Trail is closed below Hyattstown Mill where the trail crosses Little Bennett Creek for installation of a new bridge. Work is expected to continue for a year.
• Paint Branch Trail will have restricted use between Randolph Road and Fairland Road due to WSSC work.