August 28, 2015
 
Planning Board Agenda
Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board Thursday, September 3. View the full agenda for that meeting here.

Montgomery County Planning Department Announces Calendar of September Events

 

The Montgomery County Planning Board is pleased to announce its calendar for September 2015. These events offer ways to engage with planners and Planning Board members, and help shape the future of communities within Montgomery County. Review the full list of events below and go online to www.montgomeryplanning.org for more details on projects and plans. View the full list here.

Community Meetings
 
Montgomery Parks will be hosting a Supplemental Community Meeting to present the Capital Crescent Trail Connector Project at the Bethesda Pool and Crossing Hillandale Road Tuesday, September 8, 2015. Meeting will be held at the B-CC Regional Service Center, Room A/B beginning at 7pm. For more information on the connector alignment options or to comment on project, click here.
hike, bike, roll, stroll, run, ride.... Got trails?
We need your help to make our trail system the best it can be as we update the Countywide Park Trails Plan.

Please join us at a public meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 7:00 PM to "Tell us what you think!" about the future of trails in Montgomery Parks. We are doing a comprehensive amendment to the Countywide Park Trails Plan introducing a new "Loops and Links" trail system designed to service as many trail users as possible and result in a system that is more buildable and longer lasting. Learn more at ParkPlanning.org.
Rock Spring Master Plan to Launch on September 1 at Open House Event
The Montgomery County Planning Department is launching the Rock Spring Master Plan on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 7 p.m. at an open house to be held at Walter Johnson High School (6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, MD).

Community residents and business owners are invited to discuss the goals of the Master Plan and learn about existing conditions and challenges. 

County planners will explain the planning process and opportunities for public participation. Community feedback on the initial ideas for the Plan will be recorded on a "graffiti wall" at the event. RSVPs are encouraged but not required.

RSVP for the September 1 Rock Spring Master Plan Open House. Learn more here.
Interested In Knowing About Montgomer College Facilities Master Plan For 2014-2024?

Montgomery College will hold a community meeting on each campus to discuss the 2014-2024 Facilities Master Plan.

Rockville Campus - Tuesday, September 8, 2015 from 7-9 p.m. in Room SC152, the Science Center Building

Germantown Campus - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 from 7-9 p.m. in Globe Hall in the High Technology and Science Center Building

Takoma Park Campus - Thursday, September 10, 2015 from 7-9 p.m. in room CM211 in the Catherine F. Scott Commons Building

Please contact Mr. Jamie Karn at 240-567-4288 if you have any questions.
Bicycle Master Plan Will Launch with Fall Community Meetings
 
The Montgomery County Planning Department is inviting the community to participate in kick-off meetings during September and October 2015 to learn about the Bicycle Master Plan and how to get involved in planning a bicycle network for Montgomery County. The meetings will be held in five locations so that County residents can pick the one that is most convenient for them to attend.
 
The Bicycle Master Plan will consider the newest types of bikeways, such as separated and buffered bike lanes and bicycle boulevards, as well as secure bicycle storage facilities at transit stations. The network will be developed using an evaluation of the varying levels of stress imposed by traffic on cyclists along each roadway in the County. Learn more here.
Annual Pawpaw Festival
 
It's time to get your paws on some pawpaws! Meadowside Nature Center will celebrate the Annual Pawpaw Festival, Sunday, September 13, 2015 from 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM. Music, storytelling, crafts, games, face painters, raptor talks and most importantly, a pawpaw tasting station. Come get your pawpaw on!
Elevated Levels of Microcystin in Lake Needwood Reported
 
Park visitors are encouraged to use caution when recreating on or near Lake Needwood and Lake Frank in Rock Creek Regional Park as high levels of Microcystin have been recently reported. Microcystin is a toxic substance produced by seasonal blue-green algae (also known as Cyanobacteria) bloom and may be harmful if digested. Recreational users should take precautionary measures around shorelines and lakes.  Pets should not be allowed to enter or drink water. For more information please click here.

Montgomery Parks and Montgomery Recreation Launch ActiveMONTGOMERY

 

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.

Park Projects:
 
Trail Work in Parks
 
Bikers and Runners should use caution as improvements are taking place on several trails in Montgomery Parks:
  • Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail between Connecticut Avenue and Franklin Street.
  • Capital Crescent Trail tree work will be coordinated from Dorset Avenue to the DC Line with trail access intermittently being interrupted. Please watch for flaggers and use caution around work areas.
  • 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.  
For more information on Montgomery Parks Trails please visit www.MontgomeryTrails.org.
Brookside Gardens Parking Update
 
Parking at Brookside Gardens for the Wings of Fancy Exhibit and general garden access may be limited, due to ongoing construction. Visit parking alternatives and the Garden Gateway project for more information.
Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center Scheduled To Be Closed
 
The Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center will be closed beginning August 24th through September 30th for major facility renovations, including the installation of central air conditioning. Click here for more info.
Wheaton Indoor Tennis Center To Be Closed For Maintenance
 
The Wheaton Indoor Tennis Center will be closed August 24-31 for annual maintenance including power washing; installation of new flooring in the common area. The facility is scheduled to be reopened Tuesday, September 1st.  Click here for more info.
Montgomery County Planning Department's First Annual Design Excellence Award Program Celebration to be Held on October 22
 
The Montgomery County Planning Department  is inviting everyone with an interest in excellent architecture, landscape architecture and urban design to attend "Celebrate Design" on Thursday, October 22 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The winner of the Planning Department's first annual Design Excellence Award competition will be announced during the celebration at the Silver Spring Civic Building (1 Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, MD). The event will also include the annual awards ceremony of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Potomac Valley Chapter. One of the highlights of the evening will be a presentation on the business case for design excellence by land use strategist Christopher Leinberger, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Learn more here.
Attend the Montgomery Modern Book Launch Party Oct. 30, 7-9 p.m.
 
The Montgomery County Planning Department is hosting a book launch party for the new book entitled Montgomery Modern: Modern Architecture in Montgomery County, Maryland, 1930-1979 on Friday, October 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Writer's Center (4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda, MD).

The event, sponsored by the Planning Department's Historic Preservation Office, is free. Ms. Kelly will give a presentation and attendees will have an opportunity to purchase a signed book. RSVP's are encouraged but not required. Learn more here.

Register to attend the Montgomery Modern Book Launch Party.
Rock Spring Master Plan Kicks Off (Video)
 
The Rock Spring Outreach Team made its way down to the Rock Spring Park Farmers Market to share information and gather feedback about the Master Plan. Watch here.
  • Butterfly Show Volunteers, Brookside Gardens - Click here!
  • Weed Warrior Training Classes (Only 2 more classes left - September & October)- Click here!
  • Nature Ambassadors, Students help at Park Events - Click here!

  • Hot Opportunities - these events are a lot of fun and we need your help! - Click here!