April 15, 2016
 
Planning Board Agenda
Attend or watch the Montgomery County Planning Board Thursday, April 21. View the full agenda for that meeting here.
Celebrate the Reopening of NORTH FOUR CORNERS LOCAL PARK!
Sunday, April 17, 2-4pm

Enjoy soccer fun and games, great live music, a ribbon-cutting, refreshments, giveaways, and more at this beautifully revitalized park in Silver Spring. PetConnect Rescue will be there, too, with adorable four-legged friends looking for forever homes. Come play in Montgomery Parks!

For more info, click here. 
Last Day to Get Lowest Makeover Montgomery Conference Registration Fee is Friday, April 15

The Montgomery County Planning Department encourages the public to register for its conference, Makeover Montgomery 3: Balancing Change in America's Suburbs, to be held from Wednesday, May 4 through Friday, May 6, 2016 in College Park and Silver Spring, Md.

The online registration fee is $40 through Friday, April 15, and then increases to $50. Registering onsite at the conference will cost $60. To register online, go to www.makeovermontgomery3.com.

The Makeover Montgomery 3 conference is being organized through a partnership between the Montgomery County Planning Department and the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education at the University of Maryland. Attendees will hear presentations focused on innovations and new policy tools and strategies that can help transform our county, making it more exciting, equitable and attractive. Multiple session tracks are offered, showcasing presenters from the DC area and across the nation.
Montgomery Modern Author Talk

Friday, April 15:  History Happy Hour, 6:30 pm -- 8pm at Sandy Spring Museum

Author Clare Lise Kelly will present mid-century modern architecture in Montgomery County in an illustrated talk based on the award-winning book, Montgomery Modern: Modern Architecture in Montgomery County, Maryland, 1930-1979, published by the Montgomery County Planning Department.  Architects can receive 1 LU for this approved AIA program.  The event includes light refreshments and happy hour drinks.  Books will be available for purchase and signing.  For tickets and more information, go to sandyspringmuseum.org.  The Sandy Spring Museum is at 17901 Bentley Road, Sandy Spring, Maryland.

Copies of the book can also be purchased online in hard cover, paperback or kindle e-book.
Planning Department's Information Counter Will Close on Friday, April 15 and Resume Full Operations on Tuesday, April 19

The Information Counter of The Montgomery County Planning Department will have greatly limited  operations due to building maintenance work starting Friday, April 15, 2016  at noon and continuing through Monday, April 18.  Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, April 19.

While the maintenance work is underway, information staff will not be able to provide hard copies of documents or print any document, such as a record plat, a zoning map or master plans. However, staff will still be available to answer questions both on the phone and at the counter, and applicants may drop off or pick up documents.

Questions?  Call 301-495-4610 for answers.
Community Meeting Held on April 12 Focused on Transportation-related Changes to the County's Subdivision Staging Policy

The Montgomery County Planning Department is updating the Subdivision Staging Policy (formerly called Growth Policy) for review and approval by the County Council by November 15, 2016. The intent of the Subdivision Staging Policy is to ensure public facilities, particularly schools and transportation facilities, are adequate to accommodate new development.

A community meeting, attended by about 20 County residents, was held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Montgomery County Planning Board auditorium (8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD) to discuss key transportation elements of the policy update.

This event follows a similar public forum held on March 15, 2016 and, like that meeting, presented the opportunity for the community to learn more about the Subdivision Staging Policy and share thoughts about proposed changes to the policy. Learn more here.
Planning and Parks Departments Presented Spring 2016 Semiannual Report to County Council on April 5

The Montgomery County Parks and Planning Departments presented their Spring 2016 Semiannual Report to the Montgomery County Council on Tuesday, April 5, 2016. The report, available online for review, summarizes key projects and plans from the past six months and work that will be completed over the next six months and beyond. Learn more here.

Review the Semiannual Report.
Taking Stress Management to the Next Level: Montgomery County Planning Department Releases an Online Roadmap for Bicycle Stress

The Montgomery County Planning Department has created a digital map showing the amount of stress that people experience when bicycling in Montgomery County.

View the Montgomery County Planning Department Bicycle Stress Map.

The purpose of the map is to understand impediments to bicycling and to identify and prioritize the changes that are needed to create a low-stress bicycling environment for the 50 percent of people who say they would be interested in bicycling, but do not currently bicycle because they are concerned for their safety. Learn more here.
NOTICE: Carroll Ave Bridge Over Sligo Creek and Sligo Creek Parkway To Be Closed

Major rehabilitation of the MD 195 (Carroll Avenue) Bridge over Sligo Creek and Sligo Creek Parkway is underway. The bridge will be closed and traffic detoured through the duration of the one-year project. Work will intermittently close Sligo Creek Parkway daily. Traffic will be detoured and encouraged to seek alternate routes. Caution should be exercised around work areas and vehicles should continue to share roadways with bicyclists. For more info.
Landscape Architects Now Able to Earn Continuing Education Credits by Attending Planning Department Programs

The Montgomery County Planning Department is now an approved provider under the Landscape Architects Continuing Education System (LA CES). Continuing education is required in 37 states for landscape architects seeking to renew their professional licenses.

Landscape architects can now attend programs organized by the Planning Department and earn professional development hours (PHDs). Their first opportunity is to attend the conference, Makeover Montgomery 3: Balancing Change in America's Suburbs, to be held from Wednesday, May 4 through Friday, May 6, 2016 in College Park and Silver Spring, Md. Learn more here.
Celebrate Earth Month with Montgomery Parks!

Looking for a way to give back during Earth Month? Check out Montgomery Parks' special Earth Month volunteer events happening throughout the month of April!  Earth Month volunteer opportunities will include Stream & Park Cleanups, Natural Surface Trail Work, and Weed Warrior Projects among others. Most volunteer opportunities are SSL-hour approved. Visit www.MontgomeryParks.org/EarthMonth to find Earth Month volunteer opportunities along with information on how to participate.
Brookside Gardens- Garden Gateway Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Friday, April 22

Come see all the beautiful (and environmentally friendly) changes at Brookside Gardens, and help us celebrate the work completed on this major project. There's a redesigned main entrance, new Aquatic Overlook, new South Terrace just outside the Visitor Center, lovely new features like the Ginkgo Canopy and Fern Gate, a new parking garden, and much more.   
Earth Day Festival
April 24th 12pm-4pm

Celebrate Earth Day with Montgomery Parks! Enjoy FREE family-friendly activities, "green" craft fair, plant sale, food vendors and live music. Join us at Brookside Gardens and Brookside Nature Center where you will discover how small changes in your everyday habits can make a big impact on improving the environment and our local community.  Learn more here.
Attend The 2016 Affordable Housing Conference on May 16

The 2016 Affordable Housing Conference Summit will explore the links between housing, transit and jobs. Affordable housing, transportation and employment are critical components of the foundation for a viable and strong economy. What, where and how we preserve, build and maintain affordable housing in Montgomery County must reflect the evolving needs and resources of our existing and future neighborhoods, county-wide. Learn more here.
Rodolfo Machado of Boston Firm Honored with 2015 Design Excellence Award Will Present Work at Silver Spring Civic Building on May 25

The Montgomery County Planning Department held its first annual Design Excellence Award competition in 2015 and honored the top winner, the Silver Spring Civic Building, at a design celebration last October.

The architect who designed the building is now scheduled to talk about his work on this and other projects on Wednesday, May 25, 2016. The public presentation by Rodolfo Machado, FAIA, of the Boston-based architecture firm Machado Silvetti will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Spring Room of the award-winning Silver Spring Civic Building. Learn more here.
Spring Registration Open

Registration for Montgomery Parks' spring programs is now open! Visit our Community Corner to sign up for nature and garden programs, ice skating, tennis and more! 
Parks Opens Four New Athletic Fields 

The athletic fields at Northwest Branch Recreational Park will be open this spring and available to permit. There are four fields which must be permitted for use:  three full size rectangles and one adult size baseball, as well as one smaller practice rectangle.   For more information on permitting these fields please click here or call 240-777-2716.
Emerald Ash Borer in Montgomery Parks

A non-native invasive beetle in Montgomery County is wreaking havoc on ash trees, many which are located in stream valleys on parkland. Learn more on the department's plan to address the issue here.
Accessibility Improvements Continue

Accessibility Improvement work continues at Olney Manor Recreational Park, and Ayrlawn Local Park. Work is scheduled to begin at Ridge Road Recreational Park, Ken Gar Local Park, Clear Spring Local Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreational Park and Stratton Local Park this spring. For more information on these and other accessibility projects please visit: Accessibility Information for Montgomery Parks webpage.
Find an Athletic Field 

Did you know Montgomery Parks maintains close to 300 fields for public games, practices and walk-on play? Click here to find out more about our park athletic fields.
Wheaton Regional Park Master Plan Update

Attention Wheaton Regional Park fans! Montgomery Parks is in the process of updating the Master Plan for this park. Be sure to tell us what you think! Public input is encouraged throughout the planning process.
Park Projects:
 
Trail Work in Parks
 
Bikers and Runners should use caution as improvements are taking place on several trails in Montgomery Parks:
  • NEW: Trail work, south of Wheaton Regional Park to replace a bridge connecting the Northwest Branch Trail to the Rachel Carson Greenway Trail is in progress. Trail users should exercise caution around work zone. 
  • NOTICE: Parklawn Local Park - Trail improvements to the Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail are scheduled to begin this winter at Veirs Mill Road connector onto trail.
  • Wheaton Regional Park - Pine Lake trail work will start this winter season to improve access and storm water management. Watch for detours posted around designated work areas.
  • Work is scheduled over the next few weeks along the Capital Crescent Trail at the DC Line. Trail users should use caution around work zones.
  • Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail work is underway to coordinate the removal of high risk trees and limbs including Emerald Ash Borer infested trees along the Rock Creek Hiker- Biker Trails on Beach Drive.  For more information on tree inspection and maintenance, click here. 
  • Black Hill Trail Connector Project is underway to build a new shared-use natural surface six-mile trail along the western side of Little Seneca Lake in Black Hill Regional Park. Numerous construction phases will take place over the course of the next year until the trail is complete.
  • The pedestrian bridge at the Ten Mile Creek tributary to Little Seneca Lake in Black Hill Regional Park will be closed until spring 2016.
  • Work continues on the Rock Creek trail in Rock Creek Regional Park around Baltimore Road and Norbeck Road. Trails will be partially closed for bridge work, stream work and the repaving of the trail leading to bridge. A detour will be posted when trail repaving begins.
  • Rock Creek Trail Signs are being installed to improve wayfinding on the trail and adjacent neighborhood trail connectors leading to main trail of the 14 mile Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail.
  • Little Bennett Regional Park The bridge on the Beaver Valley Trail is impassible due to recent flooding. The bridge will not be accessible until repairs can be made.
For more information on Montgomery Parks Trails please visit www.MontgomeryTrails.org.
Spring Festivals & Events in Montgomery Parks

Enjoy spring festivals and events in Montgomery Parks! Come enjoy open houses at our many facilities, special skates at our ice rinks, Earth Day events and volunteer opportunities around our parks, and events and festivals at our four nature centers and Brookside Gardens. Visit www.MontgomeryParks.org/festivals for upcoming events and information.
View Montgomery Parks Program GUIDES Online
 
Click here to see all the various programs, classes and events Montgomery Parks has to offer you and your family. Browse the eGuide from your computer or cell via at Montgomery Parks eGuides.

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