Public Meeting - March 12, 2008
Battery Lane Urban Park Concept Vision
A public meeting was held at 7:00 PM on March 12, 2008 at the Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services Center. The meeting was hosted by Montgomery County Department of Parks, and was attended by 35 people including several adjacent neighbors and homeowners associations. Also in attendance were other interested citizens, developers, Park Department and Bethesda Urban Partnership Staff.
The purpose of the meeting was to generate and collect ideas and input from the public on the future vision for Battery Lane Urban Park. To initiate the discussion several possible themes were presented in a PowerPoint slide show by Parks Department staff. Meeting participants visited stations around the room and recorded comments on various ideas including: expanding the park boundaries, incorporating the arts, adding children’s activities, providing a cyclist rest stop, incorporating flexible lawn areas, and keeping the current layout.
Since the meeting staff has received emails, phone calls and letters from more than twenty-five people. Those comments, along with those received at the meeting, are summarized as follows:
Expand the Park Boundary
If possible, to acquire additional property that would provide more visibility and create a more inviting entrance at the south end of the park. Several citizens thought this a good idea and cautioned that any immediate improvements to the park not preclude future expansion.
Incorporate the Arts
Some people supported incorporating the visual arts as long as they do not replace other existing facilities; for example climbable sculpture in the playground or artistic seating areas. Several people opposed formally programmed art, theater, or music events because of potential light and noise impacts on the surrounding residences and on the park’s character of a peaceful oasis. Some people noted that other public open spaces in the Woodmont Triangle already host art events.
Add/Enhance Children’s Activities
Many people supported enlarging and/or improving the playground, noting that the current playground does not serve children less than three years of age or over five. Some people expressed concern that an expanded playground might replace other existing facilities. Some people liked the idea of a theme for the playground, such as art or science.
Provide a Cyclist Rest Stop
Some people thought that the park should include a kiosk with maps, bike racks, a place to sit, and a drinking fountain for cyclists. Concerns were raised about the possible conflicts between cyclists and walkers on the paths. Several suggested that bike lanes be physically separated from the walking lanes. One person suggested moving the westernmost path to the edge of the park to gain space in the park’s interior for other uses.
Incorporate More Open Lawn Area
Several people supported having open, unprogrammed, grassy areas in the park for informal play, picnics, sunbathing, etc. Somel citizens expressed concern that open lawn areas would replace existing facilities. Others suggested that lawn areas could be added without sacrificing the facilities by reconfiguring the layout.
Keep the Current Layout
Several people expressed the view that the park should keep its current layout of tennis court, basketball court, playground, sitting areas, small playground, and trails. One person noted that there are no other tennis courts within easy walking distance of the park. Many were concerned that changes to the park would reduce the amount of landscaping and green areas. Some were concerned that changes would attract more people to the park.
Other Ideas
Accessibility: Widen pathways to allow wheelchair rest stops. Provide a barrier-free drinking fountain.
Seating: Provide more benches for seating.
Dog Exercise Area: A petition for a fenced dog exercise area, signed by ten nearby residents, was received by staff. Other people thought that a fenced dog area would be inappropriate due to noise impacts on the adjacent residences. One person noted that the path around NIH provides an area for dog-walking, although it is not fenced.
Fitness Features: Provide a fitness stretching station along the path.
Water Features: Provide a swimming pool. Provide a self-activated spray fountain at the playground.
Safety: Increase Park Police presence to monitor panhandlers and homeless people in the park. Enhance/improve lighting in the park along the paths.
Adjacent Features: Convert the commercial building adjacent to the park into an arts center. Install a roundabout at the end of Norfolk Street in a way that ties into an enhanced entrance to the park.
Improve Maintenance: Several maintenance suggestions were made including more frequent trash pickup, tree trimming and mowing, painting and resurfacing of equipment and walkways. Complaints were made about maintenance trucks creating muddy ruts along the pathways. Additional landscaping in the form of flowers or flowering shrubs was suggested.
We value your feedback and would appreciate your comments regarding how we approach these plans. Please send questions, feedback and comments to Brooke Farquhar at Brooke.Farquhar@montgomeryparks.org or call 301-650-4388.
Last Update: July 17, 2009
Montgomery County Department of Parks