Brookside Gardens Entrance, Parking & Access Improvements
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Project Description
This project includes improvements to the Brookside Gardens visitor's entrance, parking area and garden access, located at 1800 Glenallan Avenue, in Wheaton Regional Park. These improvements will provide a safe, sustainable and aesthetic entrance to welcome visitors accommodating pedestrian/ vehicular access, additional parking and needed reception space for the Visitors Center and garden areas.
Background
A Master Plan for Brookside Gardens was completed and approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board in March of 2005, providing a long-term vision for renewal of the Gardens. Facility plans for the first two of fifteen phases for renovation defined in the Master Plan, Entrance Renovation and Parking and Access Improvements, were developed and approved in 2008 and 2010. This project is to implement the combined two facility plans to visually reinforce the entrance to the Visitors Center as the primary entrance to Brookside Gardens, to expand the existing parking area to help alleviate parking shortages, and to set the tone for the visitation experience throughout the Gardens.
The scope includes new entrance signage, artwork, a gatehouse, improved pedestrian entrance from Glenallan Avenue, a reconfigured parking lot with additional 63 spaces, demonstration rain garden planting, entry courtyard with paved pedestrian crosswalks, bus parking and overlook deck, arrival terrace for group assembly, service and emergency vehicular access, energy efficient lighting, stormwater management facilities, landscape irrigation, deer control and site furnishings. In addition to the functional improvements, it creates a greatly enhanced arrival space for the gardens. The plan incorporates green design features such as permeable paving, recycled materials for decking and boardwalks, and rain gardens.
Status/Project Update
The project is in the procurement process for final design and construction documentation. Design is anticipated to begin in summer of 2012.
The total approved funding is short by $946,000 from the original project construction cost estimates. While Brookside Gardens is raising donations toward constructing the entire project, value engineering and phasing strategies will be assessed to work with the available funding.
Calendar and Meeting Notes
Links to review meeting notes and Planning Board memos will be attached to each applicable calendar event as it is scheduled and completed.
DATE TIME |
DISCUSSION AND MEETING NOTES |
LOCATION |
| January 6, 2005 | Planning Board Meeting - Master Plan approved | M-NCPPC, Montgomery Regional Office Building Auditorium 8787 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
| July 17, 2008 | Planning Board Meeting - Facility Plan approved | M-NCPPC, Montgomery Regional Office Building Auditorium 8787 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
| February 25, 2010 | Planning Board Meeting - Facility Plan approved | M-NCPPC, Montgomery Regional Office Building Auditorium 8787 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
| Summer 2012 | Design begins | |
| Fall 2013 | Design completed | |
| Spring 2014 | Construction begins | |
| Fall 2014 | Construction completed |
M-NCPPC Staff Contacts
Ching-Fang Chen, Project Manager
Ching-Fang.Chen@MontgomeryParks.org
301-495-2557
Date of last update: March 26, 2012
Montgomery County Department of Parks