Montgomery Parks’ COVID-19 Information

Montgomery Parks’ COVID-19 Information

Many Montgomery Parks amenities are open in accordance with Montgomery County’s Executive Order 082-20, COVID-19 Local Order – Phase 2. When playing, remember to: Wear a face covering. Stay six feet apart. Clean your hands before and after use. Park visitors are encouraged to bring their own wipes and hand sanitizer.

Book a stand-up or micro-wedding with our event centers, Seneca Lodge and Rockwood Manor are accepting reservations for small bookings.

Permitting on a limited number of Picnic Shelters is available through November 30th. After that, they are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Montgomery Parks offers covered picnic shelters throughout the county for groups to host picnics or events. Multiple shelters are located within Regional or Recreational Parks including Black Hill Regional Park, Cabin John Regional Park, Rock Creek Regional Park, and Wheaton Regional Park among others. Learn more by visiting our Park Permits webpage.

Parks is committed to maintaining the weekend Open Streets Initiative through the pandemic, even during cooler weather. When schools re-open for full in-person attendance and Montgomery County enters phase three, we will assess the program and will take community feedback into consideration.

Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena are open for individual athletic training (currently, no public skating sessions).
The Wheaton Sports Pavilion is now open for futsal, soccer, and lacrosse bookings.

Parks, trails, fields, and sections of several parkways are open for exercise including walking, hiking, and biking.

Indoor Tennis Centers at Wheaton Regional Park and Cabin John Regional Park are open.
All outdoor tennis courts and South Germantown Driving Range are currently open.

Montgomery Parks is issuing permits for fields, to learn more please visit our Permits & Rentals page.

Cabin John Train and Wheaton Train & Carousel are closed until further notice.
Thank you for your support and patronage, and we hope to take a ride again with you soon.

Be Smart. Do Your Part.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission urges our residents and visitors to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. If you go to a park or trail to exercise, use caution. Our parks and trails are open sunrise to sunset, but please:

Keep six feet between you and others at all times.
Do not touch surfaces such as water fountains, and athletic equipment such as fitness stations.

Dogs must be leashed.
Smoking, vaping, and alcohol is prohibited.

Our Customer Service office hours are Monday – Friday: 8 am – 5 pm. As a reminder, the contact info is 301-495-2595 & Info@MontgomeryParks.org. Park patrons with questions can email the Public Information Customer Service office at info@montgomeryparks.org.

Montgomery Parks' COVID-19

Are the parks, gardens, trails, and dog parks open?

Yes, outdoor spaces in parks, gardens, community gardens, and trails are open, though the use of some park amenities is prohibited.

Dog parks and skate parks remain open, but usage must be limited to less than 50 people at a time.

Brookside Gardens’ Visitors Center and Conservatory are closed, and parking at the visitor center has been limited, but the grounds remain open.

Please observe signs. Anyone engaging in outdoor exercise activities must follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state guidelines: groups must be limited to ten or less people and you must keep a distance of at least six feet between you and other people at all times.
Can my kids play on the playground?
Playgrounds have been reopened beginning Monday, June 29. Our 174 playlots host 276 playgrounds and we ask that when playing, remember to:
- Wear face coverings.
- Stay 6 feet apart.
- Clean your hands before and after use
Weekend Parkway Closures
Little Falls Parkway will be open to pedestrians and cyclists only on weekends starting at 7 a.m. on Saturday mornings until Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. and Sligo Creek Parkway and Beach Drive will be open to pedestrians and bicyclists Friday mornings at 9 a.m. through Sunday at 6 p.m.

The program includes the following parkway portions:
- Parts of Sligo Creek Parkway
- Little Falls Parkway from Massachusetts Ave. to Arlington Rd. (1.3 miles)
- Beach Drive from Connecticut Avenue to Knowles Avenue (2.7 miles)
Sligo Creek Parkway adheres to our normal park and trail hours of sunrise to sunset. 

See our release about Parkway Closures for more information.</strong
Can I still walk on the closed roadways? What times will the roadways be closed?

Little Falls Parkway will be open to pedestrians and cyclists only on weekends starting at 7 a.m. on Saturday mornings until Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. and Sligo Creek Parkway and Beach Drive will be open to pedestrians and bicyclists Friday mornings at 9 a.m. through Sunday at 6 p.m.

See our release about Parkway Closures for more information.
Why are you closing portions of these roadways?

To expand safe access to park facilities for exercise during the COVID-19 crisis and to provide additional space for easier social distancing.

See our Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 Parks’ Road Closures post for more information.
When will indoor facilities reopen?

We are working closely with local health officials and will reopen our other indoor facilities when they communicate it is safe. Please check individual facility webpages for their guidelines and safety practices.
Are the Montgomery Parks’ athletic fields open?

Yes, all Montgomery Parks’ athletic fields are open for youth and adult sports practice and games (no tournaments) for low and medium-risk sports. For high-risk sports, a practice that involves skills-building and drills is permitted; scrimmage and games are not permitted. An athletic field permit is required for organized sports programs/activities. Walk-on activities are also allowed; however, non-permitted users must always relinquish the field to designated athletic field permit holders.

More information is available on our COVID-19 Reopening of Local Park Athletic Field Permitting FAQs page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Capital Crescent Trail Info

The Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) is one of the most used trails in Montgomery County. For better social distancing, we advise residents to consider alternative trails or plan your activity during off-peak hours, like early or later in the day.

When using the CCT, or any trail, do not walk, run or bike in groups. Instead, move in single file. Side by side groups impede social distancing. Warn other trail users as you pass. Signal your presence with your voice, bell or horn.
Do parks and trails close at 8 pm?

There’s no curfew in the Governor’s Executive Order, but parks and trails close at dark.
How long will these new road closures be in effect?

Until further notice. We continue to assess the pedestrian traffic, input from the public and local leaders, and follow guidance from federal, state, and local health officials to ensure the safety of all our park patrons.

See our Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 Parks’ Road Closures post for more information.
Can you add other streets/sections of the roadways to the closures?

We are actively assessing potential options for expanding these closures. We are also mindful of the operational and community impact of any extended closures and we are selecting closure areas in geographically different locations, so that multiple neighborhoods can reap the benefits.

See our Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 Parks’ Road Closures post for more information.
Are community gardens open?

Yes, our community gardens are open to staff and individuals with permits for plots. However, you must follow guidelines about social distancing. Please also see our additional information about Community Gardening during COVID-19.
Can I reserve a picnic shelter / Park Activity Building?

Montgomery Parks will begin offering permits for limited Regional and Recreational Park picnic shelters beginning September 1 through October 31, 2020. Permits are available via ActiveMONTGOMERY.org or by submitting an application (available on the permits page of Montgomery Parks website) to our Park Permits office. For more information, contact our Permit Office at 301–495–2525 or ParkPermits@MontgomeryParks.org.
Are restrooms open?

Montgomery Parks’ indoor restroom buildings will re-open at Regional and Recreational Parks beginning September 1, 2020. Portable restroom units remain available but use them at your own risk. We cannot guarantee the conditions of the units. We recommend that if you do use the portable restroom units, then bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

Last Updated: October 27, 2020