Parks’ Picks

Parks’ Picks

National Public Lands Day was established in 1994, and the day celebrates people and green spaces and encourages volunteers to help restore and improve public lands around the country. This year, it falls on Saturday, September 25. Here are our Parks’ Picks for opportunities to do service projects in the parks, as well as a few other fun ways to explore nature in our parks this weekend!

Come to Black Hill Visitor Center and show your park love by participating in a variety of service projects on Saturday, September 25, from 9 am to 12 pm. All participants must register in advance. Participants should be dressed for the weather and bring snacks and water.

Wooded area overlooking lake at Black Hill Regional Park.

Park Cleanups

Join Montgomery Parks and other community organizations to help remove trash and non-native plants from parkland throughout the county in recognition of National Public Lands Day. All participants must register in advance.

Weed Warrior workdays will be held at Sligo Creek Park – SVU 4, Sligo Creek Park – SVU 1A and Wyngate Woods Neighborhood Park on Saturday, September 25, and at Cabin John Regional Park on Sunday, September 26.

Adult female picking up trash from parkland.

Migratory Bird Watch

Join us on the back deck of Locust Grove Nature Center on Friday, September 24, as we watch birds that are passing through on their long migrations south. This program is great for beginner birdwatchers! A naturalist can answer your questions about birds and help you practice using binoculars. Sign up for a 30-minute session between 4 and 6 pm.

Adult male and teenage girl looking up in the sky and identifying birds.

Turtle Talk

Come visit our outdoor box turtle enclosure at Brookside Nature Center and learn about the natural history and conservation challenges of these iconic reptiles from our Turtle Talk volunteers on Saturday, September 25, from 2:30 to 3 pm. Enjoy seeing our resident turtles explore the great outdoors!

Close-up of turtle on the ground with green leaves and plants.

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Discover our previous Parks Picks

National Self-Care Awareness Month - September 16, 2021

September is National Self-Care Awareness Month! Montgomery Parks provides many opportunities for you to practice self-care and enjoy the outdoors in Montgomery County during September and beyond. Here are our Parks’ Picks for ways to do self-care in the parks!

Trails

Get some exercise and enjoy the beauty of nature around you. Montgomery Parks boasts almost 270 miles of paved surface and natural surface trails for you to walk, run, bike, and horseback ride (on select trails).

Check out our trail directory and plan your next outing on the trails.

Parks

Enjoy one of 421 parks throughout the county. Our parks have many features for you to enjoy on your visit. Playgrounds, picnic shelters, athletic fields, dog parks, and much more! There is something for everyone to take advantage of and find personal happiness in the great outdoors.

Find a park near you in our park directory

Yoga for Adults

Learn yoga poses and movements to help increase flexibility and strength, and cultivate mental focus in the beautiful setting of Brookside Gardens. Adults can participate in our weekly Yoga at Brookside Gardens (Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 am) and Gentle Yoga at Brookside Gardens (Thursdays from 10 to 11 am) programs.

Tai Chi at Brookside Gardens

Adults will learn and practice proper forms of this ancient Chinese form of exercise during our weekly classes under the Japanese Tea House at Brookside Gardens on Wednesdays from 9 to 10:15 am.

Yoga for Children

Families with small children can participate in the Fall Yoga Sprouts program at Brookside Gardens. This series of fun and garden-related yoga movement, physical exercise, and mindfulness will awaken your senses, boost your energy, and give you good garden vibes to start your day! Classes are held on Saturdays from 10 to 10:40 am.

Join a certified Child Light yoga instructor and explore varying themes in nature that will help children become more at ease in their world during our Outdoor Kids Yoga class on Sunday, September 19, from 9:30 to 10:30 am outside the Black Hill Visitor Center in Black Hill Regional Park.

Shinrin- yoku: The Art of Forest Bathing

Participants will be led on a forest bathing walk through the beautiful fall colors at Brookside Gardens. Experience the incomparable beauty of the bursting golds, oranges, and reds of the trees as you stroll through the grounds at a slow pace, stopping to smell the autumn scents, hear the birds, and ponder the many small miracles unfolding. There are two sessions of this program: Wednesday, October 27, from 10 am to 12 pm, and Saturday, October 30, from 9:30 to 11:30 am.

Half-day Mindfulness Retreat at Brookside Gardens

Come enjoy a half-day of stress-relieving practices in the 50-acre peaceful sanctuary of Brookside Gardens on Sunday, October 3, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Participants will have a chance to learn, discuss, and practice different mindfulness techniques, including gentle yoga; walking and seated meditation; and the meditative way of the labyrinth.

Montgomery Parks…It’s All Here!
Hispanic Heritage Month - September 9, 2021

Explore, read, dance, and laugh with Montgomery Parks for Hispanic Heritage Month. Check out all the fun programs for September 15 to October 15.

Creek Critters at Long Branch Creek

What lives in our streams in the parks? Go on an aquatic adventure to find Creek Critters at Long Branch on Saturday, September 25, 10 am to 12 pm.

The program is part of the Si Se Puede! project with staff from Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS), Montgomery Parks, and Community Health and Empowerment through Education and Research (CHEER).

Meet at the front entrance of Rolling Terrace Elementary School. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Masks are required for persons two and older. FREE event, but registration required.

Drag Queen Story Hour

Lady J. Monroe reads stories in English and Spanish at Drag Queen Story Hour outdoors at Brookside Gardens on Saturday, September 25, at 10:30 am. In spaces like this, children see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish and where dress-up is real.

This one-hour free program is co-sponsored by WAM and FAM and Drag Queen Story Hour of Montgomery County, Maryland. The event will move indoors to a classroom if there’s rain.

Photo courtesy Drag Queen Story Hour of Montgomery County, Maryland.

Salsa in the Park

Let your body move to the music! Don’t know how? Take a free salsa lesson then dance through the night during Salsa in the Park on Friday, October 8, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, at Long Branch-Arliss Neighborhood Park.

FREE admission, food, and parking! Live music by Ocho de Bastos! Games and vendors! All ages welcome. No registration, and, sorry, no dogs.

Movies in the Gardens

Finally, it’s a family night of entertainment during Movies in the Gardens at Brookside Gardens. Enjoy “Coco” with the kids on Tuesday, October 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm on our big screen.

Spread out the blanket, set up the chairs, and bring dinner or snacks. No time to prepare anything? Grab a bite from the food truck on site. Oh, yes, the film is absolutely FREE!

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Pawpaw and Pollinators Festival - September 2, 2021

We are celebrating pawpaw trees, honeybees, and insects during the Pawpaw and Pollinators Festival in September! These are our Parks’ Parks for ways to shop for native trees and local honey or to experience the marvels of bees and other bugs.

Native Plant Sales

Add native plants to your yard and garden this fall! Shop and buy your plants, shrubs, and trees from Locust Grove Nature Center in two ways. Staff offers online phone orders on Sunday, September 5, from 10 am to 4 pm. To prepare for your call, check out the plant inventory and fill out the plant form. You also can purchase plants in person on Saturday, September 18, and Sunday, September 19, from 10 am to 2 pm. A limited supply of pawpaw trees will be available for both phone orders and in-person sales.

Maydale Nature Classroom begins online orders for its plant sale Wednesday, September 1. And, orders continue through Wednesday, September 15, at 12 pm. Check out the plant list and steps for buying on our website.

Explore more about native trees during the live Nature Virtual talk with Capital Naturalist Alonso Abuggatas on Tuesday, September 14, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Registration required.

Honey Sale

September is National Honey Month. Add sweetness to your food and drink with local honey from Brookside Nature Center. The honey is produced at the beehives in the meadow and with the help of the Montgomery County Beekeepers Association. Buy one or more eight-ounce jars during the honey sale from September 1 to 18 and support the nature center.

And, you can learn about honeybees through two special programs at Brookside Nature Center this month: Honeybees at Home on Sundays on September 5, 12, and 19, from 3 pm to 3:30 pm; and Native Bees and Honeybees on Thursday, September 26, from 2 pm to 3 pm.

Insect Programs

Black Hill Nature Programs at Black Hill Visitor Center is celebrating Monarch Fiesta Month during weekends in September. The Monarch Meet and Greet programs are full, but there are unlimited spaces available during the Insect Hunt. Search for dragonflies, butterflies, praying mantises, and other bugs with Smithsonian’s Dr. David Adamski on Saturdays September 4, from 10:30 am to 3 pm; September 11, from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm; and September 18, from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. Free! No registration is required. Just drop in!

For other seasonal programs, visit our Fall Program Guide.

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End of Summer Activities - August 26, 2021

Students in Montgomery County Public Schools head back to the classroom next Monday and Labor Day weekend is around the corner. There are plenty of things to do in Montgomery Parks. Here are our Parks’ Picks for activities to do as the summer winds down:

Drag Queen Story Hour with Citrine

Join us Saturday, August 28, from 10:30 to 11:30 am at Brookside Gardens for Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) with Citrine, cosponsored by Drag Queen Story Hour Montgomery County, Maryland, WAM and FAM, and Brookside Gardens. DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. Kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish and where dress-up is real.

Underground Railroad Experience Trail Guided Hike

Join us on Saturday, August 28, from 9:30 am to 12 pm to learn about the experience of nineteenth-century freedom seekers in Montgomery County and Maryland. Discover techniques used for navigation, eluding detection, and finding food and shelter, as you hike our simulated experience trail.

South Germantown SplashPark and MiniGolf

Labor Day weekend is your last chance to cool off in the water features or challenge your friends and family to a game of miniature golf at South Germantown SplashPark and MiniGolf. The park is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm through this Sunday, August 29, and during the Labor Day holiday weekend (Saturday, September 4, through Monday, September 6). The park will be closed Monday, August 30, through Friday, September 3.

Boating at Black Hill Regional Park and Rock Creek Regional Park

The holiday weekend is your last chance to rent a paddleboard (Black Hill only), kayak, rowboat, canoe, or pedal boat and experience nature on the water. Rentals at Little Seneca Lake, Black Hill Regional Park, are open Friday, September 3, through Monday, September 6, from 10 am to 5 pm. Rentals at Lake Needwood, Rock Creek Regional Park, are open Saturday, September 4, through Monday, September 6, from 10 am to 5 pm.

Honeybees at Home

See honeybees up close at the Brookside Nature Center bee yard on Sunday, September 5. Members of the Montgomery County Beekeepers Association will show live honeybees and explain the insect’s behavior. Learn why honeybees are essential to agriculture and to our dinner table!

Don’t forget that fall program registration is underway. Browse our program guide and register your whole family for one of our exciting fall programs.

And, coming up in September is our Pawpaw and Pollinator Festival. Participate in themed programming and support our nature centers by shopping their plant and honey sales throughout the month.

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Little Known Facts about the Parks - August 19, 2021

There have been historical events that have taken place on Montgomery Parks property throughout the years. Here are our Parks’ Picks for four little-known facts about our parks:

Nazi Prisoners of War Camp

During World War II, the federal government brought more than 400,000 mostly German prisoners of war (POW) to the United States and placed them in camps in almost every state. Gaithersburg’s POW Camp 8 was one of nineteen camps set up in Maryland. It was located in what is now Johnson’s Local Park or formerly known as Emory Grove Local Park. Prisoners worked at canneries, mills, farms, and other places that were deemed minimal security risks. Even after the war in Europe ended and Germany surrendered, thousands of POWs were not released immediately. In September 1945, a 25-year old POW working on a farm near Rockville escaped and was never found.

Fighter Planes

Wheaton Regional Park once had a Vought F7U Cutlass plane! The plane was introduced in 1951 and was a notorious failure. It was known as the “Gutless Cutlass” for its underpowered engines and the “Ensign Eliminator” for its many fatal crashes. The aircraft was installed at Wheaton Regional Park in 1964. There was another fighter jet also at Cabin John Regional Park. The Cutlass was climbed on and played in so much that it had to be reskinned. Eventually, the planes were removed, cut up, and, presumably, sold for scrap.

Photo Credit: 1963 M-NCPPC Annual Report, courtesy of M-NCPPC Archives

Battery Bailey

Battery Bailey was a man-made hill constructed during the Civil War to defend Washington, DC from Confederate Army attacks. The battery is on top of a hill overlooking Little Falls Branch and is constructed in a “C” shape facing north. To fortify the capital, a series of forts, batteries, and entrenchments were built around the city. This defensive perimeter totaled thirty-four miles. Battery Bailey, named for Colonel Guilford D. Bailey, who was killed at the Battle of Seven Pines in 1862, is the only Civil War fortification remaining in Montgomery County. It is located at the site of Westmoreland Hills Local Park.

Old MacDonald’s Farm

This farm at Wheaton Regional Park was the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s first attempt to exhibit agricultural operations for the enjoyment of park visitors. One of the first patrons at this attraction was First Lady Jackie Kennedy and her son, John Kennedy Jr. The original plans for the farm included a scarecrow near cultivated fields and a variety of livestock, including turkeys, pigs, chickens, cows, donkeys, and rabbits.

Photo Credit: 1963 M-NCPPC Annual Report, courtesy of M-NCPPC Archives

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Things to Do with your Dog in the Parks - August 12, 2021

Love hanging out with your furry family member? Our Parks’ Picks this week covers five things that pet parents can do with their four-legged friends in the parks during National Dog Month!

Dog Parks

Top on our list, of course, are dog parks! Your pooches can run, climb, and play off-leash with other canines at seven dog parks. The 22-thousand square foot dog park at Dewey Local Park is the newest. In the northern part of the county, the dog park at Ridge Road Recreational Park is about the same size, with a half-acre for people and their pets to run and enjoy the outdoors. Please observe dog park rules when onsite.

Trails

Dogs make the best trail buddies! Montgomery Parks has almost 270 miles of paved and natural surface trails. So, go hiking together. Wheaton Regional Park offers a four-mile trail network in the southern part of the county. Remember dogs are allowed on trails at Brookside Nature Center but not allowed at Brookside Gardens. In northern Montgomery County, consider spending a day with your best friend at Little Bennett Regional Park, which has twenty-five miles of natural surface trails. Check out other trails on our website. Please leash your pet at all times.

Camping

Dog parks and hiking are fun outdoor activities, but you may want to spend more time in nature with your canine. Go camping! Little Bennett Campground has tent sites, cabins, and yurts which allow family members with four legs.

Art

Take Fido or Fifi to an art class! Together, the two of you will create a MUTT-sterpiece at Paint with Your Pet. There are two events coming up: August 14, Cabin John Regional Park, 6:30 pm to 8:15 pm; and August 21, Dewey Local Park, 6:30 pm to 8:15 pm. So, sign up and bring out the PUP-casso in your dog.

Picnic

Finally, plan a picnic with your pooch! Pack a blanket, meal, and plenty of water for both of you. Find a shady spot at one of our 424 parks, then relax and spend quality quiet time with just the two of you. Search for a park in the Park Directory on our website.

Reminders

We hope you have lots of fun celebrating National Dog Month in the parks. Just a couple of reminders: Please keep your dog leashed at all times unless you are at a dog park. This protects you, your pet, and wildlife. Finally, pick up and pack out all dog waste then dispose of it in the nearest trash bin.

Montgomery Parks…it’s all here!
Art in the Parks - August 5, 2021

Did you know Montgomery Parks has art? This week’s Parks’ Picks has five pieces of public art you can visit and enjoy this weekend.



Red Orchard Wall

In the middle of Fenton Street Urban Park, at the edge of downtown Silver Spring, is a serpentine-shaped, apple-red aluminum sculpture, Red Orchard Wall. The piece is like the gateway to the small park and community garden.

Artist Michael Enn Sirvet, also a structural engineer, made that apple-red color intentional. The piece gives a nod to an apple orchard that was once at the location: “I wanted to interpret the lacy nature of the view one would have looking up through the canopy of an orchard of apple trees and recall the circular shapes of apples.”

The artwork was installed in the park in 2015.



Wind Harps

Red is also the prominent color of Wind Harps, the steel sculpture at Damascus Recreational Park. The piece, erected in 1991, is a landmark for the park.

The three painted arcs appear as if they shoot into the sky like fireworks. But, the energy is dampened with the soothing notes from the harp strings as wind blows through them.

Rodney Carroll said in his artist statement that the sound is “not unlike the alluvion harps of Shakespeare’s time. This cello-like music will be every varying with the natural rhythms of the wind.”



Untitled

Juan Pineda painted his Untitled murals at Dewey Local Park in fall 2020. The abstract, whimsical art brought smiles to faces during the bleak time of quarantine. In one mural, two enormous lovebirds sit on a branch surrounded with leaves, flowers, and colorful geometrics.

Pineda describes his style as “urban-contemporary street art.” He’s done many public murals in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia in the last thirty years.

The artist thinks “public art transforms a community in a positive way, emotionally and psychologically.”



Faces of Flower Avenue

Residents near Flower Avenue Urban Park may agree that Faces of Flower Avenue has brought good changes to the Long Branch neighborhood since its installation in 1992.

George Fishman wanted to showcase the real “flowers” of the park—its visitors. And, he portrayed them in his rounded column sculpture with porcelain and glass tiles. The Miami artist said in his original entry that the “contemporary parade of characters” will be intermingled with “’ ancestral’ images, drawn from masks, murals, and pottery of earlier centuries. These faces from the past will provide a distinguished setting for the faces of today.”

His work proposal, along with the column, also included plans for two mosaic tile tables and seats. Only the column remains for individuals to circle and enjoy the spiral of Faces of Flower Avenue.



Girl with a Hoop

When Elm Street Urban Park was dedicated in 1981, Nicholas and Dallas Read donated Girl with a Hoop to be the centerpiece of the new space. The gift also was in memory of their daughter, Jenny, who had created the piece in 1965.

Jenny Read grew up in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area and later moved to San Francisco to live a bohemian lifestyle and practice her art. Sadly, her life ended tragically in 1976—and much too soon—when she was found murdered in her studio. She was 29.

Her mother published a collection of her journals and letters in 1982 in the book Jenny Read—In Pursuit of Art and Life. One of Jenny’s early journal entries was a bucket list, and on it was to create a sculpture that would be around for “at least 100 years.” We think Girl with a Hoop will be here in 2081.

If you visit any art in our parks, share your pics on social media with @MontgomeryParks on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Montgomery Parks…it’s all here!
Park and Recreation Month Stories - July 29, 2021

We’ve had a lot of fun with you during Park and Recreation Month! And, we have loved reading and hearing your park stories so much that we wanted to share some in this week’s Parks’ Picks.

Jennifer and Melissa

Parents Jennifer (left, standing) and Melissa (right, kneeling) traveled this summer with their children from Ellicot City to ride the train and play at Cabin John Regional Park.

Jennifer told us, “I like that each park has something unique to offer. Parks give the kids a safe place to play and meet friends from different areas. And, I like the shady playground (at Cabin John Regional Park.)”

Melissa said, “I like to be adventurous and explore new places. Having the kids outside and respecting nature are important.”

Paulette

Paulette, a Howard County resident and former Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission employee, told us her park story at Wheaton Regional Park: “People need to get out and enjoy the beauty of parks. A lot of work goes into them.”

Sweet Family

We met the Sweet Family at Cabin John Regional Park, and their park stories were unanimous: “We love the train!”

Marci

Marci told us about a park story from her childhood. “My favorite park memory is going to Wheaton Regional Park, she said, “and riding the carousel when I was younger.”

Kate

Kate from Silver Spring said parks have helped her family a lot recently. “I live near Sligo Creek Trail and hiked and explored it every day this past year. It saved us during quarantine.”

Thanks for all your park stories and for making Park and Recreation Month an amazing time!

Montgomery Parks…it’s all here!
Summer Camp Openings - July 22, 2021

While the dog days of summer are upon us, there is still time for kids to enjoy the great experience of attending summer camp at Montgomery Parks! We still have spaces in multiple sessions of our sports camps. Here are our Parks’ Picks for camps that you can still register your kids for this summer.

Golf and So Much More

Do you have children between the ages of nine and fourteen who are interested in golf? Sign them up for a half-day or full-day camp session at South Germantown Driving Range. They will have the opportunity to play golf and also spend time participating in other field games and activities! There are still openings in our full-day camp session from Monday, July 26, through Friday, July 30, and in our half-day session that runs Monday, August 2, through Friday, August 6.

Totally Tennis Camp

Eight to fourteen-year olds will spend the week improving their tennis skills in a positive environment that fosters teamwork, self-confidence, and sportsmanship at Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center. We still have openings for our July 26 through July 30 and August 9 through August 13 camp sessions.

Week in the Park Camp

Join us for Week in the Park summer camp! Each day, campers will enjoy the beautiful amenities of Wheaton Regional Park by taking nature walks to Brookside Gardens, ice skating at the Wheaton Ice Arena, and enjoying whimsical rides at Wheaton Train and Carousel. Campers will also participate in traditional camp games and activities. There are still openings in the July 26 through July 30 and August 2 through August 6 sessions.

Nature Girls Virtual Online Camp

Girls ages nine through twelve will spend the week–Monday, August 9 through Friday, August 13– exploring careers in nature and getting inspired by the natural world. Each camper will receive a supplies kit for camp activities that can be done at home. The camp day will include a morning virtual session meeting professional nature women, hearing their stories, and getting to talk with them. After each session, there will be daily challenges and inspirations for campers to explore nature on their own or with their families.

Specialty Hockey and Ice Skating Camps

Kids can improve their skating and hockey skills during our week-long specialty camps. Check camp descriptions for skill and class prerequisites. Spaces are still available in multiple camps at Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena.

Montgomery Parks…It’s All Here!
Tips for Hiking with Kids - July 15, 2021

You want to get your children into nature. But, planning a hike and getting to the trail can be daunting, tiresome tasks. Montgomery Parks’ naturalists have these five tips in this week’s Parks’ Picks to make a family hike an enjoyable experience for both parents and kids.

Plan a Short Hike

Manage your expectations. A full day may be right for you but too much for the children. Jennifer Simms, a naturalist at Meadowside Nature Center and mother of two young children, says, “I count it as a success if I can get us all dressed and outside in nature.” So, go easy on yourself. Maybe hike for a couple of hours, have a snack, then head off to another activity or home for naptime.

Make the Hike Engaging

Use activities to help your children connect with nature. Simms asks her preschooler to use his senses while outdoors. What does he feel, hear or see? Maybe he sees a millipede, hears a woodpecker, or feels the wind. Glenn Rice of Maydale Nature Classroom recommends activities, like skipping rocks, clambering on logs, or racing twigs in a stream. He also finds that simple games can be fun and educational. Find a bunch of leaves and play a matching game or look for turtles and count them.

Let a Map Be Your Guide

Brookside Nature Center Manager Suzanne Bode suggests parents teach older children navigational skills and map reading. This can be done when preparing for your hike. Download trail maps on your phone or buy a traditional paper map. Upon arrival at the park or trail, orient yourselves using the map and take turns being the group leader. But, make sure all family members stay together.

Two boys holding a magnifying glass, look at the map, study nature trails for travel. Concept of child skills education

Go High Tech

We know how much children love borrowing parents’ phones to entertain themselves. Well, turn your phone into a nature resource. Meadowside Nature Center’s Jennifer Simms says the Seek map, created by iNaturalist, can be used to help identify wildlife, plants, and fungi. She points out that this helps her son “slow down and explore nature in a creative way. And, we love trying to learn one new plant or animal name each time.”

In summary, prepare, be realistic, then keep it simple and fun. Montgomery Parks…it’s all here.
Latino Conservation Week - July 8, 2021

Montgomery Parks joins community organizations to bring you a week full of free bilingual events for Latino Conservation Week. Check them out in this week’s Parks’ Picks!

We launch the week Saturday, July 17, with three events at three different parks. Join us for the cleanup at Broadacres Local Park in Silver Spring from 9 am to 11 am. Registration is appreciated, but walkups welcome. At Long Branch-Garland Neighborhood Park, enjoy a family-friendly nature walk and activities from 9 am to 11:30 am. Register, please. And, at Wheaton Local Park, take the kids on the StoryWalk® and read ¡Olinguito, de la Aa la Zz! as you stroll together. And, don’t worry if you miss the first day. The StoryWalk® will be up through Sunday, August 15!

Bring the family for some animal fun! On Tuesday, July 20 at 11:30 am, learn about Brookside Nature Center’s resident turtles. You must register.

Photographed by Francine Bethea

And, go fishing together Wednesday, July 21 from 9 am to 11 am, at Little Seneca Lake in Black Hill Regional Park. Registration is required.

The outdoor events continue with kayaking on Lake Needwood Thursday, July 22 from 3 pm and 5 pm. Participants must be at least age twelve, and you must register.

Then, on Friday, July 23 from 10 am to 12 pm, let your kids get a new perspective with tree climbing at Long Branch-Arliss Neighborhood Park. The children will scale trees safely with the help of our arborists. No registration is required. Just walk up and climb!

We wrap up the week with the park cleanup along Matthew Henson Trail on Saturday, July 24, from 9 am to 11 am. Please help keep our parks and trails clean and green. And, please make sure to sign up.

And, again, all events for Latino Conservation Week are bilingual and free!

Montgomery Parks..it’s all here!
Independence Day Weekend Activities - July 1, 2021

Spend the Independence Day weekend in Montgomery Parks! From family programs to boating to exercising on our Open Parkways and trails, there is something for everyone. Here are our Parks’ Picks for things to do over the long holiday weekend:

Ebird Walk

Join a Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard in Bethesda, naturalist on a birding excursion on Friday, July 2, from 5 to 6 pm, to explore the birds that call Cabin John Regional Park home. Help count and identify birds along the trails for submission to eBird, a community project dedicated to conserving our feathered friends.

Yoga at Brookside Gardens

Adults can start off the weekend with a yoga session in the peaceful setting of Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue in Wheaton, on Saturday, July 3, from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Participants will learn exercises to help increase flexibility and physical strength and cultivate mental focus.

Turtle Talk

Come visit the outdoor box turtle enclosure at Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue in Wheaton, on Saturday, July 3, from 10:30 to 11:30 am, to learn about the natural history and conservation challenges of these reptiles from our “Turtle Talker” volunteers. You will enjoy seeing our resident turtles explore the great outdoors.

Creature Feature

Join a naturalist at Brookside Nature Center to discover the animals living in and around Wheaton Regional Park. Discover the amazing adaptations and features of the different animals on display in the nature center. This program takes place from 1 to 1:30 pm both Saturday, July 3, and Sunday, July 4. Participants must register for each program session separately.

Fun on the Water

Explore nature on Little Seneca Lake at Black Hill Regional Park, 20920 Lake Ridge Drive in Boyds, or Lake Needwood at Rock Creek Regional Park, 15700 Needwood Lake Circle in Rockville. Rent a paddleboard (Black Hill only), kayak, canoe, pedal boat, or rowboat. Both facilities are open from 12 to 6 pm on Friday and 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Trails and Open Parkways

Get your steps in over the long holiday weekend on more than 250 miles of trails throughout the county. Choose from natural surface or paved trails that are located in all areas of the county.

Before leaving home, check RainoutLine on our website for trail status.

We will have extended hours on our Open Parkways for you to take a bike ride, a walk, or run this weekend. Sligo Creek Parkway (from Old Carroll Avenue and Piney Branch Road and Forest Glen Road to University Boulevard) and Beach Drive (from Connecticut Avenue to Knowles Avenue) will be closed to vehicle traffic from 9 am on Friday, July 2, to 7 am on Tuesday, July 6. Little Falls Parkway (between River Road and Arlington Road) will be open to pedestrians from 7 am on Saturday, July 3, through 7 am on Tuesday, July 6.

Montgomery Parks…It’s All Here!
Camping Tips - June 24, 2021
June is National Camping Month, and Montgomery Parks is home to two campgrounds: Little Bennett Campground, 23705 Frederick Road in Clarksburg, and Robert C. McDonnell Campground, 7701 Tuckerman Lane in Rockville, for you to enjoy! Here are our Parks’ Picks for tips to make your next camping trip more enjoyable:

Picking the Right Tent

Use a tent that is larger than the number of people in your group. For example, if you have four people camping, use a tent that sleeps six. Buy a three-season tent. Make sure it can be used for spring, summer, and fall. Waterproof your tent before camping. Search for “waterproofing tent” online and buy a sealant spray. Know how to set up your tent before arriving at the campground. Practice setting up the tent beforehand. This is also a good time to waterproof your tent.

Sleeping Needs

Bring an all-weather sleeping bag. Make sure it’s one that you can zip up, sleep on, or use as a blanket. Purchase a sleeping pad for extra comfort. You may also use this while practicing yoga at your campsite or as a seating surface for outdoors. Consider investing in an air mattress, particularly for adults. You want to be comfortable while sleeping.

Cooking Basics

Bring prepared foods. For example, cut up chicken at home to make kabobs. Bring simple foods, like hot dogs and canned foods. These are foods you just need to heat up.

Use one of three cooking methods.
- Charcoal grill: Bring your own grill. You may purchase charcoal at the Little Bennett Campground store.
- Propane camp stove: A two-burner stove is a good start. You can have a pot of water on one burner and a skillet on another.
- Campfire: Campfire rings are located at every campsite at Little Bennett Campground. Rings may be rented at Robert C. McDonnell Campground. See our campfire ring rentals page for more details. No outside wood is allowed on the campground. Wood may be purchased at the Little Bennett Campground camp store. Oh, don’t forget the marshmallows! They’re a camping must!
Things to Bring

Make your camping experience enjoyable by packing some basic items, like bug spray, sunscreen, flashlight and lanterns, medication, cooler, camping stove, cooking and eating utensils, and bags for trash and recycling. The campground has recycling bins onsite. For the onsite bathhouse, bring towels and toiletries. And, remember some games, like playing cards, to keep everyone entertained.

Forget something? The Little Bennett Campground store has many of these items.

Clothing

Be comfortable, warm, and dry during while camping. Remember to:

Dress for the season. Add layers. Have a sweater or sweatshirts for cool nights or days. Bring change of socks, underwear, and other garments. Pack shoes for the shower.

Camping Entertainment

What will you do for fun?

Pack some card games (rummy, poker, spades, Uno). Little Bennett Campground store card games in stock. Enjoy endless activities at Little Bennett Campground, including crafts, movie nights, and traditional group games, like kickball and dodgeball. Also, play on the jumping pillow, pedal karts, basketball court, and small children’s playground.

We look forward to seeing you at our campgrounds!

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Celebrate Pride Month - June 17, 2021

June is Pride Month. It’s the time to celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) community, show support, and learn more about being an ally.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) just released its statement about diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the workplace:

“….Diversity combined with a commitment to equity and inclusion communicates our organizational values, enriches the lives of our employees, and bolsters innovative thinking essential to success…..

To commemorate Pride Month, Montgomery Parks partnered with MoCo Pride Center to invite Montgomery County residents to the Summer of Love Pride Walk on Sunday, June 27, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreational Park.

The event includes an almost one-mile loop on a paved, pride-themed trail. Along the way, take pics at the butterfly field, chalk art, and other areas. Then, join the fun in the picnic area. Spread out a blanket, dance to music with DJ Confetti the First, play lawn games, and grab a bite from onsite food trucks, or enjoy your own picnic dinner.

Free event, but registration is required.

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Summer Activities - June 10, 2021

Public schools are out June 16, and summer officially begins four days later! Our Parks’ Picks this week helps you plan summer activities so your family can play and keep cool, engaged, and entertained this month.

Water Play

Let the kids run, jump, and play in the cool sprays at South Germantown SplashPark and MiniGolf, 10856 Central Park Circle, in Boyds. Afterward some long water play, enjoy a round, or two, of miniature golf. The facility is open weekends, 10 am to 6 pm. Beginning June 19, the SplashPark and MiniGolf will be open daily at the same hours.

Paddling on the Water

Get exercise and explore nature along the shores of our lakes by paddling or pedaling. Rent a kayak, canoe, rowboat, or pedal boat at Lake Needwood Boats, 15700 Needwod Lake Circle, in Rockville. You can rent the same but also paddle boards at Black Hill Boats, 20920 Lake Ridge Drive, in Boyds.

Both facilities are open this weekend from 10 am to 6 pm. Beginning June 17, Lake Needwood Boats will be open every Thursday to Friday, 12 pm to 6 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, and Black Hill Boats’ hours will be each Tuesday to Friday, 12 pm to 6 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm.

Chugging through the Parks

If you want a more leisurely trip, take a ride on our miniature trains. Cabin John Train, 7410 Tuckerman Lane in Rockville, is open this weekend Friday, 3 to 6 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm. The facility expands its schedule beginning June 22 and will be open Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm.

Wheaton Train and Carousel’s hours currently are Friday, 3 to 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 7 pm. However, its hours expand also beginning June 22 and will be open Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 6 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 7 pm. The facility is located at 2002 Shorefield Road in Wheaton.

Planning a birthday party or other special event for your children this summer? The trains’ party rooms are available for rentals!

It’s N-ice Indoors

Keep fit and stay cool with the family during public skating at our indoor ice centers! No need to have your own skates. You can rent them onsite! Check public skating schedules on our website for Cabin John Ice Rink, 10610 Westlake Drive in Rockville, and Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Avenue in Wheaton.

And, check out our ice rinks’ party rooms! They are open for weekend bookings!

Nature Inside and Outside

Bring the family to visit exhibits, like our resident animal ambassadors, and enjoy programs weekends at our centers! Three are open every Saturday and Sunday: Black Hill Nature Programs at Black Hill Visitor Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive in Boyds, 12 to 4 pm; Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue in Wheaton, 1 to 5 pm; and Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard in Bethesda, 1 to 6 pm. Meadowside Nature Center currently is closed for renovations. When buildings are closed, you can explore outdoors and enjoy nearby trails and natural play areas.

Photographed by Francine Bethea

Playground Exploration

Liven up your children’s play experience! Discover a new playground, or more, every day this summer. This playground is located at Battery Lane Urban Park in Bethesda. We have 279 playgrounds within our 424 parks. Visit our Parks Directory to start planning your playground exploration.

Summer Camps and Programs

Registration is still open for our summer camps. We have camps for all your children’s interests. Visit the Summer Camps Guide then sign up on ActiveMONTGOMERY.

Can’t commit to a five-day week camp? We offer summer programs from golf to gardening! Check out the Summer Program Guide then register.

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Juneteenth - June 4, 2021

Celebrate Juneteenth with Montgomery Parks.

Observed on June 19, the event commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. You may know Juneteenth by other names, such as Liberation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, or Emancipation Day. While it’s not a national holiday, Juneteenth is a recognized holiday among forty-seven states, including Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road in North Bethesda, kicks off Freedom Well Celebration Week to celebrate both Juneteenth and Reverend Josiah Henson’s birthday. Josiah Henson, Celebrating His Legacy on Tuesday, June 15, 6 pm, is a free virtual event, featuring performances by the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices and a panel discussion with national museum leaders, educators, and historians. Register by June 14 at 5 pm.

Freedom Well Celebration Week continues at Josiah Henson Museum and Park with the Freedom Well Chalk Walk on Saturday, June 19, from 12 to 4 pm. Josiah Henson promised, upon arriving in Canada, to use his freedom well. Learn about Henson’s journey to freedom through the interactive chalk walk and seed stick station. And, add your freedom story to the freedom mural. Admission to the Josiah Henson Museum will be free during the event.

Finally, Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue in Wheaton, invites you to Celebrating Juneteenth: African American Cooking Traditions on Saturday, June 19, 1 to 3 pm, at Harper’s Homestead cabin. Culinary volunteer Nicole Thomas gives a hearth cooking demonstration and shares the history, nutrition, and culture of African American foods. Free! Please register by June 18 at 5 pm.

Join us as we make Juneteenth a day of joy. Montgomery Parks…it’s all here!
Memorial Day Weekend - May 27, 2021

Rain and sun are in the forecast for Memorial Day weekend, so Montgomery Parks has you covered with many indoor and outdoor events and activities to enjoy Friday, May 28, to Monday, May 31. Here are our Parks’ Picks for fun in Montgomery Parks this weekend:

Indoor Activities

Historical Sites

Explore Montgomery County history at our historical sites. Reserve a timed entry ticket for the Josiah Henson Museum and Park. It is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Take a self-guided tour of the Woodlawn Museum at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. Buy tickets onsite at the visitor center. The Woodlawn Museum and visitor center are open Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm.

Tennis Centers

Get your heart pumping and practice your serve at Wheaton Indoor Tennis or Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center. Wheaton Indoor Tennis is open Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm. Pauline Betz Addie is open Friday from 6 am to 11 pm and Saturday from 6 am to 9 pm. Both facilities are closed Monday, May 31.

Outdoor Activities

South Germantown SplashPark and Mini Golf

Splash around in the water features or challenge yourself to a game of miniature golf at South Germantown SplashPark and Mini Golf. The park opens for the season on Saturday, May 29. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm and will be open weekends only through June 18.

Boating at Little Seneca Lake and Lake Needwood

Get out on the open water and rent a kayak, canoe, rowboat, paddle board, or pedal boat at Little Seneca Lake in Black Hill Regional Park or Lake Needwood in Rock Creek Regional Park. Rentals open for the season on Saturday, May 29, and are available on weekends and Memorial Day from 10 am to 5 pm through June 18.

Camping

Escape to nature this weekend and go camping at Little Bennett Campground or Robert C. McDonnell Campground. Choose from cabins or yurts (only at Little Bennett) or campsites for your holiday getaway. At Little Bennett Campground, participate in guided nature hikes, laser tag and make your own tie dye t-shirts and red, white and blue bracelets over the weekend.

Weekend Programs

Play Day in the Park

Explore the exciting natural world around the Black Hill Visitor Center on Friday, May 28, from 10 am to 2 pm, during the free Play Day in the Park. Families can explore at their own pace using nature play prompts that will remain out for the duration of the program. This program is part of our Nature For All programming for patrons of all abilities.

Yoga at Brookside Gardens

Adults can start off the weekend with a yoga session in the peaceful setting of Brookside Gardens on Saturday, May 29, from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Participants will learn exercises to help increase flexibility and physical strength and cultivate mental focus.

DIY Nature: Mid-century Modern Plant Stand

Come join us on Sunday, May 30, at Brookside Nature Center from 2 to 4 pm, as we enjoy the fresh air, work with our hands, and tap into our creative side. We will complete a project using a mixture of salvaged, recycled, and new materials.

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Best Spots to Picnic in the Parks - May 20, 2021

Warm weather is here and it’s the perfect time to picnic in the parks! Here are our Parks Picks for our top spots to have a picnic in Montgomery Parks.

Battery Lane Urban Park

Enjoy a picnic at Battery Lane Urban Park, 4960 Battery Lane, near downtown Bethesda. The park features picnic tables alongside a basketball court, tennis court, accessible playground, fitness station, and plenty of open space to enjoy the outdoors.

Blueberry Hill Local Park

Blueberry Hill Local Park, 16617 Bethayres Road, in Derwood boasts a covered picnic shelter that is available to rent. There is also a softball field, soccer field, lighted tennis courts, basketball court, and a playground.

Greenbriar Local Park

Picnic in the shade under the stone and cedar picnic shelter at Greenbriar Local Park, 12525 Glen Road, in Travilah. This 25-acre park, which opened in 2016, offers two themed playgrounds, where visitors can learn about watersheds, Maryland geography, and wildlife of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay areas while playing or getting some exercise.

Maydale Conservation Park

Pack a picnic basket and spend the day at Maydale Conservation Park, 1638 Maydale Drive, in Colesville. After eating, explore the park’s trails or see what’s living in one of the park’s two ponds. There is also a campfire ring you can rent.

Picnic in the Park

Gather a group of friends or family and support local restaurants while picnicking in the park. Order food from a participating restaurant and it will be delivered right to you at one of nine parks in Montgomery County. The Picnic in the Park program is a partnership with Visit Montgomery’s MoCo Eats.

Looking for more places to have a picnic? Check out our directory of 424 parks.

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May is National Photography Month - May 13, 2021

Have a picture-perfect weekend in Montgomery Parks! May is National Photography Month. So, we have put together six locations to snap beautiful spring photographs.

Black Hill Regional Park

Let Little Seneca Lake at Black Hill Regional Park inspire you. The view of the lake is breathtaking from the deck of the Black Hill Visitor Center for sunrise and sunset shots. Get closer to the shores to grab a photo of a bird, turtle, fish, or other wildlife. And, don’t forget other views and angles of the lake from the trails. Black Hill Regional Park is located at 29030 Lake Ridge Drive in Boyds.

Rock Creek Regional Park

Rock Creek Regional Park, 15700 Needwood Lake Circle in Rockville, offers many photo opportunities for lakes, trails, and animals. Arrive early and capture the morning mist on Lake Needwood. Look for raptors among the trees or grabbing dinner at Pine Lake. Find a spot, be still for a while, and foxes, deer, groundhogs, or other mammals may cross your path.

Wheaton Regional Park

You can spend an entire day immersing yourself in the natural beauty of Wheaton Regional Park, 2000 Shorefield Road in Wheaton. Explore colors and textures at Brookside Gardens. Take in the view of the Gude Garden from the Japanese teahouse. Get online tickets to enter the Conservatory and zoom in the amazing plants and displays inside. Want a different angle? See the park through your lens while riding the train at Wheaton Train and Carousel.

McCrillis Gardens

Tucked away in a Bethesda residential neighborhood, McCrillis Gardens, 6910 Greentree Road in Bethesda, may be the secret garden in your dreams. Each turn of a path through lush green woodlands and naturalistic gardens brings a discovery and perhaps soft exclamations of joy as you quickly grab your camera to record the moment.

Agricultural History Farm Park

For rural and architectural pictures, visit Agricultural History Farm Park, 18400 Muncaster Road in Derwood. Take in the lines of the big red barn and farmhouse. Peer through your lens and capture the moods and antics of the farm animals. The golden hour lights up crops and lets you play with shadows.

Blockhouse Point Conservation Park and Trail

Finally, Blockhouse Point Conservation Park, 14750 River Road in Darnestown, has breathtaking sights of the Potomac River and C and O Canal. And, enjoy wildflowers along the way, like mountain laurels, a spring bloom.

Just a note that personal photography is allowed within the parks. However, Brookside Gardens requires a photo permit for portrait photography, and Agricultural History Farm Park has photo permits for posed photography.

We hope you enjoy these things to do and places to go for National Photography Month around Montgomery Parks in Montgomery County, Maryland.

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Mother's Day Weekend - May 6, 2021

Celebrate mom all weekend long in Montgomery Parks! Here are our Parks’ Picks for fun activities to do in the parks with mom:

Harmony with Hummingbirds

It’s that time of year when hummingbirds start returning to Cabin John Regional Park! Learn about these tiny, busy birds and ways you can attract them to your own backyard in this free virtual program on Friday, May 7, from 3:30 to 4 pm.

Photo Credit: Hummingbird – Narcah, Flickr, CC 2.0

Picnic in the Park

Treat mom to a picnic in the park this weekend! Enjoy some fresh air and support our local restaurants. Place your food order with a participating restaurant and it will be delivered to you at one of our nine participating parks.

Brookside Gardens

Spend the afternoon (or day) at Brookside Gardens. See the gardens in full bloom, reserve a timed-entry ticket for the conservatory, or visit the “Facets of Hope” exhibit honoring the memory of Montgomery County citizens who have died of COVID-19.

Public Skating

Take mom for a spin on the ice at Cabin John Ice Rink or Wheaton Ice Arena during public skate sessions. Check the ice rink websites for session times and register on ActiveMONTGOMERY.org.

Trains and Carousel

All aboard! Take a ride with mom on the Wheaton Train and Carousel or Cabin John Train this weekend. Both are open Friday through Sunday. Purchase tickets in advance on ActiveMONTGOMERY.org.

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May is National Bike Month - April 29, 2021

May is National Bike Month. So, take your wheels in for a tune up and get ready to explore these five places in Montgomery Parks.

Open Parkways

Our car-free streets are the ideal places to enjoy a bike ride with friends or family in May. Every Friday at 9am to Sunday at 6pm sections of Beach Drive (Connecticut Avenue to Knowles Avenue) and Sligo Creek Parkway (University Boulevard West to Forest Glen Road and Piney Branch Road to Old Carroll Avenue) are closed to motor vehicles and open to people biking, walking, and running. Little Falls Parkway (Arlington Road to River Road) is open for biking, walking, and running starting on Saturdays at 7 am until 6 pm on Sundays.

Cabin John Trails

Plan a trip on our trails. Cabin John Regional Park has slightly more than three easy miles of natural and hard surface trails. The trail undulates as it parallels Cabin John Creek. Easiest access to the trails is from parking lots off Democracy Boulevard and Tuckerman Lane. For more natural surface trails, continue on nearly nine miles of Cabin John Stream Valley Park trails.

Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail

Pack a lunch and water and head out on a day trip on the Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail. The hard surface trail extends about eighteen miles through Rock Creek Regional Park from the Washington, DC, border north to Lake Needwood. Despite scattered hilly parts, the trail is good for all skill levels.

Magruder Branch Trail

Starting your journey in the northern part of Montgomery County? Consider trails through Magruder Branch Stream Valley Park near Damascus. The four-mile hard surface trail, a mostly flat ride with some steep grades along the way, has views of upland forests and provide birding opportunities. The three-mile natural surface trail winds through wetlands, fields, and woodlands.

Northwest Branch Trail

Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park offers an asphalt trail south of the Capital Beltway. There are natural surface trails, but the trail on the west side of stream is open to all bicyclists, hikers and equestrians, while the trail on the east side is for hikers only. Check out the newest trail, Copperhead Run, — a favorite of mountain bicyclists, — which begins at the Colesville Road entrance near Burnt Mills East and heads south parallel to the Northwest Branch Trail.

Visit the Trails page on our website for more information. Another online source for trip planning is AllTrails.

Montgomery Parks…it’s all here!
What to Do This Weekend: April 23-25

Explore nature, learn about our resident turtles, experience the Agricultural History Farm Park in a quiet setting, and get inspired by Middle Eastern art at Brookside Gardens. Here are our Parks’ Picks for this weekend April 23 to April 25.

Play Day in the Park

Explore the exciting natural world around the Black Hill Visitor Center on Friday, April 23, from 10 am to 2 pm, during the free Play Day in the Park. Families can explore at their own pace using nature play prompts that will remain out for the duration of the program. This program is part of our Nature For All programming for patrons of all abilities.

Turtle Talk

Visit the outdoor box turtle enclosure at Brookside Nature Center and learn about the natural history and conservation challenges of this reptile from our “Turtle Talker” volunteers on Saturday, April 24, from 2:30 to 3:30 pm.

Nature Hunt

Play “I Spy” in the great outdoors! Drop by the Black Hill Visitor Center on Saturday, April 24, between 1 and 3 pm to pick up a scavenger sheet and get some helpful hints before heading out on your hunt for natural treasures. When you finish, come back to the visitor center and collect your prize! Nature Hunt is a free program.

Sensory Sunday

Take part in our Sensory Sunday program at the Agricultural History Farm Park. Kids and families will enjoy a gentle time of hands-on learning, meeting the farm animals, experiencing outdoor exhibits, and exploring tactile activities and crafts. Register for the 8 am, 11 am, or 2 pm session for this free Sunday, April 25, program.

Middle Eastern American Artists in the Garden and Beyond Exhibit

This is the last weekend to visit the “Middle Eastern American Artists in the Garden and Beyond” exhibit at Brookside Gardens that showcases Middle Eastern artists and their artwork. The display is presented in partnership with the Middle Eastern American Advisory Group of the Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships. The exhibition includes diverse artistic styles from traditional still life, illumination, calligraphy, landscapes, neo-expressionism, abstract expressionism, figurative painting, and surrealism.

Acrylic Painting on Canvas by Mariam Hathor titled “Intrusive Thoughts”

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What to Do This Weekend: April 16-18

Planning your weekend? We have five activities for you in our Parks’ Picks happening Friday, April 16, to Sunday, April 18.

Public Skating

Lace up! Public skating is back at our indoor ice centers. Visit our website for public skating schedules for Wheaton Ice Arena and Cabin John Ice Rink.

Miniature Trains and Carousel

Let’s roll and spin! Our miniature trains and the Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel are now open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! Due to reduced capacity for COVID-19 safety, tickets are limited. So, buy tickets in advance online for Cabin John Train and Wheaton Train and Carousel.

Amazing Amphibians and Rocking Reptiles

Do your children love animal encounters? Then, tune in to Locust Grove Nature Center’s virtual Amazing Amphibians and Rocking Reptiles this Friday, April 16, at 3:30 pm. Meet the center’s reptilian and amphibious ambassadors during this free thirty-minute program.

Sensory Sunday

Agricultural History Farm Park presents Sensory Sunday for Autism Awareness and Appreciation Month. The program has a gentle, quiet atmosphere filled with hands-on learning, farm animals, outdoor exhibits, and tactile activities and crafts for all curious minds. Register for either the 8 am, 11 am, or 2 pm session on this Sunday, April 18.

Native Plant Sales

Take a moment of downtime this weekend to shop at our Native Plant Sales. Online shopping is open for the Maydale Nature Classroom sale. You can call in your order this Sunday, April 18, with Locust Grove Nature Center. The Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs Annual Native Plant Sale begins April 29 for members then opens to the public April 30 to May 2.

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Earth Month: Plants - April 8, 2021

This Earth Month, we are excited about plants! In this week’s Parks’ Picks, we have five opportunities to get involved with plants through community science, art, and gardening, and to just enjoy their beauty.

Native Plant Sales

Purchase native species and help support programs at Black Hill Nature Programs, Locust Grove Nature Center, and Maydale Nature Classroom.

Maydale Nature Classroom online sales are underway now. Locust Grove Nature Center phone sales are April 11, 15, 18, and 25 from 10 am to 4 pm. The in-person sale at Locust Grove is May 8 and 9. Online orders begin for Friends of Black Hill members April 29, and the sale opens to the public April 30 through May 2.

Brookside Gardens Tulips

See the spring colors come to life at Brookside Gardens. The tulips are coming into bloom and will be at peak color this weekend.

“Ask an Arborist” Facebook Live

Were you able to sign up for a slot to receive a free tree seedling at one of our giveaways this month? Or have you picked up your own tree seedling at your local nursery for spring planting? Not sure of the best way to plant the young trees?

Montgomery Parks’ Urban Forester Andy Driscoll gives some planting tips.

Catch our “Ask an Arborist” Facebook Live Friday, April 30 at 12:15 pm, where we will talk about pruning, pests and diseases and other tree care topics.

Photo Credit: Flickr, Olga Nohra, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Take and Make It: Fabulous Flowers

Stop by the Black Hill Visitor Center on Sunday, April 25, from 1:30 to 3 pm, and pick up a craft kit to work on at home. The craft kit is all about fabulous spring flowers! Kits include instructions and most supplies needed for the craft.

Become a Community Scientist in Your Own Backyard – Join the City Nature Challenge

Join Locust Grove Nature Center naturalist Jackie Raiford for a virtual lecture on Thursday, April 15, from 7 to 8 pm to learn how to use the iNaturalist app to submit your own nature observations when you participate in the City Nature Challenge. By submitting photos of wildlife and plants through the iNaturalist app, you contribute to important ecological studies that help scientists better understand the plants and animals of our local landscape.

Montgomery Parks…It’s All Here!
Earth Month - April 1, 2021

April is Earth Month. And, we have five ways you can celebrate and be kind to the planet.

Arbor Day

Montgomery Parks’ arborists want to share their love for and knowledge of trees this month. And, they’re doing that with two Facebook Lives and their Seedling Giveaways!

Follow Montgomery Parks on Facebook so you can catch the Facebook Live on Wednesday, April 7, 12:15 pm, to learn about the planting and care of tree seedlings. Then, on Friday, April 30, 12:15 pm, to learn tree care tips, like pruning and mulching. The arborists will take your tree questions live! And, you’ll see our arborists at their Seedling Giveaways on Saturday, April 10, 8 am to 12 pm, at Black Hill Regional Park, and Saturday, April 17, 8 am to 12 pm, at Olney Manor Recreational Park. Visit our Earth Month page to register for one giveaway. Then, plant your little tree, follow the arborists’ advice, and you’ll enjoy your tree for years to come.

Native Plant Sales

Making plans to update your yard this spring? Add native plants. You’ll find them at our Native Plant Sales. Order online for plant sales at Maydale Nature Center, Locust Grove Nature Center, and Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs then register for pickup dates. Or, stop by Locust Grove Nature Center to buy plants at its in-person sale on Saturday, May 8, and Sunday, May 9.

City Nature Challenge

Discover more about the plants and animals around you during the City Nature Challenge Friday, April 30, through Sunday, May 9. Become a community scientist and join others from around the world using the iNaturalist app to make nature observations, take photos, and identify species. Learn more about this global event during the free online program “Become a Community Scientist in Your Own Backyard – Join the City Nature Challenge” on Thursday, April 15, at 7 pm.

Cleanups

Keep our parks green and clean by joining a cleanup during Earth Month. Sign up for a Montgomery Parks or watershed group cleanup, or organize one of your own. Cleanups are approved for Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. You can also make a difference by plogging. When you pick up litter as you walk or jog, you are PLOGGING! Sign up for the Plogging Challenge, a partnership between Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and Montgomery Parks, and pick up trash to earn prizes!

GreenFest

Finally, Montgomery Parks is proud to be a partner of Montgomery County GreenFest. This year, the event offers free online programs and in-person activities throughout the month of April. Learn a new skill, like creating compost for your yard, or watch documentaries from the DC Environmental Film Festival then join panel discussions about plastic pollution and environmental justice and communities of color.

Be greener and be kind to nature this Earth Month.

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Spring Break Activities - March 25, 2021

Next week is spring break for Montgomery County Public School students, and there’s no better way to spend the time off than exploring Montgomery Parks. From skating and golf clinics to nature programs to open spaces, Montgomery Parks has something for adults and children to enjoy. Here are five activities for you to do next week in our Parks’ Picks.

Ice Skating and Hockey Clinics

Lace up your skates and improve your skating and hockey skills in our spring break clinics at Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena. And, just a friendly reminder, we are not holding public skate sessions at this time.

Golf

Work on your golf swing at South Germantown Driving Range. Take advantage of weekday lunch hour and early morning weekend specials.

Or, receive professional instruction from our instructors during one of our golf clinics:
Ladies Clinic – Monday, March 29, 6 to 7 pm
Junior Golf Clinic – Thursday, April 1, 6:30 to 7:30 pm, and Saturday, April 3, 1 to 2 pm

Nature Programs

Explore the outdoors during family-friendly programs throughout the week:

Not So Early Birding – Sunday, March 28, 10 to 11 am
Learn birding basics from binocular use to identifying birds by field marks and aptly describing their position in yonder tree during this family-friendly program.

Crafty Little Naturalist – Wednesday, March 31, 10 to 11 am
Join a Brookside Nature Center Naturalist, who will lead participants in a nature craft creation to make and take home.

Parents, enjoy some time without the kids during our adults-only programs.

Let’s Hike: Wheaton Regional Park – Saturday, April 3, 10:30 am to 12 pm
Wear your hiking boots and dress for the outdoors and don’t forget your water and trail snacks as you join a park naturalist for this adults-only two to three mile hike to explore the trails of Wheaton Regional Park.

DIY Nature: Boho Dream Catcher Style Plant Stand – Saturday, April 3, 2 to 4 pm
Come join us as we enjoy the fresh air, work with our hands and tap into our creative side and complete a project using a mixture of salvaged, recycled and used materials..

Brookside Gardens

Take a stroll through Brookside Gardens and watch the springtime colors come to life.

And, visit our “Facets of Hope” exhibit to reflect on and remember the more than 1,400 Montgomery County residents who have died from COVID-19 this past year.

Open Parkways

Go for a run or take a family walk or bike ride on our Open Parkways. Portions of Sligo Creek and Beach Drive are open for exercise from 9 am on Fridays through Sundays at 6 pm. Starting Saturday, March 27, portions of Little Falls Parkway will also be open Saturdays at 7 am through Sundays at 6 pm.

Montgomery Parks…it’s all here
Signs of Spring: Animals - March 18, 2021

Spring begins Saturday, March 20. There are many signs already that the new season is here. Wildflowers, like snowdrops and daffodils, are blooming. Many animals are announcing their arrivals with calls and croaks, as they emerge from dormancy (or hibernation) and mate.

Spring not only can be a time for joy, but also a time to challenge us. We’ve worked with our wildlife ecologists to come up with five signs of spring to look and listen for, and to be cautious about, in this week’s Parks’ Picks.

Frogs

Frogs are one of the first sounds of spring. And, you probably have heard the love song lately of the male spring peeper hoping to swoon nearby females.

Frogs (and toads) lay eggs in small seasonal pools (vernal pools) and other wetlands. Please, listen and watch these amorous amphibians, but do not pick them up. Also, use your eyes only to enjoy the eggs and their many changes. Check out this resource for information about local species.

Snakes

Another arrival is slithering or sunning near our rocky areas, ponds, rivers, and streams. Copperheads and other snakes are active particularly through April and May, as they seek potential mates and to regulate their body temperature by warming up in the sun on cool, spring days

The eastern copperhead is the only venomous snake in Montgomery County and is well-camouflaged to blend in with the forest floor. This is one good reason to stay on our trails and not go exploring where an unassuming copperhead could be easily missed.

However, you may see one on your hike. If you do, observing from a safe distance and never attempt to handle a snake. Remain vigilant. Most snake strikes and bites occur through their own self-defense. Usually, this defense comes as a result of being stepped on or intentionally handled.

And, remember it is illegal in Maryland to kill any snake.

Visit our website for more information about copperheads and other snakes.

Turtles

Another reptile on the move this spring is the turtle. You may encounter the eastern box turtle in the parks or on the trails. But, you may also see one crossing a road, particularly during May and June when females are seeking nesting sites. If you want to help the animal, move the turtle gently across the road to the side and point it in the direction it was moving.

Bears

Montgomery County occasionally gets a large, furry visitor in mid-spring. Young black bears may pass through in May and June. Here are three tips, if you see one: Keep your distance, and back away slowly. Keep your dog leashed. And, ping us on social media with any photos and location information so our wildlife ecologists can keep tabs on the animal’s presence. You can get lots of great information about living with black bears on our website.

Photo: Flickr, gainesp2003, CC By-NC 2.0.

Babies

We will see more babies in the parks soon. Well, more of the four-legged kind. Lots of babies will be born! Coyotes will give birth to pups, deer to fawns, and eastern cottontails to kits.

While in the parks, you may see some of the little ones by themselves. Don’t panic. Sometimes parents leave the babies alone while they go off to look for food.

Many people are sad and think the young is abandoned, especially when stumbling across a fawn or rabbit litter. Our wildlife ecologists advise to leave the babies alone. Any act to help may do more harm than good.

Check out this new resource on our website to find out more information about encountering wildlife.

Now, go outdoors and enjoy wildlife in the parks this spring.

Montgomery Parks, it’s all here.
Good Sportsmanship Month - March 11, 2021

Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed March Good Sportsmanship Month in Maryland. To celebrate, we have rounded up the top five places within Montgomery Parks to show off your athletic prowess and practice good sportsmanship skills.

Tennis Centers

Work on your serve during lessons, round robin play, and spot time year-round at Wheaton Indoor Tennis and Pauline Betz Addie Indoor Tennis.

Follow these tips from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to show good sportsmanship skills, while playing on the court.

Ice Rinks

Glide across the ice and take ice skating or hockey lessons at Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena.

Show your good sportsmanship by following this piece of advice from Cabin John Ice Rink Skating Director Jenni Cashen.

South Germantown Driving Range

Perfect your golf swing at South Germantown Driving Range. Take advantage of the early bird specials on Saturday and Sunday mornings and lunch specials during the week. The driving range is open year-round and features 33 elevated tees, a putting green, and a sand bunker.

Wheaton Sports Pavilion

Reserve Wheaton Sports Pavilion for your next lacrosse or soccer practice session or game. The facility’s covered synthetic turf field is lighted and is the perfect place to play, when weather conditions don’t allow for outdoor games or practices to be held.

Athletic Fields

We are taking athletic field reservations for low and medium-risk sports (soccer, baseball, cricket, softball, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse, field hockey) practices and games. These fields are available for both adult and youth sports league use.

Join the fun and get out and play in Montgomery Parks!
Women's History Month - March 4, 2021

To mark Women’s History Month, we want to highlight five of our parks named for local leaders, scientists, farmers, and educators. Then, we hope you will visit the parks and remember them and their contributions.

Rachel Carson Conservation Park

Biologist Rachel Carson wrote her acclaimed book Silent Spring from her Silver Spring home in 1962. The work made Americans more ecologically aware and sparked the modern environmental movement. In 1977, the Montgomery Planning Board approved a staff recommendation to name a new “wild park” for the scientist.

Photo Credit: Department of Agriculture, Flickr, CC PDM 1.0.

Rachel Carson Conservation Park is a 650-acre park dedicated not only to environmental preservation but also to quiet enjoyment of nature. There are six miles of natural surface trails for hiking and equestrian use.

Lois Y. Green Conservation Park

Lois Y. Green donated 250 acres of her property, formerly known as Turkey Thicket Farm, to Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) forty-six years ago.

Photo Credit: M-NCPPC Archives

Lois Y. Green directed to M-NCPPC that the land “… shall be used as an open space, for parkland, and for recreation in such a manner as to evidence the conservation of soil, water, woods, and wildlife… and shall be maintained essentially in its natural condition…”

Today, Lois Y. Green Conservation Park, has four miles of trails and is an oasis in a highly-developed area in the northern part of the county.

Edith Throckmorton Neighborhood Park

Edith Throckmorton was an educator and civil rights activist. She taught in Montgomery County Public Schools for twenty-five years as a teacher and principal. And, she was president of the local chapter of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1962 to 1977.

Photo Credit: Montgomery History.

Montgomery Parks acquired the park property from the Ken-Gar Civic Association in the 1992, and, at the time, already was named for Edith Throckmorton. Edith Throckmorton Neighborhood Park is pocket park, being only one-fifth of an acre, and plans are underway for renovations.

Caroline Freeland Urban Park

Caroline Freeland Urban Park is just off downtown Bethesda with a playground, open shelter, and benches.

Photo Credit: Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Archives

The park is named for the first woman to chair M-NCPPC. Caroline Freeland served from 1963 to 1971, and, during her leadership, Montgomery Parks more than doubled in size—from 7,600 to 16,000 acres.

Opal Daniels Neighborhood Park

Opal A. Daniels Neighborhood Park is tucked away in a residential neighborhood in Takoma Park with an oval-shaped field, playground, grill, and gazebo.

The citizens of Takoma Park asked that the park be renamed for Opal A. Daniels, who had served on the town’s recreation council for forty years.

Photo Credit: Historic Takoma, Daniels Family Collection

In 1988, Montgomery Planning Board approved the name change from Sheridan-Hancock Neighborhood Park to Opal A. Daniels Memorial Park to honor her “exceptional merit.”

These women played major roles in building today’s county and park system. Remember and honor them when you spend time in these parks.
Best Fishing Spots - February 25, 2021

Year-round fishing is allowed in our streams, ponds, and lakes, unless otherwise noted by signs. This week, we have five Parks’ Picks for best fishing spots around Montgomery Parks.

Before heading out on your angling adventures, remember to follow state fishing guidelines. Individuals sixteen and older must have a Maryland freshwater fishing license. Visit Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ website for license information, fees, and fishing regulations.

Black Hill Regional Park

Little Seneca Lake is a popular place for fishing. Anglers will find largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie, tiger muskie, and yellow perch. You can throw in your hook from the shores daily or from a private boat March 1 to December 15. Apply for a daily or seasonal permit at ActiveMONTGOMERY.org or deposit daily permit fees in onsite boxes. From late May to September, you can rent rowboats, kayaks, and canoes at Black Hill Boats.

Rock Creek Regional Park

Rock Creek Regional Park has two favorite fishing areas: Lake Needwood and Lake Frank. Both are home to largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and bluegill. In the spring, Lake Needwood is stocked with trout. Bring a chair and spend some time on the shores casting and, hopefully, reeling in dinner. Like Little Seneca Lake, you can fish from a private boat late winter to later fall on Lake Needwood or rent a boat at Lake Needwood Boats in the summer.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreational Park

Looking for a less crowded, quieter site? Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreational Park is in southern Montgomery County and has a small lake waiting just for you. It is stocked with trout, among other fish.

Wheaton Regional Park

Wheaton Regional Park’s Pine Lake is a favorite with anglers. You can fish from the high paved walkway or on the grass closer to the water.

Streams

While our lakes and ponds are great fishing spots, don’t forget our streams. They have lots of aquatic life and are great areas for maybe just practicing your fishing skills. Remember, please follow posted guidelines, if there are no fishing signs.

And, this time of year, a reminder to be careful with ice on our lakes, ponds, and streams. For your safety, never venture onto any ice.

So, get a license and grab your tackle and pole and go fishing! Montgomery Parks…it’s all here!
Winter Activities - February 18, 2021

Montgomery Parks offers a variety of programs and events to keep you active during the winter months. Check out our Parks Picks of the top five activities happening at our parks and nature centers:

Hikes

Friday Hike it Out – Friday, February 19

Join us at Meadowside Nature Center and chill and listen to the world’s first disc jockey (DJ): nature. Hike with new friends, take care of yourself after a long week, and practice being present in nature by engaging your senses. We will notice the work and interactions of wild things on this day, in this season.

Story Times

Beyond the Book: Owl Moon – Tuesday, February 23

Join us at Maydale Nature Classroom for a reading of “Owl ,” as we learn all about owls and make a craft to take home.

Virtual Programs

For the Birds: Natural Ornaments – Friday, February 24

The winter can be a hard time for birds, as they search for food. By using a few supplies at home, learn how to create natural ornaments that you hang outside to help feed the birds. A suggested list of supplies will be emailed before the program to help you prepare for this virtual program. We will use the Microsoft Teams platform for this program.

Maple Sugaring Days – Throughout the month of February

Maple Sugaring Days at Brookside Nature Center is a fun, learn-as-you-go outdoor tour about the process of making maple syrup and the science and natural science around it. Enjoy the self-guided interpretive Maple Trail walk until February 28.

Winter Bingo

Winter is the perfect time to explore our parks and trails. Play our Virtual Winter Bingo, collect BINGO, submit your card and be entered in a drawing to win a great prize!

So, get outdoors and into the parks!

Montgomery Parks…it’s all here!
Things to Love about Montgomery Parks - February 9, 2021

It’s the season of love, and there are many reasons to love Montgomery Parks! Here are five things to love about our parks and trails:

Time with Your Loved One

Spend time with your special someone exploring our parks and trails and play Virtual Winter Bingo. Collect BINGO, submit your card and be entered in a drawing to win a great prize!

Love of Creativity

Make Nature Valentines – Saturday, February 13

This year, consider collecting outdoor items to create your very own nature valentine. Before the virtual program, go on a walk and collect nuts, sticks, and other natural items. During the program, we will share why we collected our items, and assemble our valentines.

Virtual Nature, Paint and Wine – Thursday, February 18

Join us in this virtual opportunity in crafting some magic with paint led by a naturalist painter. After picking up the paint kit from the nature center, you will be able to follow a naturalist on a live online call, where you will be able to learn about the meanings of nature and how you can turn them into a beautiful canvas.

Love of Play

Hike and Seek: I ❤️ Nature – Sunday, February 14

Looking for a little adventure? Follow the clues and work together with your family to solve a new nature-themed puzzle each month in Hike and Seek at Locust Grove Nature Center.

Love of Views

There are many places within Montgomery Parks to catch a gorgeous sunset. One of our favorites is the view over Little Seneca Lake at Black Hill Regional Park!

Love of Discovery

Discover a new trail or park to explore with your family and friends! With over 250 miles of trails and 424 parks, there is somewhere new and exciting to explore every day in Montgomery Parks!

Montgomery Parks…it’s all here!
Black History Month - February 1, 2021

Celebrate Black History Month with Montgomery Parks in February! Here are our Parks’ Picks for virtual history programs and self-guided tours of historic sites and trails.

Josiah Henson Museum and Park is our newest historic site, and we are working to open it to the public soon. Join us for two special free virtual viewings about the life of Josiah Henson and the archaeology of the site. First is the rebroadcast of the PBS film Redeeming Uncle Tom: The Josiah Henson Story on Wednesday, February 10 at 7 pm to learn more about the author, abolitionist, and minister. This program is a partnership with Maryland Public Television. The second online program, Time Team America: The Search for Josiah Henson, on Wednesday, February 24 at 7 pm, highlights the archaeology of the Isaac Riley plantation, which is part of the new park.

Family historian Jennifer Halsey leads the free virtual genealogy workshop The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity on Thursday, February 16 at 6:30 pm. Register for this introductory workshop to better understand your identity and family history.

Join the Black History Month Panel Discussion and Musical Performance on on Thursday, February 25 at 2 pm. The free live program features music by Washington Revels Jubilee Voices and a panel discussion with leading experts on the legacy of Josiah Henson.

You also can learn about African American history in your own backyard. Take a self-guided tour of the Underground Railroad Experience Trail at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. The trail is open sunrise to sunset daily, and interpretive panels are available along the way. Before heading out, check RainoutLine for trail status.

Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park features the last-remaining house of a nineteenth century African American community on Brookville Road. Learn more about the historic site on our website then visit in-person. The park is free and open dawn to dusk daily.

Montgomery Parks…it’s all here!

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Last Updated: September 23, 2021