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.
Montgomery Parks…it’s all here!
