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Norbeck-Muncaster Mill Neighborhood Park

Exterior Norbeck-Muncaster Mill Neighborhood Park
Interior of Norbeck-Muncaster Mill Neighborhood Park Activity Building
Kitchen at Norbeck-Muncaster Mill Neighborhood Park
Playground at Norbeck-Muncaster Mill Neighborhood Park
Basketball Courts icon
Basketball Courts
Playgrounds icon
Playgrounds

Have fun on the playground and basketball court at Norbeck-Muncaster Mill Neighborhood Park. Enjoy the picnic area on a sunny day or rent the Norbeck Recreation Building, convenient to Muncaster Mill Road. Montgomery Parks acquired this 5.5-acre park in 1965.

History: When Schools were Segregated

From the late 1920s until 1951, African American children attended elementary school in the building that is now a park activity building. Known as the Norbeck Rosenwald School, it replaced the Mt. Pleasant Colored School. A fixture of the surrounding Black community, the original school was built in 1872. It was one of the first county-funded schools for African American children.

Black and white photo showing seated and standing African American children in front of a schoolhouse.
Zelma Smith’s class at Norbeck Elementary School Courtesy Nina H. Clarke and Lillian B. Brown

Norbeck was one of at least fifteen segregated Rosenwald schools built in Montgomery County between 1920 and 1929. African American residents contributed $7,300 collectively to match $8,200 donated by Sears co-owner and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932). The remaining $61,320 came from public tax revenue. The Norbeck school costs $5,300 to build.

The two-room Norbeck school had only one teacher for many years. Former student Mabel D. Jackson remembers substandard conditions, “There were no inside facilities, water, or central heat. We had free books but never any new ones. These books were dirty, ragged, marked in, and often had pages missing.” Norbeck closed in 1951, three years before the 1954 Supreme Court ruling Brown v. Board of Education overturned school segregation. In 1957, county authorities developed plans to convert the school into a community facility.

Norbeck-Muncaster Mill Park Activity Building

Located in the Norbeck-Muncaster Mill Neighborhood Park, this unique building provides a convenient
location for a party, bridal shower, graduation party, meeting, or event. The air-conditioned building features a kitchen and is located near a playground, basketball court and open field.

Floor Plan

NorbecActivityBuilding_000

Park Features 

  • Basketball court (Contact Park Permits Office to reserve)
  • Playground (Contact Park Permits Office to reserve)
  • Open Field

Building Amenities

  • Air-conditioned
  • Shared Parking (15 spaces, one accessible space)
  • Kitchen (Refrigerator and Warming Oven)
  • Limited accessibility
  • Keyless Entry
  • Capacity is 80 (standing room only)

Park Activity Building Reservations 

Park Activity Buildings are available year-round on weekdays and weekends. Park Activity Buildings are available for reservations in two-time slots per day. Please choose from either 10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. or 5 – 11 p.m. If you wish to reserve a different time slot, it must be a minimum of 8 hours or more.

Reservation can only be made over the phone by calling the Permit Office at (301) 495-2525 during business hours of 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Reservations are first-come, first-served basis and can be made up to six months in advance.   

Permit Office: 301-495-2525
ParkPermits@MontgomeryParks.org
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

To tour this Park Activity Building before renting, contact the Park Permits Office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to acquire your access and alarm codes to the building.

Rental Fee Includes

  • Tables and chairs 
  • Renter is responsible for setting up and cleaning areas and the kitchen if used.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Park amenities are available at this location. Please be aware that some amenities are fee-based, and some are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In the case of permitted fields or courts, customers with the appropriate permit have priority.

Rules and Regulations

All Permit Holders must follow M-NCPPC rules and regulations as well as the specific Guidelines and Conditions of Use as stated on the facility permit. Also, visit with our knowledgeable Permits staff on how to best accommodate and plan your event.

Visit ActiveMontgomery.org and Request a Reservation for an athletic field.