Dewey Local Park Renovation
Division: Park Development Division
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Project Description
Dewey Local Park is located at 1720 Dewey Road in Silver Spring, approximately 2000 feet south of its intersection with Randolph Road. The Rock Creek Stream Valley forms the park’s western and southern property lines. The Dewey Road right of way forms the eastern property line. The park is located within the Veirs Mill Village neighborhood which is comprised primarily of single-family homes and local schools.
Background
Originally acquired in 1951, this 14.5-acre park formerly included a small playground, four tennis courts, a basketball court, multi-use rectangular field and two small paved parking lots. The Rock Creek Bike Trail runs along the entire length of the park parallel to Dewey Road.
In 1984 WSSC sought approval to locate a storage facility within the park. The storage facility was entirely enclosed and buried. In exchange for use of the land, WSSC offered to rebuild and expand community recreation facilities on top of the storage facility, including four tennis courts and the enlargement of the existing soccer field to “scholastic size.” They also constructed a new shorter service road to the facility and parking lot off Dewey Road. Dewey Local Park operates under a joint-use agreement between WSSC and MNCPPC.
Over the years the recreational needs of the community have changed and four tennis courts are no longer needed or are being used, particularly after the renovation of the courts in nearby Randolph Hills Local Park. In addition, the aging tennis courts and basketball courts are in serious need of repair and have become very difficult to maintain. The basketball court has been closed for several years.
Montgomery County Parks Staff held a community meeting on June 28, 2016, at the Veirs Mill Activity Building within Veirs Mill Local Park. During the meeting, five different plans with a variety of different types of facilities were proposed for the community to discuss and provide input. Following the meeting, the staff continued to receive comments and suggestions from the community. Based on these comments a concept plan was developed. A copy of the latest recommended concept plan is shown above. The five concept plans presented to the community and meeting notes can be viewed by clicking on the links in the schedule below.
Status/Project Update
The park facility plan was approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board on July 20, 2017. Funding for final design and construction of this project is in the Department of Parks approved Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for Fiscal Year 2015 to 2019.
The construction documentation and permitting phase was completed in February 2019 and preparation/repair of the court surface was completed in fall 2018. Construction of the playground will begin in Summer 2019. Construction is expected to be completed in Spring 2020.
A Street Hockey/Futsal Court was completed in July 2019 in partnership with the Washington Capitals and is planned to be opened to the public in the late Fall of 2019.
Calendar and Meeting Notes
Links to review meeting notes and Planning Board memos will be attached to each applicable calendar event as it is scheduled and completed.
DATE/TIME |
DISCUSSION AND MEETING NOTES |
LOCATION |
| June 28, 2016 | Community Meeting – To solicit community input on the Facility Plan – View the community meeting notes – View the Concept Plans |
Veirs Mill Activity Building 4425 Garrett Park Road Silver Spring, MD 20906 |
| July 20, 2017 | Planning Board Meeting – Present the Concept Plan for the partial renovation of the park | M-NCPPC Montgomery Regional Office Auditorium 8787 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
| July 2017 | Begin detail design | |
| February 2019 | Construction documents complete | |
| Spring 2019 | Construction to begin | |
| Fall/Winter 2019 | Construction complete |
M-NCPPC Staff Contact
Linda Komes, Project Manager
Linda.Komes@MontgomeryParks.org
301-650-2860