Wheaton Regional Park – Master Plan Update 2020

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Division: Park Planning and Stewardship

Visioning the Future of Wheaton Regional Park

Montgomery Parks is updating the 1987 Wheaton Regional Park Master Plan.  We are currently in the process of seeking input from the community and organizations that surround the park including home owner’s associations, schools, businesses, and faith organizations. We want to hear from all residents, including those who have traditionally not been involved in park master plans updates, to ensure that the future of Wheaton Regional Park reflects the diverse values and interests of the local community.  We will be providing many opportunities for community members to share their ideas including in person; at public meetings, park events, and additional venues in the Wheaton/Glenmont area, as well as online through an interactive, online map and comment forum.

Project Background

The current Master Plan for Wheaton Regional Park was created in 1987. A park master plan guides the development of the park, including new facilities and renovated facilities, as well as broad operation, management, and maintenance issues.  Many of the 1987 plan’s recommendations have been built or implemented.

Wheaton Regional Park remains vibrant and popular, but it is also aging.  An update is needed to reflect the many changes that have occurred over the last 30 plus years so that the park can better serve the adjacent communities as well as residents throughout the county.  The master plan will also guide plans for future renovations and growth.

The Park Today

Click to enlarge map

Over 50 years old, Wheaton Regional Park is nestled in a forested area of Wheaton, Maryland and is the largest park in the southern region of Montgomery County. The park was established in the early 1960s, assembling several large parcels of land into one of the county’s finest parks. Visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational and educational opportunities within its 536 acres.

The Park has developed into three distinct areas with three separate entrances:

• The Shorefield Area entrance is on Shorefield Road off of Georgia Avenue.  This area includes:
  • picnic shelters
  • an adventure playground
  • Miniature Train and Carousel
  • Pine Lake
  • numerous paved trails
  • adult fitness station (to be installed in 2020)
• The Glenallan Area entrance is on Glenallan Avenue.  This area includes:
  • Brookside Gardens
  • Brookside Nature Center
  • Horse Stables
  • numerous paved and unpaved trails
• The Orebaugh Area entrance is on Arcola Avenue.  This area includes:
  • F. Frank Rubini Athletic Complex with six diamond ballfields
  • Wheaton Ice Arena
  • Wheaton Sports Pavilion
  •  Indoor and Outdoor Tennis courts
  • Basketball courts
  • Dog park

Master Plan Update

The updated Master Plan will detail a visionary plan that balances recreation and stewardship, core to Montgomery Parks mission.  It will also address the 1987 recommendations that have not been completed as well as topics that emerge from the community.  The plan will also align with other current Department master plans such as the Nature Center Master Plan and Thrive Montgomery 2050.

Topics that will be addressed as part of the master plan include:

• Infrastructure
  • Park Entrances and Visibility
  • Signage and Wayfinding
  • Roads
  • Parking
  • Accessibility
  • Underutilized Areas
  • Paved Trails
• Amenities
  • Nature Center
  • Athletic Fields
  • Picnic Area
  • Horse Stable
  • Emerging recreational trends such as futsal/court soccer and pickleball
• Natural Resources
  • Trails
  • Potential land acquisitions
  • Biodiversity area
• Maintenance and Operations
  • Efficiency improvements
• Cultural Heritage and Interpretation
  • Stubbs Barn
  • Incorporate historical elements of Wheaton Regional Park and surrounding areas

Get Involved

Ideas for this project are welcome at any time throughout the planning process.

• Comment on our Open Town Hall forum and interactive map (link to come)
• Meet us at a public event.  (View the calendar below)
• Email the project manager:  Chuck Kines – Charles.Kines@montgomeryparks.org
• Invite us to your Club, Group, Civic or Homeowner Association meeting to share information.  (Contact the project manager)

Calendar and Meeting Notes

The calendar will be updated with exact dates and times as soon as they can be reserved. Links to presentation materials, meeting notes and memos will be posted for each event as soon as they are available.