Ellsworth Drive to Close, Become a Linear Urban Park

The operators of Downtown Silver Spring will permanently close Ellsworth Drive to vehicular traffic, and lay down nontoxic artificial turf to create what’s described as a “linear urban park.” Bryant Foulger, chairman of Fougler-Pratt, one of the complex’s owners, presented plans for a $10 million renovation of the area to a generally receptive audience of about 60 people last night.

Parks to Present Pilot Proposal for E-bikes, E-scooters on Trails

Montgomery Parks will present a proposal to the Planning Board this week to allow a pilot program that would permit e-bikes and e-scooters on certain trails in the park system. The plan calls for a six-month trial period, on hard-surface trails only, running from June 1 to December 1, with an option to extend the program. If approved at the … Read More

Ellsworth Dog Park Closing for Maintenance

Ellsworth Urban Dog Park at 621 Ellsworth Dr. is scheduled to close today for annual maintenance, according to the Montgomery Parks website. Crews will be replacing the mulch and wood chips in the park, as well as swale work to manage storm water run-off, and digging out and leveling retaining walls, a spokesperson said. The work is expected to take … Read More

Montgomery Parks Surveying Residents About Future Dog Parks

Montgomery Parks Surveying Residents About Future Dog Parks

Montgomery Parks is surveying residents within all five Regional Service Centers to help determine possible options for future dog parks. The surveys are part of a Dog Parks Site Suitability Study currently underway and ask residents of each area to choose from a set of locations determined by parks staff. Each study area was defined as within a half-mile radius … Read More

Deadline for Comments on Park Improvements is Midnight Tonight

Residents have until midnight tonight to enter online comments on the final conceptual site plan for improvements to the Silver Spring Intermediate Park. The 3.6-acre park, which is bounded on three sides by Philadelphia, Chicago and Boston avenues, is on the site of the former Silver Spring Intermediate School. It is still owned by the school system, but is managed … Read More

County Sets Schedule, Changes for Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

The county has set its schedule of closings and other changes due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday Monday, Jan. 21. All county government offices and libraries will be closed for the holiday, as will state offices and courts. The Department of Recreation’s administrative offices, senior centers and community centers will be closed. However, aquatic facilities and programs … Read More

Registration for County Summer Camps Begins Next Week

There may be plenty of snow on the ground, but parents can begin thinking about the county’s summer camp opportunities for children now. Registration for both the Recreation Department and Montgomery Parks summer camps begins one week from today—Tuesday, Jan. 22. The guide to the camps being offered this year is online; printed copies of the guides also are available … Read More

Residents Review Latest Options for $1.5 Million Park Project

Schematic of current park from Montgomery Parks presentation.* About 30 people attended a meeting Tuesday to review the latest options for a $1.5 million project to improve the Silver Spring Intermediate Neighborhood Park. The 3.6-acre park is on the site of the former Silver Spring Intermediate School. It is still owned by the school system, but is managed by Montgomery … Read More

WSSC Work, Park Improvements to Affect Access to Two Four Corners Parks

The park entrance from University Boulevard, the lot and the ball field seen beyond, will close this month for improvement work. Photo by Mike Diegel. Improvements scheduled to begin this month will affect users’ access to two parks in the Four Corners area of Silver Spring, according to announcements from the county’s Parks Department. WSSC will be installing a new … Read More