SILVER SPRING, MD — The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s (M-NCPPC) staff will host a community meeting to discuss the public access and trails plan for the recently-acquired, undeveloped Serpentine Barrens Conservation Park in Potomac, Maryland, on Thursday, September 15, 7 p.m. Located in a forest that sits on a serpentine bedrock outcropping, the park’s unique serpentine ecosystem contains more than 20 rare, threatened or endangered plants in Maryland. Throughout the world, serpentine ecosystems are extremely rare.
Public feedback is essential for M-NCPPC staff to draft a management plan for this new conservation park, located in two parcels: one between the Palatine subdivision and the Rockville Crushed Stone Quarry, and the other between the Palatine subdivision and Glen Road.
In addition to environmental protection, Serpentine Barrens Conservation Park will also provide nature education for children and adults as well as low impact, passive enjoyment through a network of natural surface trails. Staff is proposing three miles of loop trails in the north unit of the park and a 1.5-mile trail loop for the south unit. Parking and education facilities are proposed for two locations: along Piney Meetinghouse Road near the PEPCO power line and on Glen Road near the Greenbriar Branch stream.
WHO:
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission staff
WHAT:
Serpentine Barrens Community Meeting
WHEN:
Thursday, September 15, 7 p.m.
WHERE:
Adventure Conservation Park, 10501 Glen Road, Potomac, MD