Public invited to provide comments online, via email, mail or at October 2, 2014 public hearing.
SILVER SPRING, MD—Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on October 2, 2014 on recommendations for the Ovid Hazen Wells Master Plan Update. The hearing will take place at the Montgomery Regional Offices Building at 8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20910. A preliminary time of 4:55 pm has been set for this item; however please check the agenda on Planning Board website closer to the date of the hearing.
Members of the public may comment on the recommendations at the meeting, by email (Rachel.Newhouse@montgomeryparks.org ), via the online comment tool or by mail at M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks, 9500 Brunett Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20901. People who would like to testify at the meeting should sign-up online at www.MontgomeryPlanningBoard.org or call 301-495-4605 before 4:00 p.m. day before the meeting.
Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park is a 290-acre park located in Clarksburg. The parks’ Master Plan dates back to 1995 with a number of items from that plan yet to be complete including:
- Determining the final location of the Ovid Hazen Wells carousel and supporting amenities
- Incorporating a Special Recreation Area in the center of the park
- Exploring future plans for The Red Wiggler Farm
- Establishing a greenway link to other area parks, and a trail system within the park; and
- Identifying a possible site for the future Clarksburg Community Recreation and Aquatics Center
In December 2013, Montgomery Parks’ staff began efforts to update the plan to address these items, by conducting extensive outreach to include input from the community. Numerous presentations were given to members of the community and civic /home owner associations including, the Clarksburg Civic Association, the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board, the Upcounty Recreational Advisory Board, Park Ridge and Arora Hills Home Owner Associations and at Clarksburg Day among other groups and venues.
With input from the community and staff expertise, a series of recommendations are proposed to the current Master Plan, including the creation of an active recreation area in the park to feature:
- Carousel Picnic Area & Splash Pad
- Teen Play Area
- Sledding Hill/Open green space
- Lounge Terrace
- Community Open Space
- Dog Park
- Renovated Play Area
- Trail Connection
Other recommendations include:
- Acquisition of an estimated 12 acres of land adjacent to the park, some of which may be used for the future site of the Clarksburg Community Recreation and Aquatic Center
- Creation of a unique event area near historic structures in the park
- Enhancements to support Red Wiggler Farm’s vision
- An expanded trail system
After the public hearing, staff will review all the public comments and prepare a response. The staff response will be discussed with the Planning Board at a work session to be scheduled in October or November. The public will be notified of the work session date and time.
Background on Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park
Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park was donated to Montgomery Parks in 1981 from Hallie Wells, in honor of her late husband Ovid. The donation was made with the stipulation that the carousel currently located in Wheaton Regional Park be located in Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park. The park currently features a large recreational complex with 2 soccer fields, a baseball field, 2 softball fields, a group picnic area and large playground. There are looped hard surface trails that connect the amenities and a parking lot to accommodate 285 cars.
For more information about the Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park Master Plan Updates contact Project Coordinator Rachel Newhouse at Rachel.Newhouse@MontgomeryParks.org or at 301-650-4368.
About The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 36,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 420 parks. Montgomery Parks is a department of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. The M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. www.montgomeryparks.org
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