SILVER SPRING, MD—Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) announced today that it will temporarily discontinue collecting an annual $40 dog park permit fee for the use of its dog parks, effective January 2013. The fee program was initiated in July 2010 to compensate for budget cuts; however, after noticing a decline in use of the facilities, the department has opted to do away with the fee and will explore other ways to make up the lost revenue.
“Dog parks are such an important resource to the residents of this county, and we regularly receive requests for more,” said Mary Bradford, Director of Montgomery County Department of Parks. “Our parks have come to serve as “backyards” for many residents as our county continues to urbanize. Dog owners should have a free, public place to play with and exercise their dogs.”
Montgomery Parks’ five fenced dog parks are located in Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds, Cabin John Regional Park, Olney Manor Recreational Park, Ridge Road Recreational Park in Germantown and Wheaton Regional Park. Dogs must be on leash in other Montgomery County public parks.
A survey conducted as part of the 2012 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan indicated a clear need for more dog parks on park property. Planning is currently underway to identify new sites for the dog parks—perhaps as many as 12 new ones—on park property. Once appropriate sites are selected, Montgomery Parks will begin determining which areas have the greatest need and seek funding to build dog parks in those locations.
For questions or comments related to the discontinuation of the dog park permit program, please contact the Park Permits Office by email at MCP-ParkPermits@mncppc-mc.org or by phone at 301-495-2525.
About M-NCPPC and the Montgomery Parks
M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks manages more than 35,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 418 parks throughout the County. The Department of Parks is part 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 ranked as a national model of excellence in park and recreation management by other park systems and by the National Recreation and Parks Association. www.MontgomeryParks.org
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