SILVER SPRING, MD—The Montgomery County Department of Parks is working on several construction projects around the county’s parks system now. Below are brief updates on some of these:
- Pennyfield Lock Boat Ramp Closed: The Department of Parks is replacing the boat ramp at Pennyfield Lock Neighborhood Conservation Area, 12420 Pennyfield Lock Road in Tobytown. Work began on the project January 26 and signage is up now at the park alerting the public that access to the ramp is closed. The project is expected to be completed this spring, weather permitting. Pennyfield Lock is one of the locations along the old C&O Canal that is famous in birding circles.
- Waverly-Schuylkill Neighborhood Park Stream Restoration: Stream restoration is underway at Waverly-Schuylkill Neighborhood Park, 11210 Schuylkill Road in Rockville. The work is being done along approximately 1,000 linear feet of an unnamed tributary to Rock Creek between Schuylkill Road and the Garrett Park Rail Station to stabilize the stream system, improve habitat and reduce erosion along the stream bank. The project is expected to be completed this spring. There is a temporary mulch trail through the park, but caution is advised around the entire construction area.
- Wisconsin Place Community Center Complete: The Department of Parks has received the keys to the brand new Wisconsin Place Community Center. This new community center is part of a mixed-use development in Friendship Heights. The Montgomery County Recreation Department will begin operating the center in June 2009. The Department of Parks is installing security system, telephones, data/PA systems, exercise equipment, furniture, indoor play equipment, exterior signage, computers, TVs and other items.
- Pine Lake Rehabilitation, Trail Reopens this Month: Construction is substantially complete on the rehabilitation of Pine Lake, which includes a new outlet structure to enhance stormwater management effectiveness and modifications to improve fish habitat within the lake. The project was completed by the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection in coordination with the Department of Parks. Trail access across the dam is expected to reopen this month. Minor restoration work will continue this spring once the weather warms. Pine Lake will reopen for fishing in late March.
- Rock Creek Trail Pedestrian Bridge Work Underway: The Department of Parks started construction of a new pedestrian bridge for the Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail. The new 605-foot-long bridge will be built over Veirs Mill Road near Aspen Hill Road to provide trail users with a safer way to cross the heavily traveled Veirs Mill Road. Construction is scheduled for completion by September 2010. During this period portions of the trail will be closed and detour signs will be posted.
- Hoyles Mill Trail Bridge Now Open: The new bridge over the old ford across Little Seneca Creek on Hoyles Mill Road in Boyds is now complete and open to public use. The project was completed in late January and also included stream restoration improvements, upstream and downstream of the crossing, to improve aquatic habitat. The new bridge is a great improvement; now trail users to can avoid the creek.
- Sligo Creek Parkway Reopened: WSSC has finished replacing the water line on Sligo Creek Parkway, which closed the parkway between New Hampshire Avenue and Maple Avenue for several months. This section of Sligo Creek Parkway reopened Friday, February 6.
For more on Montgomery County’s parks system, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org.
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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866