WHEATON, MD—Construction is set to begin in early January 2008 on Pine Lake in Wheaton Regional Park. As a result, the lake and surrounding area will remain closed to public access over the winter with fencing and signage up around the lake.
“We expect this construction phase of the project to be complete in late spring 2008,” said Department of Parks Project Manager Andy Frank. “Although an inconvenience, this project will be well worth it as we welcome park patrons back to the lake for their summer activities.”
Earlier this year, the Montgomery County Department of Parks and the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection began planning for this major rehabilitation of Pine Lake that includes dredging significant quantities of sediment accumulated within the lake. Another goal of the rehabilitation project is to improve dam safety at the lake, water quality, aquatic habitat and stormwater management control.
Pine Lake was constructed in the early 1960s and provides significant recreational opportunities to park users and water quality benefits to the tributary stream of the Northwest Branch. The lake has not been previously dredged and this is the first major rehabilitation of the lake since its initial construction. The 5-acre lake is a favorite of fishermen, for bird watching, picnicking and hiking along the nearby park trails.
In addition to Pine Lake, Wheaton Regional Park is also home to the Wheaton Ice Arena, Wheaton Indoor Tennis Facility, Brookside Nature Center and Brookside Gardens. For more on Wheaton and other Montgomery County parks, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org.
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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866