Community invited to comment in-person March 3, 2016, or online or by mail
SILVER SPRING, MD—Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) invites the public to provide input on the Public Hearing Draft of the Countywide Park Trails Plan Amendment. The Planning Board will hear public testimony on March 3, 2016. An electronic copy of the plan is available at ParkPlanning.org.
The plan proposes a new framework of countywide trails called “Loops and Links.” This framework aims to complete gaps in the countywide trail system, design sustainable trails and provide trails closer to where people live or work.
“The former plan was created many years ago before mapping tools were available, so it was difficult to determine where trails could actually be built,” said Chuck Kines, Park and Trail Planner Coordinator. “With this new plan we have a better understanding of which areas of parkland are suitable for trails and which areas to avoid.”
The plan supports a future network of trails for people to use in many different ways including biking, hiking, running, riding horses and walking their dogs. The plan includes recommendations as to which trails should be built first and why.
Planning Board Public Hearing
WHEN: Thursday, March 3, 2016, Time TBD*
WHERE: Planning Board Auditorium, 8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
WHY: Provide input on where future trails will be built and help Montgomery Parks prioritize which trails are built during what timeframe.
*The Planning Board’s Agenda is subject to change and certain items may be postponed or added. A more precise time will be posted closer to the date of the meeting on the Planning Board agenda located at MontgomeryPlanningBoard.org. To testify on an agenda item, sign up online. Written comments may be emailed to the Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson at mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org or mailed to Chair Casey Anderson, Montgomery County Planning Board, 8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910; or faxed to (301) 495-1320. Written comments must be submitted at least one full business day before a scheduled hearing (i.e. by 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning before a Thursday hearing).
Public input may also be submitted online at ParkPlanning.org.
For further information, contact Chuck Kines, Project Coordinator
c/o M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks
9500 Brunett Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20901
Charles.Kines@MontgomeryParks.org
(301) 495-2184
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
Accessibility
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission encourages the involvement and participation of all individuals in the community, including those with disabilities, in the planning and review processes. In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M?NCPPC) will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs or activities. M?NCPPC works to make its facilities and materials accessible and to hold public meetings in locations that are, likewise, accessible. M?NCPPC will generally provide, upon request, appropriate aids and services and make reasonable modifications to policies and programs for qualified persons with disabilities (e.g., large print materials, listening devices, sign language interpretation, etc.). For assistance with such requests, please contact the M-NCPPC Montgomery County Commissioners’ Office, at least a week in advance, at (301) 495-4600 or at mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org . Maryland residents can also use the free Maryland Relay Service for assistance with calls to or from hearing or speech-impaired persons; for information, go to www.mdrelay.org/ or call (866) 269-9006.