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April 23, 2007

Kayaks, Canoes and Rowboats Cast Off in Parks May 5 Boating Season Opens at Both Department of Parks Lakes-Lake Needwood and Little Seneca

SILVER SPRING, MD-The Montgomery County Department of Parks welcomes boaters back to the parks this season for boating on the 75-acre Lake Needwood at Rock Creek Regional Park in Rockville and the 505-acre Little Seneca Lake at Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds. Boat rentals open for the season Saturday, May 5 at both Rock Creek and Black Hill regional parks.

“We’re looking forward to a complete season this year,” said Department of Parks Needwood Boat Shop Manager Kevin Van Scoyk, “since last summer’s devastating storms swept in and unexpectedly cut our boating season short.”

Last June’s unprecedented deluge completely devastated Rock Creek Regional Park, including the Lake Needwood Dam and Needwood Boathouse. Repairs to the Lake Needwood Dam are underway and during recent heavy rains the dam faired well with no leaks reported. As part of the first phase of the overall remedial measures program for the Needwood Dam, the Department of Parks is working with a specialty contractor to install a grout curtain below the dam to reduce seepage through its rock foundation. The second phase of the project will occur later this summer.

Also, later this summer the Department of Parks is planning a grand re-opening event, June 9, in conjunction with Hudson Trail Outfitters’ Boat and Bike Demo Days to celebrate the complete renovation of the Needwood Boathouse.

“For returning boaters to Black Hill this season, with an interest in fishing, we’re continuing to offer bait, hooks and bobbers and have established a ‘Fish Phone’ hotline-301-444-3151-with updated information on lake fishing conditions,” said Department of Parks Black Hill Boats Manager Steve Root. “No worries-for those simply heading out to casually enjoy a boat ride-we still offer fan-favorites such as our 60-minute pontoon boat tours of the ever beautiful Little Seneca Lake.” 

An all-new boating staff at Black Hill Regional Park is also eager to please this season’s visitors. Black Hill Regional Park has a fleet of rowboats, canoes, one-person kayaks and two-person tandem kayaks for rent at nominal hourly or daily rates. The Lake Needwood Boat Shop also rents rowboats, pedal boats and canoes and park visitors to Rock Creek enjoy 15-minute cruises around Lake Needwood on the Needwood Queen Tour Boat, a flat-bottom pontoon.

Beginning May 5, boat rentals at both parks are available weekends only through Memorial Day. May 30 through Labor Day September 3, both parks offer boat rentals Wednesday through Sunday.

Find more information on the Lake Needwood Boathouse Grand Re-Opening event to come at www.MontgomeryParks.org. 

For hours and information on Black Hill Boats visit www.blackhillboats.com and for more on Lake Needwood Boats, see www.lakeneedwoodboats.com.

Posted at 04:33 PM in Parks |