SILVER SPRING, MD—After briefing the Montgomery County Planning Board last Thursday, on its draft proposal for managing 31 small and medium-sized park recreation buildings within the county’s parks system, the Department of Parks is preparing to go out to the community to solicit additional input.
“With the Board briefed, we are now looking forward to taking this show on the road and finding out what the community thinks about our proposals,” said Department of Parks Senior Park Planner Mark Wallis.
The 31 recreation buildings were reviewed for current condition, level of use and maintenance requirements. These aging structures are often used for birthday parties, community events and small classes, but many are underutilized and will require major repairs. The assessment was conducted by parks department staff in conjunction with a study by Facility Engineering Associates (FEA), a consultant to the Department of Parks.
As a result of the review, the buildings were sorted into four preliminary categories: continue and improve; evaluate and market; transfer or demolish; and assess historical priority. The “Continue and Improve” category includes 7 recreation buildings for which the department recommends continued funding for routine and recurring maintenance. The “Evaluate and Market” category includes 18 buildings which would also be maintained and would be the focus of a special 3-year marketing campaign, then reevaluated at the end of the marketing campaign period. Under the “Transfer or Demolish” category, 5 buildings would be affected under the proposal—removing damaged structures at Hillandale and Randolph Hills and transferring buildings at Garrett Park Estates, Clarksburg and Camp Seneca. One building falls under the “Assess Historical Priority” category, the Bureau of Animal Industry Building at Norwood Local Park.
The full listing of the 31 recreation buildings can be found in the June 28, 2007, Planning Board briefing memo (Item 12, B) at http://mcparkandplanning.org/board/agenda/2007/agenda20070628e.html.
The department’s community outreach plans include using the internet to exchange information; setting up an email address to receive and respond to community questions; sponsoring a public meeting in September; making a presentation to the Countywide Recreation Advisory Board in the fall; and making community group presentations upon request. To request an information meeting or to share your views on the status of these structures, please email Mark.Wallis@mncppc.org or call 301-650-4389. For information and updates, see www.parkplanningandstewardship.org.
After gathering public feedback on this draft proposal, the Department of Parks anticipates taking a final recommendation, with public input incorporated, back to the Montgomery County Planning Board in early November.
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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866
