Media Center

CALENDAR LISTING: Lights . . . Camera . . . Action . . . You’re On! Department of Parks Auditions Talented Teens to Find Summertime ParkStar

SILVER SPRING, MD—For the first time ever, the Montgomery County Department of Parks is offering the chance for one lucky teen to be a ParkStar on its award-winning 15-minute monthly County Cable Montgomery television program—The Parks Show. The department is hosting two open auditions to try-out talented teens, ages 14 through 17, for the chance to spend a total of 12 days this summer working on The Parks Show—hosting, writing and editing scripts and selecting and interviewing show guests. The ParkStar can earn up to 100 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for their work on the show this summer.

Saturday, March 29, 2008
Registration: 9:30 am
Auditions: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Brookside Gardens Auditorium
1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902

Saturday, April 5, 2008
Registration: 9:30 am
Auditions: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Agricultural History Farm Park Activity Center
18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855 

For more on the ParkStar Search competition, including the contest entry form, rules and audition script, see www.ParkStarSearch.com.

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Contact:    
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866

***CANCELED DUE TO SNOW PREDICTION*** MEDIA ADVISORY: Montgomery County’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin Recipient of Shoppers Food & Pharmacy Black History Month Donation

***Tomorrow's bus tour and stop at Uncle Tom's Cabin has been canceled due to snow prediction.***

BETHESDA, MD—This Friday the Montgomery County Department of Parks will receive a $3,000 donation from Shoppers Food and Pharmacy as part of the company’s day-long “Charity Bus Tour” in honor of Black History Month.

Other stops on Friday’s tour for the Shoppers executives include, Gwynns Falls Academy, Hilton Elementary School, Aunt Hatties Place and Bethel A.M.E. Church Outreach Center all in Baltimore and Faces of Our Children in Landover, Maryland.

WHO:    
Montgomery County Department of Parks
Shoppers Food and Pharmacy

WHAT:   
Uncle Tom’s Cabin Black History Month Donation

WHEN:
Friday, February 22, 2008
9:30 am – 10:00 am

WHERE:
The Riley Farm/”Uncle Tom’s Cabin”
11420 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, Maryland

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:
Shoppers Food and Pharmacy executives present “big check” to Director of Parks Mary Bradford at historic “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”

INTERESTED MEDIA PLEASE NOTE: Parking is available at Wall Local Park, 11501 Nicholson Lane, at the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Nicholson Lane behind Montgomery County's Aquatic Center.

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Contact: 
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
Office: 301-650-2866
Cell: 240-638-6793

Environmental Reviewers Want Planning Board to Encourage Better Protections for Upper Rock Creek Area Around ICC

SILVER SPRING, MD – Montgomery County environmental specialists, reviewing the state’s proposed environmental mitigation measures for where the Intercounty Connector (ICC) will cut through the Upper Rock Creek area, have recommended that the county Planning Board ask for greater protection of the sensitive watershed.

The board, which provides advice on local environmental and park issues to the State Highway Administration (SHA) and other agencies working on the highway, will hold a public hearing at approximately 1 p.m. Thursday to consider the proposed environmental protections for the Upper Rock Creek Special Protection Area.

Montgomery County’s Special Protection Areas protect sensitive, high-quality stream systems – which include forests and groundwater recharge – by limiting construction and requiring extra environmental protection measures. The Montgomery County Departments of Permitting Services and Environmental Protection join county environmental planning staff in reviewing all projects within Special Protection Areas. The Upper Rock Creek Special Protection Area, which contains Upper Rock Creek and North Branch, is bordered by Woodfield Road, the North Branch of Rock Creek and Muncaster Mill Road in central Montgomery County.

While the ICC is a state highway project not subject to county laws, highway officials have said they would respect the Special Protection Areas in the ICC’s path and participate in hearings with the Planning Board so the public could scrutinize its proposed environmental measures.

In a report to be heard by the board on Thursday, specialists from the county Department of Permitting Services who reviewed the SHA’s proposed stormwater management said the protections don’t go far enough to protect sensitive resources. According to the specialists, the plans do not meet minimum design requirements for water quality, water recharge and channel protection and require significant changes to do so.

In addition, the state’s reforestation plans fall short, county environmental planning staff said. Under county forest protection rules, the state should reforest about 87.5 acres to compensate for forest to be cleared in the SPA. Instead, the state has proposed 40 acres of new forest planting in the watershed. Environmental reviewers also have recommended lengthening a proposed highway bridge over a North Branch tributary to better protect a forested wetland in the stream valley, reflecting one of the county’s goals for the Special Protection Area.

Visit our ICC page to learn more about highway plans.

WHO:
Montgomery County Planning Board

WHAT:
Public hearing on proposed environmental measures in the Upper Rock Creek Special Protection Area to mitigate for the ICC

WHEN:
Thursday, February 21, approximately 1 p.m.

WHERE:
Park and Planning Headquarters
8787 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD

County Planners, Lyttonsville Community Team Up to Create Exhibit Featuring African-American Heritage

SILVER SPRING, MD – To shine a spotlight on the unique history of the historically African American community of Lyttonsville, the Planning Department’s historic preservation staff collaborated with a local citizens group to create an exhibit for the Gwendolyn Coffield Recreation Center in west Silver Spring. 

Before there was a Linden, Woodside, or Forest Glen, there was Lyttonsville. The community began in 1853 when Leonard Johnson, a white landowner, gave a parcel of land to Samuel Lytton, a freed slave for whom the community is named. 

The new exhibit, designed for Black History Month, includes a copy of the original l853 deed conveying property to Samuel Lytton, artifacts from the community, historical maps, photographs and newspaper clippings.

The exhibit opened February 4 and will run through February 29. 

Tiny Lyttonsville, just 68 acres, is bounded by Lanier Drive, Brookville Road, Talbot Avenue and Lyttonsville Road. When the B & O Railroad was built in 1873, Charles M. Keyes platted a development called Linden of 32 acres with 20 residential lots on the east side of the tracks—the first “railroad suburb” in Montgomery County. A railroad stop called “Linden” dropped commuters at the new destination. 

Lyttonsville, however, remained on the west side of the tracks. With its proximity to the railroad stop, the whole area, including Lyttonsville, began to be called Linden. In fact, the first school in the community was named Linden School.

This little enclave within growing, urbanizing Silver Spring has a history of struggle and survival. Relying on the foundation of the two community churches, residents worked together to create a school for their children and employment for their citizens. From the 1940s through the 1960s, residents fought and won up-hill battles to save their community from industrial development, bring utilities into the area and promote improved housing through urban renewal. 

While Lyttonsville originally was a predominantly African-American community, several Caucasian families settled in the area and lived there as long as many old-timers could remember. Today, Lyttonsville has a highly diverse community including Latino and Eastern European immigrants. 

The Gwendolyn Coffield Recreation Center, at 2450 Lyttonsville Road, Silver Spring, is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Department of Parks Looks for Partner to Help Shape Future of Historic Warner Property

KENSINGTON, MD—Earlier this month the Montgomery County Department of Parks released its request for proposals (RFP) to solicit re-use ideas for Kensington’s historic Warner property and now prepares to host a pre-proposal meeting with interested businesses, developers, non-profit organizations and others on Friday, February 22 to discuss project parameters, submission guidelines and to tour the property. 

“The possibilities for the property are open,” said Department of Parks Legacy Open Space Program Manager Brenda Sandberg, “however, we do have some specific goals in mind for what might become of the space.”

As written in the RFP, the Department of Parks is seeking to find a proposal which meets most of the following public policy objectives:

- Historic preservation; 
- Open space preservation;
- Provision of another public benefit;
- Maintenance of the site as a cultural resource, including public access to the grounds and the historic house and carriage house; and
- Provision for ongoing maintenance of the buildings and grounds.

The Department of Parks identified the Warner property as a heritage resource in 2001 through its Legacy Open Space program and completed the transfer of the 4.45-acre Kensington property into public ownership in September 2007. 

The Warner property at 10231 Carroll Place sits on the circular tract of land at the heart of Kensington’s historic district. The site includes the circa 1891-1914 historic house and carriage barn and circa 1960 nursing home addition to the house. The 19th century house with carriage barn was home to Brainard H. Warner, the founder of the Town Kensington.

The pre-proposal meeting will be held from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon at the Kensington Town Hall, 3710 Mitchell Street on Friday, February 22. For a copy of the RFP or questions regarding submitting a proposal, contact M-NCPPC Principal Procurement Specialist Jana Harris at 301-454-1603 or jana.harris@mncppc.org.

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Contact:   
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866

County Planning Board to Launch Housing Analysis to Help Craft Affordable Measures

SILVER SPRING, MD – To help address the scarcity of affordable housing in Montgomery County, Planning Department research staff has proposed a series of presentations to the Planning Board that will create a detailed picture of the local housing stock.

Understanding the county’s existing houses – what’s affordable and where – will help the board determine how to both preserve and create more moderately priced homes. On Thursday, the board will decide on the scope and details of a housing education program, which it asked staff to develop as a way to scrutinize housing affordability and other housing issues in a county where median prices recently have skyrocketed.

Between 1995 and 2005, about 35,000 single-family detached homes in Montgomery County previously deemed affordable to median-income households vaulted into the unaffordable range. Households were defined as families of four, and in 1995, a median family income was $62,700; in 2005, median income reached $89,300.

The proposed Planning Board presentations are part of a plan to expand the housing section of the county’s General Plan, a forward-thinking document first published in 1964 and amended several times since that establishes policies to guide growth. The board likely will schedule a series of public work sessions throughout the spring on housing issues, then finalize a General Plan amendment by early summer.

Throughout the educational initiative, research staff will cover housing affordability and the preservation of affordable neighborhoods, among other issues. On Thursday, planners will provide a report on the existing housing supply and analyze recent demand for homes. The presentation will include the size, location and assessments of homes, in addition to rental properties.

A primary goal is to help understand why some neighborhoods stay affordable. To that end, staff have identified common characteristics of homes in affordable areas and analyzed neighborhoods where homes have become more costly.

Thursday’s report also will provide a snapshot of the stock of mandated affordable housing, including moderately priced dwelling units and workforce housing designed for public agency workers and others.

 

WHO:
Montgomery County Planning Board

WHAT:
Affordable housing presentation

WHEN:
Thursday, February 14, approximately 2:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Park and Planning Headquarters
8700 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD

Montgomery County Economy Fueled by High-Tech, Government Jobs, Planning Department Researchers Say

SILVER SPRING, MD – While impacted by the widespread downturn in housing sales, Montgomery County’s economy appears well-positioned to weather the effects of the slowing national economy, thanks to a stable number of technology and federal government jobs.

That’s according to a report on the state of the local economy delivered today to the county Planning Board by its professional research staff. Researchers, characterizing the county as “relatively stable,” at the board’s request today provided a snapshot of the $64 billion annual economy.

The health of the local economy is built upon a combination of private and public sector jobs, most of which are high-wage posts held by highly educated staff. Almost a quarter of those jobs are in biotechnology and telecommunications.

Yet, the local economy is reliant on the federal government. The county’s proximity to Washington, D.C., means that many federal offices are located here, and they employ more than 68,000. Moreover, the federal government spent $6.8 billion on Montgomery County goods and services in fiscal year 2006 and was the largest renter of Montgomery County office space.

County researchers plan to continue to watch federal government trends, including the annual survey of federal installations that helps forecast local job growth. Last year, the survey predicted that the federal workforce in Montgomery County would increase by 80,000 by the year 2020. Researchers also will analyze new statistics on federal procurement, which had increased after September 11, 2001, but has slowed more recently.

The staff report also reviewed the health of commercial space and housing markets. Sublet office vacancies – called a key indicator of declining economic health – are rising, and housing sales have slowed considerably since a peak in 2003. While median home prices have not fallen, the average time a house remains on the market has risen sharply, suggesting that homeowners are waiting longer to sell homes rather than lowering prices.

Montgomery County continues to be a popular place to live, with most residents both living and working within its borders. Overall, the local population is home to well-educated people, with more than half of residents holding bachelor’s and advanced college degrees, and it continues to attract well-educated residents.

 

In Honor of Former Commissioner Eugene "Gene" Lynch, County Planning Board to Rename Silver Spring Park

SILVER SPRING, MD – To provide a lasting legacy for a man who held public service jobs throughout Maryland – most recently as part of the five-member Montgomery County Planning Board – the board today announced it will re-name a park in downtown Silver Spring the Eugene R. Lynch III Urban Park

Lynch, who died last week at age 50, was a Silver Spring resident who began his career as a civic activist. He went on to serve as chief assistant to Montgomery County Executive Neal Potter and as chief of staff to former Gov. Parris Glendening, among other political roles. Most recently, he worked as chief executive of an investment company financing private and government development.

Lynch, who joined the Planning Board last June, made an indelible mark, said Chairman Royce Hanson, who with the rest of the board approved the park re-naming today in a resolution.

“He brought his years of experience and wisdom to bear on both regulatory matters and master plans, on parks, and on budgets and administrative issues with a mixture of brilliant insight, tough judgment and quiet persistence,” Hanson said.

Silver Spring Urban Park, located at the northeast corner of Wayne Avenue and Colesville Road, is slated to be expanded and improved as part of the design of the Silver Spring Transit Center. Now in the design phase, the transit center will become a pedestrian-friendly hub for trains, buses, taxis and bicycles in one of the busiest transit areas in the county.

When the center opens, the park will be dedicated to Lynch’s memory. The location of the park, its urban design and its connection to mass transit make a fitting tribute to their former colleague, board members said.

 

Just How Does a New Park or Grocery Store Get Built? Watch Montgomery County’s New Instructional Video

SILVER SPRING, MD – To better inform Montgomery County residents and others interested in parks and development issues in Maryland’s largest jurisdiction, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission produced a 14-minute video explaining the agency’s role in the community.

The video, “Building Great Communities: Montgomery County, Maryland,” sheds light on how the agency works to maintain the area’s high quality of life. The outreach tool was the result of a public education partnership between M-NCPPC’s Montgomery County staff and County Cable Montgomery, the public TV arm of the Montgomery County Council.

Aimed at those who may be unfamiliar with planning but are interested in learning how the Department of Parks and Planning Department work, the video will be shown as part of selected Montgomery College courses, including civics classes for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

Viewers will learn more about how Montgomery County park staff and land-use planners acquire and manage popular parks, design thriving communities, establish environmental protections, and preserve working farms and cultural sites.

The video answers such questions as how new parks get built; the role of the Planning Board; how master planning manages growth in communities; how development projects get approved; what the county’s 400 parks offer visitors; and how to volunteer in the parks.

The presentation, available on DVD and VHS, makes a great kickoff to a community meeting. Check out “Building Great Communities” at your county library or see our online version . Request a free copy by contacting (301) 495-4604 or alexandra.teaff@mncppc-mc-org.

Montgomery County Planning Board Adds its Condolences Regarding Council Member Praisner’s Death

SILVER SPRING, MD – Members of the Montgomery County Planning Board expressed their deep sadness at the death of County Council member Marilyn Praisner, who died today following heart surgery.

The longest-serving woman on the council, Praisner was in her fifth four-year term.

Praisner worked closely with the Planning Board on issues ranging from the bi-annual Growth Policy to master plans to the protection of the Agricultural Reserve in her role as chair of the county’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee.

“Marilyn Praisner was a dear friend of many years,” said Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson. “Her death is both a personal loss and great tragedy for the county, which she served with devotion, vigor and imagination for many years as an irreplaceable champion of good government and a better environment. She made important contributions to both with a passion for detail that never lost sight of the larger picture. She epitomized the best in Montgomery County politics.”

Montgomery County Planning Board Commissioner Eugene "Gene" Lynch Dies After Illness

SILVER SPRING, MD – Montgomery County Planning Board Commissioner Eugene “Gene” Lynch, who played key roles in local and state politics for close to two decades, died Thursday night after a battle with cancer.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as we share the loss of a wonderful colleague and exemplary public servant,” said Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson. “Gene’s service as a Park and Planning commissioner was emblematic of his career – deep devotion to the public interest, incisive analysis of issues, creative problem-solving and extraordinary wisdom. Our lives and work were enriched by his friendship and example.”

The Montgomery County Council had appointed Lynch, 50, to the five-member board last June.

In 2002 and 2003, Lynch served as chief of staff for former Gov. Parris Glendening. That followed a four-year stint as the governor’s deputy chief of staff. Glendening now chairs the board of directors of the development company Lynch founded in 2003, Smart Growth Investments.

“Gene was a valued friend and a great public servant for the many years that we worked together,” said Gov. Glendening. “His contributions to the state and Montgomery County are innumerable. His dedication to his many pursuits was exceeded only by his love for his family. He will be sorely missed.”

Lynch began his career in public service when he served as chief assistant followed by chief administrative officer for Montgomery County Executive Neal Potter in the early and mid-1990s. He was appointed secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services in 1996. Throughout the 1990s, Lynch served on many county and state civic committees ranging from advocating for the blind to school construction.

Throughout, Lynch focused on smart growth. Bill Mooney, a colleague at Smart Growth Investments, says Lynch was particularly proud of co-founding the Montgomery Housing Partnership and the work he performed in the 1980s with Shelter Works, a residential construction company that built more than 150 projects from $30,000 to $350,000. Much of that housing was in the District of Columbia.

A viewing has been scheduled for Monday evening, February 4, at the Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd., Silver Spring. A funeral service will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 10103 Georgia Avenue, at 11 a.m., Tuesday, February 5. A reception following burial will be at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton and is open to the public.