Media Center

MEDIA ADVISORY: Department of Parks & Randolph Civic Association Celebrate Stream Restoration at Waverly-Schuylkill Neighborhood Park

ROCKVILLE, MD—This Saturday, May 2, the Montgomery County Department of Parks and the Randolph Civic Association will join neighbors, friends and invited guests to celebrate the completion of the stream restoration project at Waverly-Schuylkill Neighborhood Park.

The Department of Parks recently restored approximately 1,000 linear feet of unnamed tributary to Rock Creek between Schuylkill Road and the Garrett Park Rail Station to stabilize the stream system, improve habitat and reduce erosion along the stream bank. This community-led celebration will include children’s activities, music and more.

WHO:
Montgomery County Department of Parks
Randolph Civic Association

WHAT:
Waverly-Schuylkill Stream Restoration Celebration

WHEN:
Saturday, May 2, 2009
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

WHERE:
Waverly-Schuylkill Neighborhood Park
11210 Schuylkill Road
Rockville, Maryland

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

Plant a Tree this Spring with Help from the Montgomery County Planning Department

SILVER SPRING, MD – To achieve a number of environmental goals in its ongoing efforts to “green” Montgomery County, the Planning Department has launched a program to encourage residents to plant trees in their yards.

Called Leaves for Neighborhoods, the campaign features a coupon valid at participating county nurseries. The $25 discount off native shade trees worth $75 or more is intended to increase the county’s tree canopy on residential property, which will bring a host of environmental benefits.  For example, trees help prevent erosion, improve local air quality and filter stormwater runoff to improve area streams and rivers.

Residents seeking to get involved with environmental stewardship will find the program easy to use. Moreover, trees have economic benefits. Shade trees can lower energy costs 15 to 30 percent by reducing the need for heating and air-conditioning.

The $25 coupon is available at http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/Leaves and will be distributed at area nurseries, Park and Planning headquarters and county park facilities in early May.

The campaign is funded by the Montgomery County Forest Conservation Fund. The county’s Forest Conservation Law may require property owners or developers to reforest or pay a fee in lieu of planting when they file applications with the Planning Department. The fees support the Leaves for Neighborhoods campaign, which will run from May 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010.

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Department of Parks to Complete Matthew Henson Trail in Early May, Grand Opening Celebration Planned for Saturday, May 9

SILVER SPRING, MD—Early next month, the Montgomery County Department of Parks will complete the Matthew Henson Hiker-Biker Trail—a project more than 8 years in the making.

“We are in the final stages of the project,” said Department of Parks Project Manager Marian Elsasser.

The Department of Parks received funding for the 4.2 mile, 8-foot-wide hard surface Matthew Henson Trail in 2003 and began construction November 2006. To address concern among trail opponents over environmental impacts on the surrounding parkland, forested area and trees, the new Matthew Henson Trail features 0.6 miles of wooden boardwalk.

The Department of Parks also planted close to 1,000 trees and shrubs along the Matthew Henson Trail—which begins at the intersection with the Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail at Winding Creek Local Park on Dewey Road, runs northeast through Matthew Henson State Park near Hewitt Avenue and Bel Pre Elementary School and continues east across Layhill Road to Alderton Road. 

The Department of Parks will officially mark the opening of the Matthew Henson Trail with a celebration on Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The celebration will take place at the park field behind the Global Mission Church located at 13421 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. The grand opening event—FREE and open to the public—will include park naturalist-led children’s activities, a Matthew Henson-themed scavenger hunt with prizes, trail hikes, giveaways, refreshments and a special dedication of the new trail pavilion in honor of Idamae Garrott—the late Montgomery County legislator whose support helped make the state owned Mathew Henson park a possibility. 

“This trail is an important connector to the Rock Creek Trail,” added Elsasser.

It also commemorates Matthew Henson, an African-American explorer and Marylander. Henson was born in Charles County, Maryland and was an associate of Commander Robert E. Peary during various expeditions, the most famous being a 1909 expedition which claimed to be the first to reach the Geographic North Pole. April 6, 2009 marked the 100th anniversary of Henson and Peary’s arrival at the North Pole.

For more on the Matthew Henson Trail and others in the Montgomery County parks system, visit www.MontgomeryTrails.org.

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

Montgomery Parks Annual Arbor Day Celebration, Sunday, April 26

DERWOOD, MD—It’s that time of year again—the Montgomery County Department of Parks annual Arbor Day celebration will be held Sunday, April 26 from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Agricultural History Farm Park, 18400 Muncaster Road in Derwood.

“Each year, our Arbor Day celebration is a chance to show our commitment to Montgomery County’s trees and forests,” said Department of Parks Arborist/Urban Forester Jeanne Kavinski. “This year, expect some old favorites and some new faces in the lineup of events.”

The schedule of activities for the 2009 Montgomery Parks Arbor Day celebration includes:

• 11:30 am – Twinbrook Story Tellers at the hay bales
• 12:00 noon – A performance by Oh Susannah! on the main stage
• 1:00 pm – Feathers the Clown on the main stage
• 1:15 pm – Montgomery County Tree City USA award and Champion Tree awards on the main stage
• 1:30 pm – Twinbrook  Story Tellers at the hay bales
• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Grammy® Award-winning Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer on the main stage

Throughout the day, event goers will also enjoy the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Scales and Tales program, music by The Cider Press Boys, balloon art with Jenny Henry the Clown, wood sculpting demonstrations by Masters of the Chainsaw, tree planting and tree climbing demonstrations, costumed characters: Johnny Appleseed, Smokey Bear and Woody the Tree.  Food available from Branded ’72 Pit Barbecue (formerly O’Brien’s) and Carmen’s Italian Ice, FREE hayrides, face painting, giveaways, popcorn, treasure hunt and games with prizes for kids and more.

“Join us for a tree-mendous day of fun, food and games,” added Kavinski!

Arbor Day is FREE and open to the public. The event takes place rain or shine. Parking is also FREE for all guests. The first 400 Arbor Day visitors receive FREE tree seedlings.

“Trees are one of the few truly renewable and sustainable resources that improve air and water quality, contribute to a healthier environment, and ultimately enhance the quality of life in our communities,” said Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett.

For the 14th year, Montgomery County has been recognized with the designation of Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to tree planting and tree care. Montgomery County met the four standards necessary to become a Tree City USA by having a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

For more on the Montgomery Parks Arbor Day Celebration, visit www.AgHistoryFarm.org.

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

Environmental Protection Director Bob Hoyt to Participate on Panel About Community Partnerships to Manage Invasive Species

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD--Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection Director Bob Hoyt will participate in a panel discussion on effective community partnerships during a seminar entitled, “Conservation Partnering: Invasive Species Management as a Successful Watershed Protection Partnership.”  The free seminar is targeted to community members, students, nonprofit employees, military personnel, government officials, business owners, land owners and others.  It will be held on April 30 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Naval Support Facility Carderock, Building 40, 9500 MacArthur Boulevard, West Bethesda.  It is organized and funded by the Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program, the U.S. Department of the Navy, and the Wildlife Habitat Council, with participation from The Nature Conservancy.

Hoyt will participate in the morning session, which will discuss invasive species management as an example of a successful, long-term partnership conservation program.   Joining Hoyt will be Carol Bergmann, Forest Ecologist for the Maryland National Parks and Planning Commission, L. Peter Boice, U.S. Department of Defense conservation team leader and director of the Legacy Program; Mary Travaglini, Potomac Gorge habitat restoration manager, The Nature Conservancy; Leo Miranda-Castro, biologist, Habitat Restoration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

In the afternoon, attendees will meet in small groups for interactive learning activities; tour Carderock natural areas, identify invasive species and discuss management strategies.

For more information, or to register for the seminar, email [email protected] or call Susan Reines Robinson at 240-247-0912. Registration is required.

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Media Contact:  Esther Bowring, 240-777-6507

Fun-Filled Events in Montgomery Parks This Saturday, April 18

SILVER SPRING, MD—This Saturday, April 18 the Montgomery County Department of Parks will be hosting fun-filled special events, park volunteers and more.  Below are brief updates:

• Rachel Carson Greenway Hikes: Montgomery Parks is hosting three hikes celebrating the Rachel Carson Greenway: “The Sense of Wonder” hike at Rachel Carson Conservation Park, 22201 Zion Road, Olney; Underground Railroad History hike at Woodlawn Manor Park, 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring; and Families and Kids Nature Fun hike at Burnt Mills Dam, 10700 Colesville Road (Rt. 29), Silver Spring.  All hikes start promptly at 10:00 am, rain or shine and are FREE to the public and do not require registration.

• Grand Opening Celebration of the Leland Neighborhood Park Playground: The Montgomery County Department of Parks will join the Town of Chevy Chase to celebrate the newly renovated playground at Leland Neighborhood Park from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. The celebration will be held at the Leland Community Center in the park, 4301 Willow Lane, Chevy Chase and will feature a performance by Magicians Without Borders.

• Garlic Mustard Challenge: For the second year in a row, the Department of Parks is calling all volunteers for this countywide community challenge to pull all the Garlic mustard—an invasive weed that kills park trees—they can, with chances to win prizes. For a complete list of times and locations, see www.WeedWarrior.org. Opportunities to take that challenge are also available on April 25 and 26.

• Anacostia Watershed Earth Day Cleanups: Montgomery Parks’ Earth Day park cleanups focus on the stream areas that affect the Anacostia Watershed. Cleanup sites include Long Branch, Matthew Henson Trail and several locations along Sligo Creek, which are part of the Friends of Sligo Creek’s annual “Sweep the Creek” event. For more information see www.AnacostiaWS.org. More park cleanups are also scheduled for April 19.

For more on Montgomery County’s parks system, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org.

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

Author to Recommend Ways to Partner with Nonprofits on Housing, Other Issues as Part of Planning Board Speaker Series

SILVER SPRING, MD – An expert in housing and philanthropy will bring ideas to tackle development challenges, such as planning for affordable housing, to the Montgomery County Planning Board on April 23 as part of its Growing Smarter Speaker Series.

Rick Cohen, a thought-provoking author who once directed the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, will explore the role of nonprofit and private organizations in creating social equity as communities grow.

His talk, “Leveraging the Role of Organizations in Housing and Development,” is the latest in a series of presentations as part of the board’s 2009 series. Cohen’s focus on what nonprofits might bring to the discussion of diverse housing needs is of interest to the Planning Board as it prepares to approve a new housing plan and form recommendations for the 2009-2011 Growth Policy.

Cohen will make a case that the civic sector has an even greater role to play during times of economic crisis. He will cover what nonprofits, foundations and public agencies should be doing to address smart growth, affordable housing and social equity during the economic downturn, particularly in the dynamic communities of Montgomery County.

With governments strapped for funds, Cohen’s message about what foundations around the nation are supporting in the areas of smart growth is timely. He will lay out the opportunities he sees for partnership and collaboration between nonprofits, foundations and government in good planning and development and what government might look to nonprofits to accomplish.

Cohen writes for Nonprofit Quarterly magazine, the nation’s premier journal of nonprofit policy and practice, as national correspondent and editor of the widely read Cohen Report. Cohen’s writing advocates increased philanthropic giving and access for disadvantaged and disenfranchised constituencies.

Prior to directing the philanthropic organization, he served as vice president of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation in charge of national strategic planning, vice president of the Enterprise Foundation directing field programs, and director of Jersey City’s Department of Housing and Economic Development. Cohen continues to provide consulting services to nonprofits, foundations and government agencies. He also worked for the Trust for Public Land in New York City and began his professional career as a planner with Action for Boston Community Development, one of the nation’s original anti-poverty agencies.
 
Who:
Montgomery County Planning Department

What:
Rick Cohen on “How Nonprofits, Foundations and Public Agencies Address Smart Growth, Affordable Housing and Social Equity”
Growing Smarter Speaker Series

When: 
7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 23

Where:
Park and Planning Headquarters auditorium
8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring

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Volunteer To Help the Environment During “Earth Month”

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD--The Montgomery County Volunteer Center invites residents of all ages to step up, sign up and help the environment by volunteering for any one of a variety of projects available throughout April.

The projects listed below are among those needing volunteers:

April 11 - Sign up as a team to help clean the Patuxent River at Brighton Dam. Compete in the Garlic Mustard Challenge! or similar projects across the county to remove invasive plants in parks. These are ideal for families with children of all ages.

April 18 - Participate in an Earth Day and Environmental Education Event for people of all abilities at Calleva Outdoors Inc. Learn about sustainable farming, how to make biodiesel fuel and how to help maintain trails.

April 25, 26 - Label Storm Drains in the Little Falls Watershed.

April 25 - Celebrate Earth Day and learn about waste reduction, recycling and buying recycled goods through hands-on activities with presentations and crafts at the Division of Solid Waste Services (Dept. of Environmental Protection) Earth Day Event.

April’s Earth Day projects are part of the Volunteer Center’s “Seasons of Service” series of events coordinated by the Volunteer Center to help promote community efforts to make a difference throughout the year. Other Seasons of Service events are summer’s “Ready to Learn” activities collecting school supplies and back packs for needy students, October’s Community Service Day, and for winter, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service in January.

For information on these events and volunteer opportunities throughout the year with hundreds of registered nonprofits, call the Volunteer Center at 240-777-2600, email [email protected] or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteer

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Media contact: Bonnie Ayers, 240-777-6507
Program details: Molly Callaway, 240-777-2600

Spring Forward with Montgomery Parks and Volunteer!

SILVER SPRING, MD—Saturday, April 4 more than 1,000 volunteers cleaned up at more than 35 Montgomery park locations as part of the 21st annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup, www.PotomacCleanup.org.

“Our sincerest thanks to all the volunteers cleaning up in the parks this past Saturday,” said Department of Parks Group Volunteer Coordinator Lynn Vismara. “But don’t worry, there are lots more opportunities this spring to get your hands dirty by lending a hand!”

Throughout April, the Montgomery County Department of Parks has a variety of volunteer opportunities available: 

• Garlic Mustard Challenge, various park locations and times, April 18, 25, and 26
  An exciting community challenge to pull all the Garlic mustard—an invasive weed that kills park trees—you can, with chances to win prizes. For a complete list of times and locations, see www.WeedWarrior.org.

• Anacostia Watershed Earth Day Cleanups, various park locations times, April 18 and 19
  Our Earth Day park cleanups focus on the stream areas that affect the Anacostia Watershed. Cleanup sites include Long Branch, Matthew Henson Trail and several locations along Sligo Creek, part of the Friends of Sligo Creek’s annual “Sweep the Creek.” For more information see www.AnacostiaWS.org. 
  

• Muddy Branch Greenway Trail Construction, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, April 18
  Come help finish the newest portion of this long-distance trail from Gaithersburg to Blockhouse Point and the C&O Canal. This workday will focus on excavating and flattening the trail surface with hand tools between Esworthy and River roads. For more trail volunteer opportunities, see www.MontgomeryTrails.org.

• Black Hill Regional Park Trail Maintenance, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm, April 19
  Join Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) for a day of great spring work in one of our most popular regional parks. Work will entail deberming edges with hand tools to improve drainage, minor rerouting, painting tree-blazes to mark the trails and other tasks as needed.  For more trail volunteer opportunities, see www.MontgomeryTrails.org.

To volunteer with the Montgomery County Department of Parks and to find more about these and other opportunities, visit www.ParksVolunteers.org.

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

Department of Parks Welcomes Bike Riders on Popular Rock Crek Regional Park Trails

ROCKVILLE, MD—Starting this Saturday, April 4 six popular natural surface trails in Rock Creek Regional Park will be open to bicycle use for the first time. Before now, bikes have not been permitted on any of the natural surface trails within Rock Creek Regional Park.

“This creates an additional 3.75 miles of trails in the park for bicyclists to enjoy, “said Department of Parks Regional Operations Manager Jim Humerick, “something that the bicycle community has been requesting for some time now.”

Effective April 4, the Department of Parks will permit bicycle use on the following trails on the west side of Lake Needwood in Rock Creek Regional Park: Westside Trail, Gude Trail, Lake Ridge Trail, Parilla Path, Blue Heron Trail and Dogwood Run. 

The parks department made the change in accordance with the Rock Creek Regional Park Master Plan and the Upper Rock Creek Trail Corridor Plan, which was approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board in October 2008.  Both the park’s master plan and the Upper Rock Creek Trail Corridor Plan call for increasing the amount of trails to fill gaps in the existing trail system and expanded trail use.

Park trails on the east side of Lake Needwood, north of the boat rental, will remain for hikers only to ensure quiet areas for fishing.

Rock Creek Regional Park is one of the most popular parks in the Montgomery County parks system, with opportunities for boating and fishing, 18 picnic shelters, more than 13 miles of trails including a portion of the Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail, a National Recreational Trail as designated by the US Department of the Interior, and more. 

For more on Rock Creek Regional Park, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org.

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