$1.63M Awarded To Montgomery Parks For Improvements

SILVER SPRING, MD — Montgomery Parks has received $1.63 million in funding from the State of Maryland during the 2021 legislative session, county officials announced Thursday.

Officials say the bond bill funding will help implement park projects in seven legislative districts — including ADA enhancements, trail and bridge renovations, and playground replacements.

"I am thrilled that our state legislators successfully secured millions in state aid for critical park projects," said Montgomery Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson. "These projects will not only improve the quality of our parks system but also the quality of life for our residents for many years to come."

The park's department also received $8.8 million in Program Open Space funding and an additional $10 million for the Powerline Trail — which, when complete, will connect South Germantown Recreational Park to Cabin John Regional Park.

Bond bill-funded projects for FY22 include:

• Damascus Recreational Park – athletic field lighting (District 14) - $225,000 – sponsored by Del. Anne Kaiser and Sen. Craig Zucker
• South Germantown Recreational Park – park upgrades including the installation of a parking lot at the bike skills area with ADA enhancements (District 15) - $150,000 – sponsored by Del. David Fraser-Hidalgo and Sen. Brian Feldman
• Willett Branch Greenway – land acquisition to create the planned Willett Branch Greenway in the Westbard community (District 16) -$550,000 – sponsored by Del. Marc Korman and Sen. Susan Lee
• Randolph Hills Local Park – replace trail bridge and renovate the hard surface trail connector from Randolph Hills Local Park to Rock Creek Trail (District 18) - $150,000 – sponsored by Del. Jared Solomon and Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher
• Wheaton Regional Park - trail renovation (District 19) - $200,000 – sponsored by Del. Vaughn Stewart and Sen. Ben Kramer
• Long Branch/Domer Ave Signature Bridge – replace existing trail bridge (District 20) - $200,000 – sponsored by Del. Lorig Charkoudian and Sen. Will Smith
• Fox Chapel Neighborhood Park – playground replacement and ADA improvements, removal of rubber surfacing. (District 39) - $150,000 – sponsored by Del. Kirill Reznik and Sen. Nancy King