WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks announces July Fourth operating hours and events, including extending Open Parkways on Thursday, July 4, fireworks displays and Shakespeare in the Park.
Celebrate Independence Day at one of these Montgomery Parks co-sponsored events:
- Thursday, July 4, 7‒10 p.m.: Germantown Glory at South Germantown Recreational Park (18041 Central Park Circle, Germantown) *BMX Pump Track will be closed all day.
- Saturday, July 6, 6‒10 p.m.: Mid-County Sparkles at Newport Mill Local Park (11201 Newport Mill Road, Wheaton).
Open Parkways schedule
The Open Parkways will be extended during the July Fourth holiday weekend. During this time, parkways are open to pedestrians and bicyclists and closed to motor vehicles.
- Sligo Creek Parkway between Old Carroll Avenue and Piney Branch Road and between Forest Glen Road and University Boulevard West
- Thursday, July 4, at 9 a.m. until Sunday, July 7, at 6 p.m.
- Beach Drive Knowles Avenue and Cedar Lane (2.2 miles)
- Thursday, July 4, at 9 a.m. until Sunday July 7, at 6 p.m.
*Please note: Gate closures are intended to be completed by the times listed above. The re-opening of the parkways begins at the times listed above. However, this process may take up to 30 minutes to complete.
More events July Fourth weekend
- Saturday July 6, 7:30‒9 p.m., Shakespeare in the Parks: A Midsummers Night’s Dream, Meadowside Nature Center
- Sunday, July 7, 1‒4 p.m., Kingsley Schoolhouse Tour, Little Bennett Regional Park
Additional facilities open July Fourth weekend
Following is a sampling of facilities that are open during the holiday weekend.
- Parks, trails, gardens nature centers, playgrounds, dog parks, skate parks, outdoor exercise stations, and outdoor tennis/pickleball and basketball courts* are open daily, sunrise to sunset. (*Select outdoor courts are available for rental.)
- The in-line hockey rink at Ridge Road Recreational Park and street hockey/futsal rink at Dewey Local Park may be permitted, or are available first-come, first serve if not reserved.
- Picnic shelters and campfire rings are available for rental at several locations.
- Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center and Wheaton Indoor Tennis (Closed July Fourth)
- Little Bennett Campground
- Cabin John Miniature Train and Wheaton Miniature Train and Carousel (July Fourth hours, 9:30 a.m.‒4:30 p.m.)
- South Germantown Driving Range (July Fourth hours, 9 a.m.‒6 p.m., last bucket sold at 5 p.m.)
- Brookside Gardens grounds open daily sunrise-sunset, Visitor Center open daily 9 a.m.‒5 p.m., Conservatory open daily 10 a.m.‒5 p.m.
- Josiah Henson Museum and Park, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 12‒4 p.m. (Park grounds open sunrise to sunset)
- Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park Museum & Visitor Center: Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.‒4 p.m., Sunday, 12‒4 p.m.; Manor House guided tours: Saturday, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. (Park grounds and trails open sunrise to sunset)
The following facilities will be CLOSED on July Fourth, Thursday, July 4, 2023:
- Montgomery Parks Headquarters and Permits Offices
- Montgomery Parks Customer Service Office
- BMX Pump Track at South Germantown Recreational Park
- Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena
- Wheaton Indoor Tennis and Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center
- Indoor nature facilities (Meadowside Nature Center is undergoing building and meadow renovations. However, outdoor programs are continuing during the project. Trails and nature play areas for all nature centers remain open from sunrise to sunset).
Need a jump-start on your weekend planning? Visit the Ways to Discover Your Happy Place newsletter for a weekly list of fun things to do or see in Montgomery Parks.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 419 parks. Montgomery Parks is focused on promoting physical activity, social connectivity, and environmental stewardship, especially in diverse and urbanizing areas, with an emphasis on teens, working-age adults, and seniors. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems.
Parks Accessibility Programs Office
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Program Access for more information.
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