WHEATON, Md. — Montgomery Parks is recognizing and honoring the history, culture, and enduring contributions of the Piscataway people, whose ancestral homelands include present-day Montgomery County, through the installation of new interpretive signage at three park locations. The new signage was developed in consultation with local tribal leaders, historians, and cultural experts to ensure authenticity and respect.
The signage project is part of a larger initiative by Montgomery Parks to highlight the Indigenous experience in Montgomery County and across parkland. Additional Indigenous interpretive signs are in development and will expand on topics such as the importance of eels, trails, and waterways.
These signs, part of the “Remarkable Montgomery: Untold Stories” program, are located along the Capital Crescent Trail, at the Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail near Cedar Lane, and at the Agricultural History Farm Park.
“Indigenous peoples have lived, farmed, defended, and shaped this land for thousands of years,” said Miti Figueredo, director of Montgomery Parks. “This signage is a step toward honoring their deep connections to the land and ensuring park visitors understand and appreciate that legacy. We want the community to know—we are on Indigenous land, and their stories matter.”
The interpretive signs feature:
- Native farming techniques such as the “Three Sisters” method of planting corn, beans, and squash together—a sustainable practice innovated by Indigenous women and relevant to modern agriculture.
- Historical and contemporary presence of the Piscataway people, who continue to reside in the region, uphold their culture, and exercise sovereign rights despite centuries of displacement and assimilation efforts.
- Contributions of Native American veterans, including Chief Turkey Tayac (1895-1978), a Piscataway leader and World War I veteran who spent his life advocating for Indigenous rights and recognition.
Montgomery Parks’ Untold Stories program brings attention to historically marginalized communities whose stories have not always been fully represented in public spaces. For more information, visit MontgomeryParks.org/UntoldStories.
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. MontgomeryParks.org
Accessibility
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/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Accessibility for more information. ###