Downtown Bethesda park closing for renovations beginning in early June

Caroline Freeland Park will be closed the remainder of 2023

WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks, is closing Caroline Freeland Urban Park in downtown Bethesda for renovations, beginning in early June 2023.   The one-acre park sits at 7200 Arlington Road, between Hampden Lane and Elm Street.  It will be closed for the remainder of this year.  

Once completed, the renovated park will feature a new central lawn and a large seating terrace. Accessible pathways will provide easy access to new amenities, including a larger playground, bench swings, and bicycle parking.  The lighting and the entire streetscape fronting the park will be improved, including a new entry plaza. Hampden Lane will be renovated into a more pedestrian-oriented plaza, while maintaining required emergency vehicle access through the park. 

“This renovation will modernize the park and provide a place where children can play, adults can meet friends for lunch or just find a spot to enjoy nature and read a book.” said Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks.  

Caroline Freeland Park is named for the first female chair of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Montgomery Parks developed the park renovation plan in cooperation with the nearby Edgemoor Citizens Association and the broader community.  

The park is projected to reopen in 2024. 

About Montgomery Parks     Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 420 parks. 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.  

                                                            ###