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The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

Sligo Creek Fest – Montgomery Parks and Community Groups

Montgomery Parks Groups

Stop by and learn more about the work that over fifteen different groups from Montgomery Parks are doing across the county, including demonstrations and hands-on activities such as:  

Young girl climbing tree

Arboriculture – Kids’ Tree Climbing

Montgomery Parks Tree Climbers teach children how to safely scale trees using a rope and harness.

Resource Analysis – Electrofishing Demos

Montgomery Parks Resource Specialists demonstrate how they collect fish for identification in freshwater streams.

Staff demonstrates fishing with nets in a large creek with attendees watching from the rocks
Roots to Rocks at Sligo Creek Fest

Roots to Rocks

Montgomery Parks’ Roots to Rocks program teaches children ages 6 and up the basics of biking with certified bike coaches.

Nature on Wheels

Enjoy a mobile natural science field station that brings environmental education (and cute critters) across Montgomery County.

Nature on wheels at Sligo Creek Fest
Shoppers at a plant sale

Brookside Gardens

Uncover the relationship between plants and their pollinators through hands-on activities and scientific demonstrations designed to spark curiosity about the natural world.

Community Gardens

Learn about volunteering with the Community Gardens program, get a veggie or fruit temporary tattoo, pick up materials for a seed bomb, and enjoy other fun, food-themed surprises.

germantown community gardens
A woman showing a demonstration in historic dress

History in the Parks

Discover the rich history of Montgomery County and learn more about its many historic sites.

Untold Stories

Explore the cultural heritage of Montgomery Parks. Try a family-friendly archaeology activity, share your favorite places and stories, and hear from staff about the important sites we preserve, including buildings and cemeteries.

Untold Stories booth at Sligo creek fest
solar field germantown

Sustainability

Learn how Montgomery Parks supports sustainability through conservation, green initiatives, habitat protection, and environmentally responsible practices. Participate in a sustainability-themed bingo card.

Montgomery Planning

Learn more about the Planning Department, which works to improve quality of life by conserving and enhancing the natural and built environment for current and future generations.

2 Montgomery Planning employees sit at Planning booth at Sligo Creek Fest. They both are smiling at the camera.
Park police horse at Sligo Creek Fest

Park Police

Get up close with Park Police horses and meet the officers who serve and protect the community.

Park Development Division

Meet our engineers and explore what goes into designing a park. Kids have the opportunity to design their own park using coloring materials, stickers, and more.

elm street parks playhouse jr. june 2024
A group of people practicing yoga poses

Park Academy Series

Learn about the Park Academy Fitness, Wellness, and Learning Class Series. Offered each season, the series provides a diverse selection of engaging classes for all ages and interests.

Program Access

Program Access staff ensure individuals with disabilities can participate in enjoyable leisure activities in accessible places and programs. They provide a Sensory Tent on-site for those who need a break from the festivities.

sensory tent program access
Recruitment table at Sligo Creek fest

Recruitment & Job Opportunities

Representatives from the Montgomery Parks Recruitment team are on-site to answer questions and share information about careers. Discover opportunities and learn how to contribute to our mission.

Enterprise

Discover family-friendly and fitness-focused activities at Montgomery Parks, including the Wheaton Ice Rink, Wheaton Tennis Courts, boating, and train rides.

volunteers cut plants

Weed Warriors Volunteer Program

Non-native invasive plants (NNIs) pose a serious threat to park health—but you can help. The Weed Warriors Volunteer Program empowers community members to assist staff in managing NNIs on parkland. Stop by the tent to see examples found in Montgomery County.

Community Groups

Friends of Sligo Creek

Say hello to Friends of Sligo Creek and learn more about their year-round events in support and appreciation of Sligo Creek and adjacent parkland.

friends of sligo creek logo
Sligo Creek Fest - Sligo Woods Civic Association

Sligo Woods Civic Association

Stay connected to your neighborhood through this all-volunteer organization that builds community by offering events and projects to meet neighbors, helps the community stay informed, and provides a forum for discussing issues affecting the neighborhood.

Friends of Brookside Gardens

Learn more about the Friends of Brookside Gardens, an organization dedicated to supporting the mission of Brookside Gardens. Their efforts help sustain programs that showcase the year-round beauty of nature while educating the public on the importance of proper plant care in preserving the environment.

Friends of Brookside Logo
Glenview Neighborhood Association Logo

Glenview Neighborhood Association

Stay connected to your neighborhood through the Glenview Neighborhood Association. A group of neighbors in the Wheaton/Silver Spring, MD area, roughly bounded by Georgia Ave, Dennis Ave, University Blvd, and Sligo Creek.