Veterans and active-duty military skate for free
WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks announces Veterans Day weekend operating hours and programs. We invite veterans and active-duty military to enjoy free public ice skating sessions and to visit our parks and facilities.
Veterans Day special event
On Sunday, November 8, military personnel (veterans and active duty) skate for free during public sessions at
- Cabin John Ice Rink (12 to 2 p.m.) and
- Wheaton Ice Arena (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Open Parkways Fall/Winter schedule*
The Open Parkways will operate on a normal fall/winter schedule for Veterans Day.
- Beach Drive between Knowles Avenue and Cedar Lane (2.2 miles) and Sligo Creek Parkway between Old Carroll Avenue and Piney Branch Road
- Saturdays at 7 a.m. through Sundays at 4 p.m.
- Sligo Creek Parkway between Forest Glen Road and University Boulevard West
- Fridays at 9 a.m. through Sundays at 4 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 and may take up to 30 minutes to complete.
Additional facilities open on the holiday include:
- Parks, trails, gardens, nature center trails, and outdoor nature play areas, 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.)
- Play a game at the new disc golf course at Northwest Branch Recreational Park (permit required for tournaments).
- The inline 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 served, if not reserved.
- Picnic shelters and campfire rings are available for rental at several locations.
- Little Bennett Campground
- Locust Grove Nature Center, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Meadowside Nature Center, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The following facilities will be CLOSED on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2026
- Montgomery Parks Headquarters and Permits Offices
- Montgomery Parks Customer Service Office
- Brookside Gardens (Grounds open daily, 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.
Montgomery Parks manages 417 parks and more than 37,000 acres of parkland. Our parks, programs, and facilities promote physical activity, social connection, and environmental stewardship. As part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery Parks is committed to creating equitable, inclusive, and accessible park experiences. M-NCPPC has been stewarding public lands since 1927 and has been nationally recognized for high-quality parks and recreation services. MontgomeryParks.org
Accessibility at Montgomery Parks
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 Program Access for more information.
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