Montgomery Parks announces March special events and programs

WHEATON, Md. —  Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, has an inviting lineup of special events and programs in March, including a variety of hikes, birdwatching, Parks Ale Trail and more.  

March events in Montgomery Parks include:  

Mini Open House | March 1 | 6 – 8 p.m.  
Lodge at Little Seneca Creek, 14500-A Clopper Road, Boyds, MD 20841 

Surrounded by 26 acres of wooded parkland, The Lodge at Little Seneca Creek is the perfect natural setting for all types of special occasions, as well as business meetings. Free.  

Morning Tweets and Tea | March 3 | 9 – 10 a.m.   
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817                         

Bring a thermos of your favorite morning beverage and indulge your passion for birding at Cabin John Regional Park and learn beginner birding techniques. Bring a pair of binoculars or borrow them from the nature center. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. Free. 

Read Across America Day Storypalooza | March 2 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. 
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville, MD 20905 

It’s Read Across America Day! To celebrate, we’re bringing out some of our favorite nature books to read and act out. Attendees are welcome to bring their own books to add to the fun! Ages 3–5. Registration required. $3. 

 
Park in the Dark | March 3 | 6 – 7 p.m.   
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902 

Explore Wheaton Regional Park during this evening hike to see who’s out and about after the sun sets. Ages 6 and older. Registration required. $7. 

 
(Almost) Full Moon Hike | March 4 | 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.   
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville, MD 20905 

We will use the light of the moon to help guide us on a hike through the woods, meadow, and ponds of Maydale as we explore the sights and sounds that surround us. Ages 6 and older. Registration required. $4. 

Babes in a Backpack | March 8 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.  

Black Hill Visitor Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD 20841 

Fun naturalist-led family-friendly hike. Most trails are not stroller accessible, so backpack or carrier are needed for younger children. All ages. Registration required. $2. 

Letters from Farmville: Connecting Civil Rights, Black Farmers and Meditative Paths | March 9 | 6:30 – 8 p.m.  
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902 

Artist Dr. Debra Ambush will explore her African American family heritage and the shared connections between Black farming, the Civil Rights Movement, and her love of gardening. She will be joined by renowned African American scholar and archaeologist Dr. Cheryl LaRoche, who will be moderating the conversation. Throughout the program the Allen Ambush Jazz Quartet will provide live entertainment. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. Free.  

Introduction to Landscape Design: Sessions I and II | March 11 and 25 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.  
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902 

Learn the fundamentals of landscape design to create functional, enjoyable and beautiful outdoor spaces. Each session will focus on different concepts. This class is offered virtually as a live, online webinar though the Zoom platform with audience Q & A. After registering, a link will be emailed 24 hours prior to the live webinar. A recording of the lecture will be sent to registrants to access online for up to 30 days.  Registration required. Ages 18 and older.  $12 (per session). 

Parks Ale Trail | March 11 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.  

Lake Needwood Trails at Rock Creek Regional Park, 15700 Needwood Lake Circle, Rockville, MD 20855 

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a hike around Lake Needwood and food and drink from El Cumpa, Catalyst Hot Dogs, Corned Beef King, A Taste of Montreal, Churros, Inc., True Respite Brewing, Waredaca and Just Pralines. Kids can test their strength with free tree climbing and enjoy inflatable rides, plus lawn games for all ages. Nature on Wheels will be on site for fun, engaging nature activities. All ages. Free. 

Now We’re Cooking with Fire | March 12 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817  

Campfire skills class to elevate outdoor cooking technique. Each participant will receive a campfire cooking starter kit ($10 value) to take home. Workshop is designed for women and non-binary individuals. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $20. 

Early St. Patrick’s Day Celebration | March 15 | 2 – 3 p.m. and 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 

Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD 20855 

It’s an MCPS early release day so spend the afternoon on a scavenger hunt to find a pot of gold, make a rainbow and other crafts and activities. The 2 – 3 p.m. session will be designed for ages 6 –8 and 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. for ages 9 –12. Registration required. $7. 

St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Hunt | March 17 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. 

Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville, MD 20905 

A leprechaun is on the loose at Maydale. Come and follow his trail and find some of the “gold” he’s left behind along the way. Ages 3–5. Registration required. $6. 

Beginning Birding for Every Body! | March 18 | 9 – 10 a.m. 

Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902 

 Join a Brookside naturalist and learn the basics of birding on a frustration-free “flat” bird practice trail. Stroll or roll to each bird station and learn proper use of binoculars, how to navigate a field guide. Ages 16 and older. Registration required. $7. 

Cuentos y Caminos | March 18 | 2 – 3 p.m.  

Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD 20855 

Enjoy a Spanish-language story and then discover the park through activities that bring the story to life. This program is in Spanish. All ages. Registration required. Free. 

Hiking Trip to North Point State Park | March 21 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.  

Black Hill Visitor Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD 20841 

Bring in the Spring solstice with a hike at North Point State Park on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $40. 

Chirp and Herp Hike | March 24 | 9 – 11 a.m.  

Black Hill Visitor Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD 20841 

Amphibians are waking up and seeking mates (aren’t we all?) while the first spring birds are making their way to the area. Hike the trails of the Rachel Carson Conservation Park searching for spring herps and birds. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $12. 

Pysanka Egg Dyeing Class | March 31 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.  

Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD 20855 

Learn about the art of Pysanky, the meanings and powers of pysanky symbols in Slavic culture and create your own pysanka egg.  Ages 14 and older. Registration required. $10. 

Spring Fire Night | March 31 | 6 – 8 p.m. 

Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902 

Night campfire with campfire snacks, friends, neighbors and a park naturalist. Ages 6 and older. Registration required. $7. 

Montgomery Parks is a co-sponsor of the following event taking place in parks during the month of March:  

Kites over Clarksburg: March 25 @ Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park 

Visit the Spring 2023 Montgomery Parks Program Guide. Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar to view a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery.  

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 Program Access for more information.