
WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks announces programming and operating hours for the Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day holiday weekend. Josiah Henson Museum and Park will have a special opening and there are several volunteer opportunities to celebrate the MLK Day of Service.
Open Parkways schedule
The Open Parkways will be extended for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend. During this time, parkways are open to pedestrians and bicyclists and closed to motor vehicles.
- Beach Drive between Knowles Avenue and Cedar Lane (2.2 miles)
- Friday, January 17, at 9 a.m. until Monday, January 20, at 4 p.m.
- Sligo Creek Parkway between Old Carroll Avenue and Piney Branch Road and between Forest Glen Road and University Boulevard West
- Friday, January 17, at 9 a.m. until Monday, January 20, 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. However, this process may take up to 30 minutes to complete.
Special holiday opening
Josiah Henson Museum and Park, Special opening, Monday, January 20, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Regular hours: Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday 12–4 p.m. (Admission: $4, children and seniors; $5, adults. Parking is 1.5 blocks away at the Shriver Aquatic Center in Wall Local Park, located at 5900 Executive Boulevard).
Join a MLK Day of Service event
Here are a few fun activity ideas for the MLK holiday weekend
- Parks, trails, gardens, 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.)
- Nature centers (Saturday and Sunday only)
- 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.
- Campfire rings are available for rental at several locations.
- Ice Skating at Cabin John Ice Rink or Wheaton Ice Arena (Classes will be held as scheduled)
- Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center and Wheaton Indoor Tennis (Classes will be held as scheduled)
- Little Bennett Campground
The following facilities will be CLOSED on Monday, January 20, 2025:
- Montgomery Parks Headquarters and Permits Offices
- Montgomery Parks Customer Service Office
- Brookside Gardens Visitor Center and Conservatory (Gardens remain open)
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.
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.
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), 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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