WHEATON, Md.— Montgomery Parks celebrates spring with the return of Sunday Serenade and tours at Kingsley Schoolhouse and Oakley Cabin. There’s also more Acoustics and Ales, a plant sale, Maryland Archaeology History Hour and several offerings for people ages 55+.
Montgomery Parks’ April events highlights include:
Underground Railroad Experience Trail Guided Hike | Saturdays beginning March 30 | 10-11:30 a.m.
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring
Learn about the experience of 19th century freedom seekers and Montgomery County residents in a guided hike of the Underground Railroad Experience Trail at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park in Sandy Spring. Discover techniques used for navigation, eluding detection, and finding food/shelter on the perilous journey. Content appropriate for ages 7 and older. Registration required. $8 per person.
Roots to Rocks | Thursdays beginning April 4 | 5-7 p.m.
Various locations
Montgomery Parks’ Roots to Rocks program aims to increase access to mountain biking through safe and fun mountain biking opportunities. Ages 6 and older. Free.
Shine Brighter Together | April 6 (Rain date: April 13) | 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Wheaton Regional Park, 2000 Shorefield Road, Wheaton
Participate in hands-on, sensory-friendly activities while learning more about autism and the variety of resources available in Montgomery County. An Autism Acceptance Month event. Free.
Archaeology Tour | April 6, 13, 20, 27 | 11–11:30 a.m.
Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda
Learn about the features and artifacts that inform our understanding of the Rev. Josiah Henson’s life at Riley Plantation. Ages 6 and older. Tickets available at the front desk on the day of the tour. $3 per person (fee does not include museum admission).
Acoustics and Ales and Tails | April 6 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Elm Street Urban Park, 4600 Elm Street, Bethesda
Socialization for humans and their furry, four-legged companions. Food and drink for all is available for purchase (*beer for humanoids only). Petey and Furends rescue organization will be on-site with adoptable pets. The Vinyl Tap duo will provide musical accompaniment for the afternoon. Free.
Sunday Serenade | April 7, 14, 21, and 28 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Cabin John Regional Park, 7400 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda
Join us at the amphitheater for a different live music performance each Sunday. Bring seating or a blanket. Pastries will be available for purchase.
- Eric Scott Band (4/7, R&B/Funk); Zachary Smith and the Mardi Gras Kings (4/14, Louisiana/New Orleans styles); Geno Marriott (4/21, Smooth Jazz); ZADIA and Jeremiah Miles (4/28, Neo-Soul). Free.
Eco Board Games: Teen Edition | April 10 | 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
School’s out for the day so spend the morning playing fun board games about the natural world. Practice cooperation, strategy and critical thinking skills and explore a variety of science topics. Ages 11–16. Registration required. $20.
DC Environmental Film Festival | April 10 | 7–8:45 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Brookside Gardens is partnering with the DC Environmental Film Festival to present two films: “Troubled Tributary: Maryland’s Patuxent River” and “Upstream, Downriver.” These documentaries shine a light on how pollution and climate change are disproportionally affecting communities of color in the DC region. Join us for an evening of storytelling and discussion about how you can help make our community more environmentally sustainable and equitable.
Moderator: Maggie Stogner, Executive Director, Center for Environmental Filmmaking, American University
Panelists:
Ruby Stemmle, Founder and CEO, EcoLatinos
Sadie Drescher, Vice President of Programs for Restoration, Chesapeake Bay Trust
Fred Tutman, CEO, Patuxent Riverkeeper
Brian Coyle, Ph.D., Executive Officer, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Ages 18 and older. Registration required. Free.
History Hour | April 18 | 6–7 p.m.
Josiah Henson Museum and Park, 11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda
Cassandra Michaud, Montgomery Parks archaeologist and lead archaeologist of the excavations at Josiah Henson Park will present for Maryland Archaeology Month. Refreshments provided. Arrive early (doors open at 5 p.m.) and take a self-guided tour of the museum. Ages 12 and older. Registration required. $5 per person.
Brookside Gardens Plant Sale | April 20 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Get a jump start on spring gardening. Choose from a wide selection of plants, including native varieties of perennials, shrubs and small trees grown at Montgomery Parks’ Pope Farm Nursery. Also get advice from staff horticulturists for the best plants for your garden.
Electric Landscape Equipment Exhibit | April 20 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Learn the latest in eco-friendly landscaping tools, including electric mowers, trimmers, and blowers and Montgomery Parks’ efforts to replace gas-powered equipment with electric. Engage with Brookside Gardens’ staff during hands-on demonstrations. All ages. Free.
The Lodge at Little Seneca Creek: Spring Open House | April 21 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
14500-A Clopper Road, Boyds
Nestled on 26 acres of wooded parkland, The Lodge at Little Seneca Creek is ideal for special events of all occasions. Meet with venue staff and professional area vendors including caterers, event planners and designers, hair stylists, makeup artists, DJ’s and more. No registration required (guests may RSVP using the form on the event page). Free.
Introduction to POUND Fitness | April 27 | 10 – 10:45 a.m.
Norbeck Muncaster Mill Neighborhood Park, 4101 Muncaster Mill Road Norbeck, MD 20853
Unleash your inner Rockstar in this introductory class to POUND. POUND is a drumming-inspired cardio workout that uses Ripstix (lightly weighted drumsticks) to tone your body. Infused with Pilates based movements, strength training and plyometrics, you’ll leave class feeling alive, confident and strong! It’s a perfect way to destress after your workday. Let’s jam to the beat of good music, move your body, and have fun! Please bring a yoga mat. Ripstix’s will be provided by the instructor for in class use. Free. Registration is required; no walk-ins.
Programs for 55+:
Hike to Parks Unknown Beginner and Intermediate: Seniors | April 12 and 26 | 1–2:30 p.m.
Ray’s Meadow Local Park, 2901 East-West Highway, Chevy Chase
Rachel Carson Conservation Park, 22201 Zion Road, Olney
Registration required. $10 per person.
Strong & Fit (55+) | April 16–May 21 | 10–11 a.m.
Dewey Local Park, 11720 Dewey Road, Wheaton
Registration required. Free.
55+ Nature Book Club: Book Review | April 16 | 6:30–7 p.m.
Sligo Avenue Neighborhood Park (Activity Building), 500 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring
Register to become a member. Free.
Socials for 55+: Cosmic Connections Stargazing | April 23 | 7:30–9 p.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville
Registration required. $4 per person.
Attractions opening for the season:
Eye Spy Trains at Cabin John Regional Park and Wheaton Regional Park open weekends.
Kingsley Schoolhouse Tours | First Sunday of the month, April 7–October | 1–4 p.m.
Little Bennett Regional Park, 24472 Clarksburg Road, Clarksburg. Free.
Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park: Guided Tours and Open House | Second and Fourth Saturdays of the month, April 13–October | 12–4 p.m.
3610 Brookeville Road, Olney. Free.
Montgomery Parks is a co-sponsor of the following events taking place in parks during the month of April:
- RespectFest: April 7 | 1–4 p.m. | Wheaton Local Park
- Takoma Park Earth Day Celebration: April 20 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park
- Long Branch Earth Day: April 20 | 3–5 p.m. | Flower Avenue Urban Park
- 7th Annual MCPL Rang Aur Patang Utsav–Kites and Color Festival: April 21| 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Black Hill Regional Park
- Gas and Steam Show: April 27| 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Agricultural History Farm Park
Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Visit the Spring 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.
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. 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.
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