Wheaton, MD – Montgomery Parks, in partnership with the Emory Grove United Methodist Church, celebrated the installation of new informational signs at Johnson’s Local Park in Gaithersburg. Nearly one hundred Emory Grove residents and descendants gathered on Sunday, March 1, 2026, to commemorate the community’s enduring legacy as a cornerstone of Montgomery County’s African American history.
Johnson’s Local Park sits at the heart of what was once the thriving community of Emory Grove, founded in 1864 by formerly enslaved people. The new signs, available in English and Spanish, share personal stories of daily life, annual religious gatherings, and the people who built and sustained Emory Grove across generations. An audio post plays first-person accounts and reflections, deepening the connection between the park and the history it preserves.
“Montgomery Parks is honored to join the Emory Grove community to help preserve and share this important history,” said Miti Figueredo, director of Montgomery Parks. “Families trusted us with their memories, and these interpretive signs ensure that their stories will be accessible to the broader community for generations to come.”
Johnson’s Local Park is named in honor of businessman Edward Johnson who bought the land in 1947 and created an entertainment hub for African Americans, with a dance pavilion and a premier ballpark with a lighted field. The park hosted local Black baseball sandlot games and major African American baseball stars from the late 1940s into the 1960s. Johnson sold his land to Montgomery County in 1970. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission eventually acquired it from the county, and the public park opened in 1974.
“Emory Grove is a place that lives in the heart,” said Carolyn Taylor, a fourth-generation Emory Grove descendant. “There are no original houses left – there is the church, and there’s the park. Those of us who are still here love each other and extend our love to all of you, hoping that you will come to Johnson’s Park.”
“I grew up in a nearby African American community,” said State Delegate Gregory Wims. “We didn’t have a dentist, doctor, grocery store or a big park, so my family would come to Emory Grove every week. Emory Grove shaped my life and my family’s life. It is important that people recognize Emory Grove’s significance to African American history in this region.”
“For generations before urban renewal, Johnson’s Local Park served as a gathering place for families, the setting for church events and camp meetings, and a famed baseball venue for local Black sandlot and Negro League teams. Our entire community owes everyone who participated in this project gratitude for sharing their stories,” Councilmember Dawn Luedtke said. “Thank you to Emory Grove community leaders and Montgomery Parks for creating these important markers and for working with us to restore the park according to its historic past.”
The new interpretive signage at Johnson’s Local Park is part of Montgomery Parks Untold Stories program, which highlights meaningful history connected to parkland.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages 416 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 its high-quality parks and recreation services.
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 Accessibility for more information.
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