WHEATON, Md. — Montgomery Parks is inviting residents to share their perspectives and knowledge through a new online survey, part of an effort to preserve and share the history of Black baseball and softball in Montgomery County. The survey asks how familiar residents are with this history and how they would like to see it recognized and interpreted in the parks system. The survey will be open until June 30.
“Montgomery Parks recognizes the importance of Black baseball and softball in the history of our community,” said Elena Guarinello, a cultural resources planner for Montgomery Parks. “We are working with descendants to preserve these stories for future generations, and the survey will help us understand how park patrons want to learn about them.”
In the early 20th century, many Black residents in Montgomery County lived in kinship communities founded after the Civil War by formerly enslaved people. These communities built their own fields and formed baseball and softball teams for men and women. Because Major League Baseball excluded Black players until 1947, many of the era’s most talented players competed in these local teams, drawing large crowds. The games were often paired with picnics or dances, making them major social events that strengthened community bonds.
The Black baseball and softball community heritage project is part of Montgomery Parks’ Untold Stories initiative, which highlights diverse and often overlooked histories connected to parkland throughout the county.
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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