The proposal will reduce the length of the open parkway to address neighborhood traffic concerns and restore Fridays to the schedule.
WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks, is proposing modifications to the Beach Drive open parkway for approval by the Planning Board at the June 13 meeting. If approved, the proposed changes will permanently reduce the open parkway portion of Beach Drive and restore the operating hours for the modified section of the open parkway to start at 9 a.m. on Fridays and end at 6 p.m. on Sundays (4 p.m. during the fall and winter months).
The Beach Drive open parkway currently spans 2.9 miles from Knowles Avenue to Connecticut Avenue. The modified open parkway eliminates the 0.7-mile section between Cedar Lane and Connecticut Avenue, due to lower usage and to address neighborhood traffic concerns.
Submit comments about the proposed changes through May 30, 2024.
A staff report highlighting the recommended modifications will be presented to the Planning Board on June 13 along with a summary of public input received on the proposed changes. The recommended modifications will be implemented starting June 21 if the Planning Board approves the proposal.
“After several years of study, data analysis, and outreach, Montgomery Parks is ready to recommend making this pandemic-era pilot project permanent with modifications,” said Miti Figueredo, Montgomery Parks director. “We are grateful to all the park users and neighbors who shared their feedback with us during this process, and excited to move forward with a project that makes more parks space available for recreational uses like biking, walking, and skating.”
The Open Parkways program was launched at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide additional outdoor space for recreation and exercise by closing portions of Sligo Creek Parkway and Beach Drive on weekends. Since its inception, more than one million users have utilized the Beach Drive Open Parkway. The new operating hours will match the operating hours for the Sligo Creek Parkway Open Parkway.
For more information about the open parkways please visit Roads and Parkways
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
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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