Parks’ Picks

Parks’ Picks

Shop for holiday gifts for your pup. Take in a winter light show. Discover birding as a new family hobby. Discover these and other activities around Montgomery Parks for December 2 to 4, 2022.

Trees wrapped in pink and purple lights at Garden of Lights. In the middle of the photo is a large sculptural ball.

Holidays

(Update: Holiday Barket is now canceled Saturday, due to rain in the forecast.)

What is on your list for your furry family member? Find presents and enjoy some holiday fun with your dog at our first Holiday Barket on Saturday, December 3, 10 am to 1 pm, at Cabin John Regional Park. Gift and food vendors, photo opportunities, pet services, crafts, and more! Free admission!

Enjoy the glow at Garden of Lights this weekend. Brookside Gardens invites you to stroll and take in its winter light show featuring hand crafted light displays with more than one million lights. Open this Friday, December 2, to Sunday, December 4, from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm nightly. Advance tickets for ages five and older are required.

Nature

How do animals thrive and survive the cold months? Learn through self-guided activities and programs at Locust Grove Nature Center during Animals in Winter this Friday, December 2, to Sunday, December 4, from 1 pm to 5 pm daily.

(Update: Honeybee 101 for this Saturday is canceled.)

Brookside Nature Center is a hive of activity at Honeybee 101 on Saturday, December 3, 2 pm to 3 pm. Montgomery County Beekeepers Association members are buzzing to answer your questions about the insect. So, swarm by.

Introduce the kids to the joys of watching and learning about our feathered friends at Birding for the Family on Saturday, December 3, 10 am to noon, at Black Hill Visitor Center. Start at the feeding stations, walk to the bird blind to observe waterfowl on the lake, then make a bird treat to take home.

Volunteering

Give back this holiday season and help remove invasive, nonnative plants to create healthier environments for native plants to grow in our parks. Weed Warriors has events in four parks this weekend.

There is one workday at Long Branch-Wayne Local Park on Friday, December 2, 9 am to 11 am.

And, on Saturday, December 3, there are three events: Maydale Conservation Park, 10 am to 11:30 am; Westmoreland Hills Local Park, 1 pm to 3 pm; and Rock Creek Regional Park, 2 pm to 4 pm.

For these and other activities, visit the calendar of events and Things to Do on our website.

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Discover Parks' Picks 2022

Parks' Picks: Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend

Family and friends in town for the holiday? Get outdoors and enjoy nature together in the parks! Check out these suggested activities for Thanksgiving weekend.

Ice Skating

Everyone loves ice skating! Our indoor ice centers—Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena—have public skating sessions this Friday, November 25, to Sunday, November 27. Visit our website for skating schedules.

Museum

Looking for other indoor activities? Head to Josiah Henson Museum and introduce your out-of-town guests to local history, as well as the inspirational life of Reverend Josiah Henson. The abolitionist, author, and pastor was once enslaved on a plantation at the site that’s the museum today. He escaped with his family to Canada to live a free life. Josiah Henson Museum is open Friday, November 25, and Saturday, November 26, from 10 am to 4 pm, and Sunday, November 27, from 12 to 4 pm.

Open Parkways

Go running, biking, walking, skating, or scootering on our car-free streets, part of Montgomery Parks’ Open Parkways program. Sections of Beach Drive and Sligo Creek Parkway open on Wednesday, November 23, at 9 am, and close Monday, November 28, at 7 am. Two lanes of Little Falls Parkway are open from sunrise to sunset as part of a linear park pilot project.

Trails

Share some of your favorite views around the parks from our trails. Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. Trek your favorite trail or find a new one on our Trails Directory.

Winter Lights

Take in Garden of Lights together at Brookside Gardens. Saunter and enjoy the winter light show featuring hand-shaped light forms and more than one million lights. Garden of Lights is open 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm nightly from Friday, November 25, to Sunday, November 27. All visitors five and older must have advance tickets.

Programs

Keep the children busy with programs at Brookside Nature Center. Learn about wild turkeys at Wild Neighbors Campfire on Saturday, November 26, at 10:30 am. Adults with kids three to seven will enjoy Nature Story Time on Sunday, November 27, at 3:30 pm. Registration required.

Finally….

Our parks, botanical gardens, playgrounds, and other amenities are open this holiday weekend. However, facilities and offices may be closed or have reduced operating hours. Before leaving home, visit our website for information.

For these and other activities, visit the calendar of events and Things to Do on our website.

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Parks' Picks: things to Do November 18 to 20, 2022

Lights, animals, explore! Check out these activities in the parks this weekend!

Winter Lights

Saunter through dazzling displays of more than one million lights at Brookside Gardens’ Garden of Lights. The winter light exhibition opens this Friday, November 18, to Sunday, November 20, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. All visitors five and older must have advanced tickets.

Animals

Join the community science Project FeederWatch at Locust Grove Nature Center on Friday, November 18, 11 am, and help staff count birds at their feeders.

What do Brookside Nature Center’s animal ambassadors eat for lunch? Find out on Sunday, November 20, 1:30 pm, during Feed Me! Feed Me!

Exploration

Our nature centers offer other opportunities to explore nature.

Meadowside Nature Center’s Sensory Friendly Days on Friday, November 18, 10 am, provides self-guided outdoor activities and a fall craft for families with individuals who have sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities.

Enjoy a nature or animal story with your little one at Nature Story Time on Sunday, November 20, at 3:30 pm. Then, do a craft, play a game, take a short hike, or visit with an animal friend.

At Maydale Nature Classroom, take the family on a Night Hike on Friday, November 18, 7 pm, or work together to find everything during the Fall Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, November 19, 2 pm.

And….

Look for our entry and give us a shout in the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade in downtown Silver Spring on Saturday, November 19, 10 am to 12 pm.

For these and other events, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Parks' Picks: Things to Do November 11 to 13, 2022

Ice skating, hiking, storytelling, volunteering, and more! Discover these programs in the parks for Friday, November 11, to Sunday, November 13!

Veterans

Montgomery Parks honors military service members past and present with Veterans Day Skate. Veterans and active duty service members, along with their families, receive free admission and skate rental on Sunday, November 13, at Cabin John Ice Rink, 12:30 to 2:30 pm, and at Wheaton Ice Arena, 3 pm to 5 pm.

Nature

Locust Grove Nature Center invites adults eighteen and older to learn to build a campfire during the Outdoor Skills Workshop: Making Fire on Sunday, November 13, at 10 am. Registration required for each class.

During Creature Feature, Brookside Nature Center staff introduce visitors to a new animal that lives at Wheaton Regional Park. Creature Feature on Saturday, November 12, 2:30 pm to 3 pm, is a free program, but registration is required.

Storytime

Bring the kids to Brookside Gardens’ free Drag Story Hour on Saturday, November 12, at 11 am. Please note new program guidelines: Advanced registration for children required. Each child may be accompanied by two adults. Adults without children are not permitted.

Volunteers

We have four volunteer opportunities this weekend. Students looking for Student Service Learning (SSL) hours can get artsy and help Paint a Storm Drain Mural at Spencerville Local Park on Saturday, November 12, 11 am to 2 pm. Please sign up.

Also on Saturday, November 12, there are three Weed Warrior events. Learn to identify nonnative and invasive species and remove them to create healthier environments for native plants and wildlife in our parks. Weed Warrior workdays are at Cabin John Stream Valley Park, 9 am to 11 am; Maydale Conservation Park, 10 am to 11:30 am; and Capital Crescent Trail, 1 pm to 3 pm.

For these and other activities, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Parks' Picks: Activities in the Parks November 4 to 6, 2022

Citizen science, freedom celebration, outdoor happy hour, and more!

It’s another jam-packed weekend of activities in the parks!

Nature

Meadowside Nature Center features its Women’s Fire Making Class on Friday, November 4, at 9 am. Learn to identify fire materials, collect them, then practice with a bow drill and flint and knap to create sparks so you have a roaring fire. Please register.

Help Locust Grove Nature Center staff identify birds at its birdfeeder for the national citizen science Project FeederWatch. The program is every Thursday and Friday in November at 11 am. Free but sign up.

Discover all about chipmunks that make Wheaton Regional Park their home during Wild Neighbors Campfire at Brookside Nature Center on Saturday, November 5, at 10:30 am. Then, we will toast marshmallows and make s’mores! Register, please.

Celebration

Montgomery Parks celebrates Maryland’s Emancipation Day with special events at its historic sites. On Saturday, November 5, visit Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park for free storytelling, quilt making, archaeology activities, hearth cooking demonstrations, and guided tours from 12 pm to 4 pm. Stop by Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park also Saturday, November 5, for free admission at the Woodlawn Museum from 10 am to 4 pm. And, take the guided tour at 10 am and 1 pm on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail. Register online or onsite for this program. Finally, on Sunday, November 6, 1 pm to 4 pm, Harper Cabin at Brookside Nature Center will have free storytelling, reenactors, and musical performances.

Maydale Nature Classroom invites everyone to its Community Celebration on Saturday, November 5, 1 pm to 4 pm, with free live music, fall crafts, apple cider making, campfire, s’mores, and more!

Beer and Coffee

Meet up with friends and neighbors for beverages and fun this weekend! Acoustics and Ales is at Elm Street Urban Park in Bethesda on Saturday, November 5, 11 am to 2 pm, with music, food, and local brews. And, live jazz comes to Cabin John Regional Park Amphitheater during Sunday Serenade on Sunday, November 6, 10 am to 11:30 am. All free!

Volunteer

Learn to identify invasive and nonnative plants and ways to remove them in the parks during our Weed Warrior workdays. Volunteer for one or all three this weekend: Bullis Local Park on Friday, November 4, 8:30 am to 10:30 am; Rock Creek Stream Valley Park on Saturday, November 5, 12 pm to 2 pm; and Meadowood Local Park on Sunday, November 6, 2 pm to 4 pm.

For these and other activities, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Parks' Picks: Things to Do in Parks November 4 to 6, 2022

Ride our new bike park. Enjoy a jazz concert. And, celebrate Halloween in the parks this weekend!

Halloween

Get the kids into their costumes and ride our Halloween Eye Spy Trains at Cabin John Train and Wheaton Train and Carousel on Saturday, October 28, and Sunday, October 29, from 11 am to 6 pm. Search for characters during your ride and keep track of them on your Eye Spy Train card. Buy online or onsite for the last train rides of the season.

Kids can ice skate while in costume during Not So Spooky Skate. Trick or treat at the rinks, participate in a costume contest, and make Halloween crafts. Not So Spooky Skate is Friday, October 28, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, at Cabin John Ice Rink; and Friday, October 28, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at Wheaton Ice Arena. Please sign up online.

Life is gourd at Brookside Nature Center on Saturday, October 29. Create bats, spiders, or other creepy creatures during Campfire Time: Carving Pumpkin Critters at 10 am. Pumpkins, tools, designs, and decorations supplied. Register each person for one pumpkin.

Dia de Los Muertos

Día de Los Muertos from November 1 to 2 honors the memories of ancestors. Learn to make the traditional Mexican art papel picado using natural materials at Meadowside Nature Center on Saturday, October 29, 1 pm. Bilingue: Papel Picado is in both English and Spanish. Registration required.

Mountain Biking

We cut the ribbon on our new bike park on Saturday, October 29, 1 pm to 3 pm. Ride The Pit at Fairland Bike Park in Fairland Recreational Park. Bring your own mountain bike or borrow one of ours during the event. Limited stock.

History

Freedom’s Footsteps at Josiah Henson Museum and Park kicks off Maryland’s Emancipation Day festivities. Mark the moment on October 28, 1830, Josiah Henson and his family arrived in Canada and began their free lives. Free activities and museum admission Friday, October 28, to Sunday, October 30, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Music

Enjoy the free jazz concert with Bach to Rock during Sunday Serenade this Sunday, October 30, 10 am to 11:30 am, at Cabin John Regional Park Amphitheater. Pastries and coffee for purchase.

For these and other activities, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Parks' Picks: Things to Do October 14 to 16, 2022

Jazz concert, hikes, campfire, bird watching, and more! Lots of weekend events around parks to enjoy and to volunteer for!

Music

Start your Sunday mornings with our free jazz concert at Cabin John Regional Park Amphitheater. Sunday Serenade on October 16, 10 am to 11:30 am, features the New Orchestra of Washington. Breakfast foods and coffee for purchase.

And, we have more music this weekend during Acoustics and Ales. Vinyl Tap performs Saturday, October 15, 11 am to 2 pm, at North Four Corners Local Park in Silver Spring. Free admission! Food and drink vendors onsite.

Wellness

Brookside Gardens offers Yoga Sprouts for families with children ages three to seven on Saturday, October 15, 10:30 am. The program promotes mindfulness, connection, and movement in the beautiful outdoor setting of the gardens. Registration required.

Animals

Crows are crafty and highly intelligent. Learn about the bird with the kids during Brookside Nature Center’s Wild Neighbors Campfire on Saturday, October 15, 10:30 am. Bring your own s’mores supplies. Please sign up.

Search for animals during a unique scavenger hunt. Stop by Maydale Nature Classroom on Sunday, October 16, 2 pm to 4 pm, to pick up your list of clues for the Spooky Skull Hike. Then, head out to try to find the skulls and identify the creatures. Program requires registration.

Adults, take up the hobby of birdwatching. Find out the basics at Locust Grove Nature Center’s Morning Tweets and Tea on Friday, October 14, at 9 am. All participants must register.

Volunteer

Finally, we have opportunities to give back and participate in a number of volunteer events this weekend. You can help remove invasive plants during four Weed Warrior workdays at various parks or maintain trails at Fairland Recreational Park.

Find these and other events on our calendar of events or “Things to Do” on our website.

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Things to Do: October 7 to 9, 2022

This weekend around Montgomery Parks, you can do the time warp, make a basket, trek into the past, and celebrate one of our nature centers. Check out these activities!

Film

Are you shivering with anticipation? We are screening “Rocky Horror Picture Show” this Friday, October 7, 6 pm, at Northwest Branch Recreational Park. Free admission and free prop bags to first 100 participants. Costumes encouraged. Recommended for mature audiences seventeen and older. Carpooling encouraged. Park Police will be onsite for traffic control. Neighbors encouraged to walk to event.

Trains

The kids can dress up this weekend for rides on our Halloween Eye Spy Trains. Take a trip to Train-sylvania and search for hidden characters on your journey. Trains run at Cabin John Train and Wheaton Train and Carousel Saturday, October 8, and Sunday, October 9, 11 am to 6 pm. Tickets available onsite and in advance.

History

**Update: The basket workshop is canceled.**

Lots happening at Montgomery Parks’ historic sites on Saturday, October 8! Get crafty at Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park at 10 am at the Beginners Basket Making Workshop. Registration required.

Oakley Cabin also offers free tours of this historic home on Saturday, October 8, 12 pm to 4 pm. Drop-in and learn about Montgomery County history.

Take an evening guide tour of the Underground Railroad Experience Trail at 6:30 pm during Twilight Trek at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. Reserve your space online.

Literature

Bring the kids to Brookside Gardens’ Drag Queen Story Time on Saturday, October 8, at 11 am. The free outdoor program includes stories, songs, and games with presenter D’manda Martini.

Nature

On Sunday, October 9, connect with nature on the water and celebrate six decades of one of our nature centers. Paddle with Black Hill Nature Programs staff to explore Little Seneca Lake by kayak at 4:30 pm. Must have basic paddling experience. Advance registration necessary.

Finally, you are invited to Brookside Nature Center’s sixtieth birthday celebration on Sunday, October 9, 1 pm to 7 pm, with free cake, s’mores, and activities! Consider carpooling as parking is limited.

For these and other things to do, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Parks' Picks: Things to Do September 30 to October 2, 2022

Skating, campfires, and concerts! Here are six activities happening around Montgomery Parks Friday, September 30, to Sunday, October 2.

Nature

Meadowside Nature Center has fall-themed outdoor activities during Sensory Friendly Days on Friday, September 30, 10 am, for visitors of all ages with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities. Registration required.

Update: Campfire 101 is canceled for Saturday, October 1, due to rain.

Hone your camping skills during Campfire 101. Learn log stacking, lighting techniques, and fire safety during this program at Brookside Nature Center on Saturday, October 1, 10 am. Bring a snack to roast and toast over your roaring fire.

Autumn

The Friends of Agricultural History Farm Park invite you to Fall on the Farm on Saturday, October 1, 11 am to 4 pm. Visit the farm animals. Take a hayride. Watch blacksmith, woodworking, and sawmill demonstrations. And, enjoy activities, live music, and more! Free admission and parking

Skating

Kids four to eight can dress up as their favorite movie or storybook character for Fairy Tale Skate on Friday, September 30, 2:15 pm, at Cabin John Ice Rink. Program includes a group lesson, practice time, and crafts.

Concert

Clarence Ward III and his band Dat Feel Good perform at Cabin John Regional Park Amphitheater during Sunday Serenade on Sunday, October 2, 10 am to 11:30 am. Bring chairs or blankets to enjoy the free jazz concert. Food truck onsite for coffee and breakfast.

History

Finally, discover Montgomery County classrooms of the past during a free tour of the one-room historic Kingsley Schoolhouse on Sunday, October 2, 1 pm to 4 pm, at Little Bennett Regional Park.

Check out these and other activities on the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Parks' Picks: Things to September 23 to 25, 2022

Fall into autumn this weekend by volunteering, exercising, hiking, or learning about nature. Check out these activities around parks for Friday, September 23, to Sunday, September 25.

Volunteer

National Public Lands Day is this weekend. Celebrate by volunteer for a park cleanup, trail maintenance, or Weed Warrior event, or enjoying a program on Saturday, September 24, or Sunday, September 25.

Hike

Trek into Oktoberfest at Parks Ale Trail on Saturday, September 24, 11 am to 3 pm. Hike Lake Needwood Trails then enjoy a cold local brew and lunch at two beer gardens. Free admission!

Calm

Find your center in the beauty of Brookside Gardens on Saturday, September 24. Adults can relax during Yoga at Brookside Gardens at 9:30 am. Parents can join their kids—ages three to seven—for Yoga Sprouts at 10:30 am.

Engage

Visitors of all ages can connect with nature in the parks this weekend.

Young ones ages six months to three years will enjoy Play Day at Germantown Town Center Urban Park on Friday, September 23, 11 am to 12 pm.

Learn about birds of prey at Meadowside Nature Center’s Raptor Caretaker Chats, on Saturday, September 24, at 12 pm.

Finally, children ages three to seven will enjoy a tale and activity during Nature Story Time at Brookside Nature Center on Sunday, September 25, 3:30 pm.

For these and other programs, events, and activities, visit our calendar of events or “Things to Do” on our website.

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Things to Do: September 16 to 18, 2022

Dancing at Salsa in the Park, time with your pups at Yappy Hour, PARK(ing) Day, and more! Get ready for a fun weekend as our fall events get rolling!

Dancing

Get your groove on at our last installment of Salsa in the Park. as we kick off Hispanic Heritage Month Thursday, September 15, 5 to 8 pm, at Long Branch-Arliss Neighborhood Park! Follow instructors for dance lessons, listen to live music, and eat fantastic food and beverage. Free admission!

Dogs

No, that is not a typo! Get ready for our fall Yappy Hour Thursday, September 15, 6 to 8 pm, at Elm Street Urban Park. Bring your dog to play with other pups at the pop-up dog park. Of course, there will be alcohol vendors for the adults twenty-one and older, as well as vendors selling food and non-alcoholic beverages. Yappy Hour is a partnership with Bethesda Urban Partnership.

Celebration

Celebrate PARK(ing) Day with Montgomery Parks and other county agencies and organizations at our Wheaton Headquarters, 2425 Reedie Drive, in Wheaton. Wheaton PARK(ing) Day on Friday, September 16, 12 pm to 6 pm, is a fun repurposing of parking spaces to draw attention to safer, greener, more equitable streets. You can hang out and enjoy music, free Italian ice, lawn games, and an LED light bulb exchange.

Native Plants

Shop a beautiful selection of native plants at Locust Grove Nature Center’s Native Plant Sale Saturday, September 17, and Sunday, September 18, from 10 am to 2 pm. Pick from a unique selection of plants and help support the nature center’s education programs.

Concert

Enjoy amazing opera outdoors Sunday, September 18, 4:30 pm to 7 pm, at Warner Circle Local Park! A group of singers will give a fantastic hour–and–a–half performance that you, your friends, and your family will surely love. Montgomery Parks is a proud sponsor of this event.

For other activities, visit our calendar of events, and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Parks' Picks: Things to Do September 8 to 11, 2022

Outdoor happy hour, storytimes, nature walks, and history treks! It’s a weekend packed with programs and events in the parks!

Beer Garden

Raise a cup of craft beer to toast the end of your hard work this week at Acoustics and Ales. The event at Germantown Town Center Urban Park on Friday, September 9, 5 pm to 7:30 pm, features live music, beer vendors, food trucks, and games. Free admission!

Storytime

Bring the kids for tales and more to Drag Queen Story Hour at Brookside Gardens on Saturday, September 10, 11 am, and Nature Story Time at Maydale Nature Classroom, on Sunday, September 11, 3:30 pm. Drag Queen Story Hour is free, but Nature Story Time requires registration.

History

Explore history in your backyard with a free tour of the nineteenth century Oakley Cabin at Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park on Saturday, September 10, 12 pm to 4 pm.

Learn about Maryland history during the Underground Railroad (UGRR) Experience Trail Guided Hike at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park on Saturday, September 10, 10 am, and find out about freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, techniques they used to navigate north, as well as challenges and opportunities.

Nature

Take a leisurely stroll through Cabin John Regional Park and enjoy last show of colors of the season during Wildflower Walks on Sunday, September 11, at 10 am. Best for ages sixteen and older. Register, please.

Finally, check out these weekend events cosponsored by Montgomery Parks: Long Branch Festival, Bluegrass on the Farm, Parks Half Marathon, and Damascus Freedom 5K.

For other activities, visit our calendar of events, and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Parks' Picks: Things to Do September 2 to 4, 2022

September is upon us, and fall is just around the corner! Enjoy our outdoor summer activities before they are gone for the season. Check out these activities in the parks this Labor Day weekend from Friday, September 2, through Sunday, September 4!

History

Join us at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park Saturday, September 3, from 10 am to 4 pm to commemorate International Underground Railroad Month with a guided hike, museum admission, and a free children’s take home activity! The guided hike is offered at 10 am and 1 pm.

Campfire

Bring your family to Wild Neighbors Campfire at Brookside Nature Center, Saturday, September 3, 10:30 to 11:00 am, for a fun time around the fire learning about all the nature living in our backyards! Feel free to bring your own s’more supplies! Registration is required.

Art

Do you or your child want to make a beautiful stepping stone for your yard or garden? Come to Create Your Stepping Stone at Locust Grove Nature Center on Sunday, September 4, between 3:00 to 5:30 pm. You will have a chance to make a stone for yourself and for the nature center! Registration is required.

Squirrels

See Maryland’s native flying squirrels at Brookside Nature Center! Join us on Friday, September 2, from 8:15 pm to 8:45 pm to look for and learn about these nocturnal animals. Registration is required.

Boats and MiniGolf

Do not miss the last chance to experience our lakes by boat, as they close for the season after the holiday weekend. Go paddling or pedaling with a boat rental from Black Hill Boats at Black Hill Regional Park Saturday, September 3, to Monday, September 5, 10 am to 6 pm, and from Lake Needwood Boats at Rock Creek Regional Park on Saturday, September 3, and Sunday, September 4, 10 am to 3 pm.

Also, it’s the last summer weekend to cool off at SplashPark and MiniGolf at South Germantown Recreational Park. The facility is open Saturday, September 3, to Monday, September 5 from 10 am to 6 pm.

Visit our website for more Labor Day weekend activities and facility holiday operating hours.

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Things to Do in Montgomery Parks: August 26 to 28

School is back in session next week! So, enjoy this last weekend of summer break with the kids. Discover these family activities in the parks Friday, August 26, through Sunday, August 28!

Animals

Cuteness comes out when the sun sets at Brookside Nature Center. Watch flying squirrels and learn about them during the program of the same name on Friday, August 26, at 8:30 pm. Registration required.

Discover the hobby of birding during Morning Tweets and Tea at Locust Grove Nature Center on Saturday, August 27, at 8 am. Bring your favorite hot drink and enjoy it while finding out about beginning birding techniques. Please register.

History

Trek into history on the Underground Railroad Trail Guided Hike on Saturday, August 27, 9:30 am. During the two-mile hike, learn about techniques nineteenth century freedom seekers used for navigation, eluding detection, and finding food and shelter on their perilous journeys. Sign up online. Limited registration onsite before program.

The historic Oakley Cabin was part of a small community African American community from late nineteenth century into the twentieth century. Discover more about the home, its residents, and community members during the free tour on Saturday, August 27, 12 pm to 4 pm. No registration. Just drop in.

Nature

Two opportunities to explore nature with the kids this Saturday, August 27! Black Hill Visitor Center offers the free Meadow Hunt from 1:30 pm to 3 pm. Participants must register. Pick up your scavenger hunt sheet at the center then come back for your prize!

Explore sights and sounds of the woods, meadow, and pond at Maydale Conservation Park during the End of Summer Night Hike at 8:30 pm. All individuals must register.

Entertainment

Settle in and be entertained by solo and group performances of local figure skaters during Wheaton Ice Arena’s Summer Ice Skating Exhibition on Saturday, August 27, at 5:45 pm. Free admission!

And….

There is still more fun! Ride our miniature trains and vintage carousel. Go paddling, pedaling, or rowing in a kayak, canoe, rowboat, or pedal boat. Introduce the kids to golf by working on their swings and putts. And, enjoy water play at our splash pad and a game of miniature golf.

Before leaving home, visit our website and check facility operating hours.

For more information, visit the calendar of events or “Things to Do” on our website.
Things to Do in Montgomery Parks: August 18 to 21

Get out to the parks this weekend before unofficial summer ends and the school year starts up! From comedy shows to campfires we have it all going on. Check out these programs in Parks Pick for Friday, August 19, to Sunday, August 21!

Laugh

Enjoy an alcohol-free event with a great lineup of comedians at Seltzer: A Sober Comedy Hour on Friday, August 19, from 6 to 9 pm at Cabin John Regional Park! There will be mocktails and food vendors onsite. Come laugh with us! Free admission!

Nature

Summer is winding down, so get outside in our parks while you can to learn about native wildlife! Join us at Brookside Nature Center for Flying Squirrels on Friday, August 19, from 8:30 to 9 pm or Turtle Talk on Saturday, August 20, 10:30 am. See native flying squirrels or eastern box turtles!

Play

Get your little ones out and exploring the natural world! Come to Play Day in the Park at Black Hill Visitor Center on Sunday, August 21, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm.

Campfire

Summer nights are coming to an end and so is the perfect weather for campfires. Join a naturalist for songs, games, and, of course, s’mores at Campfires at Black Hill on Saturday, August 20, at 7:30pm!

For details, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Parks' Picks: Things to Do August 12 to 14, 2022

Get the family into the parks this weekend for nature, puppets, history, and more! Check out these five programs in Parks’ Picks for Friday, August 12, to Sunday, August 14!

Exploring

Discover amphibians and reptiles during Locust Grove Nature Center’s Full Moon Fridays on Friday, August 12, 6:30 pm. Go for a hike then enjoy a campfire. Bring your own food to cook over the fire. Registration required.

Entertainment

The classic fairy tale “Rapunzel” comes to life through the artistry of The Puppet Co. on Saturday, August 13, 10 am, at Falls Road Local Park. Bathrooms available. Dogs welcome. Free!

Reading

Enjoy tales and beauty of Brookside Gardens during the outdoor Drag Queen Story Hour on Saturday, August 13, at 11 am. Free program! Cosponsored by WAM and FAM and Drag Queen Story Hour of Montgomery County.

History

Explore history in your backyard and take a free guided tour of the historic Oakley Cabin on Saturday, August 13, 12 pm to 4 pm, at Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park.

Hike into history during the Twilight Trek at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park on Saturday, August 13, 6:30 pm. Register online or purchase tickets onsite.

For details, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Parks' Picks: Things to Do August 4 to 7, 2022

We have some exciting summer programs and events happening this weekend around Montgomery Parks Thursday, August 4, to Sunday, August 7.

Dancing

Update: Due to weather, Salsa in the Park is canceled.

Come dancing with us at Salsa in the Park at Wheaton Forest Local Park this Thursday, August 4, from 5 to 8 pm. There will be salsa lessons, live music, and food and beverage vendors onsite!

Hiking

Learn about history at the Underground Railroad Trail Guided Hike at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park this Saturday, August 6, at 9:30 am. Discover techniques used by freedom seekers for navigation, eluding detection, and finding food and shelter on their perilous journeys north.

Playtime

Summer is heating up, which means it is the perfect time to play outdoors and cool down in the sprinklers! Come out to Sprinkles, Bubbles, and Rainbows at Black Hill Visitor Center to run through the water and play with bubbles this Sunday, August 7, from 1 to 3 pm.

Animals

Come see eastern box turtles at Turtle Talk on Saturday, August 6, from 10:30 to 11 am, or look for Flying Squirrels this Friday, August 5, from 8:45 to 9:15 pm at Brookside Nature Center. Registration required.

Science

Want to learn more about urban heat islands? Get educational resources or volunteer for National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration’s (NOAA) Urban Heat Island Mapping campaign this Sunday, August 7. Montgomery Parks is participating with other local organizations in the project to gather data around the county to determine urban heat islands. Stop by Acorn Urban Park at 2 pm for the final special event.

For these and other programs, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Parks' Picks: Things to Do July 28 to 31

From puppets to play days! Discover programs happening this weekend around Montgomery Parks for Thursday, July 28, to Sunday, July 31.

Playtime

Explore nature with staff from Black Hill Visitor Center during Play Day at Germantown Town Center Urban Park on Thursday, July 28, 11 am to 12 pm. The free program is for children ages six months to three years.

Hike

Trek into local history on the Underground Railroad Trail Guided Hike on Saturday, July 30, 9:30 am, at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. Register online or at the park’s visitor center.

Performance

Parents, bring the children to the free performance of “Rapunzel” by The Puppet Co. on Saturday, July 30, 10 am, at Edgewood Neighborhood Park. The puppet show is part of Parks Playhouse Junior’s summer program series.

And, later on Saturday, July 30, pack a picnic, chairs, and blankets, and enjoy Chamber Music in the Circle at Warner Circle Special Park from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Free!

Nature

What do turtles have for breakfast? Do frogs eat lunch? Find out during Nature Center’s Brookside Feed Me! Feed Me! The free program is Sunday, July 31, at 1:30 pm.

Dancing

Just a reminder to mark your calendar for our next Salsa in the Park on Thursday, August 4, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Wheaton Forest Local Park.

For these and other programs, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Parks' Picks: July 21 to 24

Latino Conservation Week and check out these other events around Montgomery Parks Thursday, July 21 to Sunday, July 24.

Celebrate

Latino Conservation Week is wrapping up, but there are still free, fun events for you to attend! Check out Salsa in the Park happening Thursday, July 21, from 5 to 8 pm at Waring Station Local Park. Also, come to our Latino Conservation Week Fiesta, on Saturday, July 23, from 5 to 10 pm at Wheaton Regional Park! We’re showing the film “Encanto” in English with Spanish subtitles. Free transportation from Wheaton and Glenmont Metro stations.

Tours

(Update: Oakley Cabin tours for Saturday, July 23, are canceled, due to extreme heat.)

Take a free guided tour of the historic log cabin at Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park on Saturday, July 23, from 12 to 4 pm, and learn about the African American community that worked there from emancipation through the twentieth century.

Entertainment

Immerse yourself in a presentation of the Shakespeare tragedy “Macbeth,” presented by Prince George’s Shakespeare in the Parks! The show is Friday, July 22, 7:15 pm, at Meadowside Nature Center. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Free!

Birding

Do you want to see cool native birds? Come out to Morning Tweets and Tea at Locust Grove Nature Center on Saturday, July 23, at 8 am! You will learn all about beginner birding techniques. This program is for individuals at least eighteen years of age.

Yoga

Our yoga classes are a great way to relax your body and mind this summer! Come out to Brookside Gardens for a peaceful yoga session on Saturday, July 23, 9:30 am. This event is intended for those eighteen and up. Bring your own mat.

For more activities, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website!

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Parks Picks: Things to Do July 15 to 17, 2022

My, oh, my! It’s mid-July! And, we have lots of summer fun this weekend! Check out these events around Montgomery Parks Friday, July 15, to Sunday, July 17.

Hiking

Bring the family for a full moon hike followed by a campfire during Full Moon Friday at Locust Grove Nature Center on Friday, July 15, at 6:30 pm.

Trek into history on the Underground Railroad Trail Guided Hike on Saturday, July 16, 9:30 am, at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. During the two-mile hike, you will learn about freedom seekers and their perilous journeys north.

Wellness

Take some time and focus on your wellness this weekend. Yoga at Brookside Gardens has openings for the class on Saturday, July 16, at 9:30 am.

Laughter

Laughter is relaxing and relieves stress. We know you’ll be laughing with comics at Comedy As a Second Language on Friday, July 15, 6:30 pm to 9 pm, at Long Branch-Arliss Neighborhood Park. The comics are all immigrants who will share stories and jokes about their work, family, and lives. The free event is a partnership with Montgomery Parks’ Park Playhouse and Improbable Comedy.

Kayaking

Experience (the) wildlife and peaceful environment of Little Seneca Lake by boat. Register your family members ages twelve and older for Black Hill Nature Programs’ Lake Tour by Kayak on Sunday, July 17, at 9 am.

Party

We’re launching Latino Conservation Week with our free Kick-off Fiesta on Saturday, July 16, 5 pm to 10 pm, at Wheaton Regional Park. Free movies and activities! Bring the kids to see “Encanto!” And, free bus rides from Glenmont and Wheaton Metro stations to Wheaton Regional Park from 4:30 pm to 11:30 pm. Latino Conservation Week runs from July 16 to 24 with many free programs, but some require registration.

Animals

What do Brookside Nature Center’s animal ambassadors eat? Join staff on Sunday, July 17, 1:30 pm to 1:45 pm, for Feed Me! Feed Me! Learn what turtles and toads have for lunch. Free, but please register.

For more activities, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website!

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Parks' Picks: Things to Do October 21 to 23

Lots of fall fun with the kids in the parks this weekend!

Check out these activities for Friday, October 21, through Sunday, October 23.

Get the kids into their costumes then head to Parks Spooktacular at South Germantown Recreational Park Adventure Playground on Sunday, October 23, 10 am to 1 pm, for free Halloween activities and entertainment.

Go Fishing with the Li’l Ones at Black Hill Regional Park on Friday, October 21, at 10 am. Best for ages three to six. All equipment and bait supplied. Register, please.

Children ages eight and older can learn fire starting techniques at Campfire 101 on Saturday, October 22, 10 am, at Brookside Nature Center. Bring a snack to roast or toast. Sign up required.

Step into the past with a free guided tour of Oakley Cabin at Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park on Saturday, October 22, 12 pm to 4 pm. Learn about the historic home and its residents from the mid-nineteenth through twentieth century.

Trek on the guided Woodlawn Manor Underground Railroad Hike on Saturday, October 22, 10 am, and learn about the journey north of freedom seekers. Find out about their techniques used for navigating, eluding detection, and finding food and shelter. Register in advance or get tickets onsite. Best for ages seven and older.

Finally, give back and volunteer in the parks this weekend. Take part in a Weed Warrior project or find out about other volunteer opportunities.

For these and other activities, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website.
Parks Picks: Things to Do July 8 to 10, 2022

July is Park and Recreation month, so why not celebrate with Montgomery Parks! This weekend, we have several fun events for all ages. These are some activities happening around Montgomery Parks Friday, July 8, to Sunday, July 10!

Skating

Ride on over to our final Skate Night on Friday, July 8, at Olney Manor Recreational Park! This Skate Night is open to everyone, but Friday will be a celebration of women on wheels and will feature popular local skaters performing trick demos. As always, there will be a live disc jockey, food trucks, and giveaways!

Education

Learn about the history of Black florists in our region and how these horticulturists have influenced gardening history! Abra Lee, founder of Conquer the Soil, will instruct this virtual event hosted by Brookside Gardens on Saturday, July 9, at 10 am.

Come out to Oakley Cabin to take a guided tour and learn about the African American roadside community that lived and worked on the site from emancipation well into the twentieth century. Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park is open the second and fourth Saturdays from 12 pm to 4 pm.

Volunteering

Help Clean Up Long Branch-Arliss Neighborhood Park! Trash and litter found in Montgomery Parks can find their way to the Potomac, Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean, if not removed. Your clean up help goes a long way in protecting our county’s natural habitats. Visit our website to register. All cleanups are pre-approved for Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.

Guided Hikes

Hike along the Underground Railroad Trail at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park and discover techniques used for navigation, eluding detection, and finding food/shelter on the perilous journey many had to take. The hike is Saturday, July 9, from 9:30 am to 11 am. Or, experience the trail in the evening from 6:30 pm to 8 pm with our Twilight Trek, designed to help you discover the techniques used to navigate the area at night.

Play Time

Build forts in the woods, climb trees, and learn about the woodland critters in our parks at Wild Forest Time. Register today and bring the little ones to have fun outside! We will supply some materials and a space to create and explore from 1 to 3 pm on Sunday, July 10, at the Black Hill Visitor Center.

For these and other programs and events, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Things to Do in Parks July 1 to 4, 2022

Family and friends visiting for Independence Day weekend? Get them moving and into nature! These are some activities happening around Montgomery Parks Friday, July 1, to Monday, July 4!

Boats

Go paddling! Black Hill Boats is open Thursday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, and Lake Needwood Boats is open Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm.

Waterplay

Let the kids enjoy water play, or challenge everyone to a game of miniature golf. South Germantown SplashPark and MiniGolf is open this Thursday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, but closed Monday.

Miniature Trains

Take a spin on a carousel or a trip on a miniature train. Wheaton Train and Carousel is open Thursday and Friday, 12 pm to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm. Cabin John Train is open Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm. Purchase tickets at train station.

Tennis

Cool down during indoors ice skating or a tennis match. Visit our website for public skating schedules at Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena Book a court for a match at Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center or Wheaton Indoor Tennis . All indoor ice and tennis facilities are closed Monday, July 4.

Squirrels

Discover Maryland’s small nocturnal squirrels at Brookside Nature Center during the Flying Squirrels program on Friday, July 1, 9 pm, and Ardillas Voladoras on Saturday, July 2, 9 pm. Ardillas Voladoras program is in Spanish. Register, please.

History

Trek into history on the Underground Railroad Trail Guided Hike at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park on Saturday, July 2, 9:30 pm. Find out about those journeying north to freedom and learn ways those individuals navigated, eluded detection, and found shelter and food. Registration required.

Reading

Let your child read a story aloud to one of the resident animal ambassadors at Locust Grove Nature Center during Read to a Critter on Saturday, July 2, 4 pm to 6 pm. Sign up for a thirty minute time slot.

Fireworks

There will be two fireworks shows in the parks, sponsored by Montgomery County government. We have more information on our website about Mid-County Sparkles on Saturday, July 2, 9:15 pm, and Germantown Glory on Monday, July 4, 9:15 pm.

For these and other programs and events, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Things to Do in Parks June 16 to 19, 2022

This week, continue your Pride Month festivities, relax in the summer weather, and celebrate Heritage Days with Montgomery Parks! Check out these activities Friday, June 24, to Sunday, June 26!

Yoga

Stretch it out and relax with yoga classes! On Saturday, June 25, from 9:30 to 10:30 am, join us at Brookside Gardens or the free yoga session at Josiah Henson Museum and Park at 9 am.

Relaxation

Ease your mind at our Half-Day Mindfulness Retreat at Brookside Gardens on Sunday, June 26, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Take a journey of relaxation with gentle yoga and meditation techniques. Connect with your inner self and the nature around you as you experience the beauty of the gardens.

Pride Month

Celebrate with us at Pride in the Park: Movie Night! Enjoy a screening of the movie “Saturday Church”, a story of a teen having gender identity issues. This showing is at Jesup Blair Local Park and starts at 7 pm on Friday, June 24. Admission to this event is free!

Nature

Get outdoors and come learn about Eastern box turtles at Turtle Talk at Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton on Saturday, June 25, 10 am. Admission is free, but you must register.

Also, Brookside Gardens on Saturday, June 25, 10 am, presents a virtual talk from Dr. Desiree Narango on the ecological and evolutionary relationships between plants, pollinators, and songbirds. Admission to this event is free.

Skateboarding

Shred it at Skate Night this Friday, June 24, at Takoma-Piney Branch Local Park from 6 to 8 pm. Bring your skateboards, scooters, inline skates, and roller skates and ride with popular local skaters. There will a disc jockey and a food truck onsite. Admission to this event is free!

Heritage Days

Montgomery Parks is excited to be a part of Heritage Montgomery’s 2022 Heritage Days on Saturday, June 25, and Sunday, June 26! Our historic sites will be open with free admission on the following days:

Saturday, June 25

Head over to Woodlawn Museum, Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, from 10 am to 4 pm for free admission. Visit Oakley Cabin, Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park, from 12 pm to 4 pm for free admission. Check out the Seneca Store from 12 pm to 4 pm for free admission.

Sunday, June 26

Visit Woodlawn Museum, Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, from 12 pm to 4 pm for free admission and stop by Josiah Henson Museum and Park from 10 am to 4 pm for free admission.

For these and other events, visit the calendar of events on our website.

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Things to Do June 17 to 19, 2022

This week, celebrate Juneteenth, Father’s Day, AND Pride Month with Montgomery Parks! Check out these activities Friday, June 17, to Sunday, June 19!

Music

Introduce your children to the trumpet, trombone, and French horn at the Parks Playhouse Junior FREE concert on Friday, June 17, 10 a. The New Orchestra of Washington’s brass section performs at Wheaton Local Park, 11729 Georgia Avenue, in Silver Spring.

Skateboarding

Skaters, bring your skateboards, scooters, inline skaters, and roller skates, and enjoy our Skate Night on Friday, June 17, 6 pm to 8 pm, at Woodside Urban Park, 8800 Georgia Avenue, in Silver Spring. Disc jockey, food truck, and popular local skaters. Free admission!

Pride Month

(Update: Saturday, June 18, 8:03 am – Drag Queen Story Hour is canceled, due to unforeseen circumstances.)

Celebrate Pride Month with the kids at Drag Queen Story Hour with Citrine at Brookside Gardens on Friday, June 18, at 10 am. Free! Cosponsored by WAM and FAM and Drag Queen Story Hour of Montgomery County, Maryland.

Juneteenth

Josiah Henson Museum and Park and Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park mark Juneteenth this weekend.

Josiah Henson turns 233 this month. So, Josiah Henson Museum celebrates with a FREE birthday party for him on Saturday, June 18, 10 am 4 pm. Enjoy activities, refreshments, and free museum admission.

Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park marks Harriet Tubman’s bicentennial birthday with the “Before She Was Harriet” StoryWalk®. Stroll with your children and read the book together. Then, stop by the visitor center to pick up a take-home activity on Saturday, June 18, 10 am to 4 pm, and Sunday, June 19, 12 pm to 4 pm. All FREE!

Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park also offers the Underground Railroad Trail Guided Hike on Saturday, June 18, at 10 am. Register online or stop by the visitor center for tickets the day of the program.

Father’s Day

Treat Dad to ice skating, kayaking, or crafts for Father’s Day!

Montgomery Parks’ indoor ice centers offer Father’s Day Skate on Sunday, June 19. Dads skate free with one paid admission. Father’s Day Skate is at Cabin John Ice Rink from 12:30 pm to 2 pm and at Wheaton Ice Arena from 1:30 pm to 3 pm.

Get Dad into nature and watch wildlife while on a Lake Tour by Kayak on Sunday, June 19, 9 am, at Black Hill Regional Park. Must have kayaking experience. Open for ages twelve and older. Registration required.

Get artsy with Dad and Create Your Own Stepping Stone to add to your yard and garden or place on a wall. The program is Sunday, June 19, 3 pm to 5:30 pm, at Locust Grove Nature Center. Register each person who will make a craft.

Looking for other Father’s Day activities? Visit “Things to Do” on our website.

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Parks' Picks: Things to Do June 9 to 12, 2022

Outdoor comedy show, puppet theater, skateboarding, and more! We have events this week for teens, children, families, and adults. These are this week’s Parks’ Picks!

Comedy

Montgomery Parks teams up with Improbable Comedy to celebrate Pride Month with Pride in the Park: An LGBTQ Comedy Show on Thursday, June 9. Seating begins at 6 pm and show at 7 pm. Free admission! Recommended for individuals seventeen and older. Food and beer vendors onsite. Bring chairs and blankets. This program is part of our Parks Playhouse summer performance series.

Skateboarding

Grab your boards and helmets and head to Olney Manor Skate Park for Skate Night on Friday, June 10, from 6 pm to 8 pm. This open skate event also features local skaters Shreddie Mercury and Deja Brown. Free admission! Disc jockey, food trucks, and giveaways!

Nature

Locust Grove Nature Center invites you to welcome summer during its Full Moon Friday on June 10 at 6:30 pm. Enjoy the magic of the full moon with a hike and campfire. Bring your own hot dogs or food to warm over the flames. Staff provide marshmallows. Register, please.

You’ve probably seen an Eastern box turtle in our parks. Learn more about the reptile during Brookside Nature Center’s Turtle Talk on Saturday, June 11, at 10:30 am. FREE, but please register.

Puppets

Everyone loves a puppet show! Cabin John Regional Park Amphitheater will have not one—but TWO—FREE puppet performances on Saturday, June 11! The Puppet Co. presents “Rapunzel” at 10 am. And, Alex and Olmstead perform “Milo the Magnificent” at 3 pm. Bring chairs and blankets

Wellness

Self-care is important for persons of all ages. Adults can stretch and destress during Yoga at Brookside Gardens on Saturday, June 11, at 9:30 am. Registration required. Adults with children two to six can unwind during Black Hill Visitor Center’s Outdoor Kids Yoga on Sunday, June 12, at 9 am.

History

Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park marks Juneteenth with “Before She Was Harriet” StoryWalk™, a partnership with Noyes Children’s Library Foundation. Stroll with your children and read the story about young Harriet Tubman to mark her bicentennial. The StoryWalk™ is open free to the public Saturday, June 11, to Sunday, July 3, from sunrise to sunset.

And, we have many seasonal activities to enjoy around parks, like our miniature trains and carousel, boats, splash park and miniature golf! You also can go ice skating or play tennis at our indoor facilities now and year-round!

Check out the calendar of events or “Activities” on our website for details.

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Things to Do June 2 to 5, 2022

Dancing, biking, reading, and more! Discover these seven events around Montgomery Parks Thursday, June 2, to Sunday, June 5!

Dancing

(UPDATE: June 2, 11:55 am – Salsa in the Park is cancelled, due to storms in the forecast.) Learn to dance salsa then show your moves with live music during Salsa in the Park on Thursday, June 2, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Takoma-Piney Branch Local Park at 2 Darwin Avenue, Takoma Park. Games and food vendors. Free admission!

Hiking

Trek the Underground Railroad Experience Trail on a guided hike at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park on Saturday, June 4, at 10 am. Find out about freedom seekers and techniques used on their journeys north to navigate, elude detection, and find food and shelter. Register, please.

Biking

Celebrate Trails Day on Saturday, June 4, 10 am to 1 pm, during Roots to Rocks at Columbia Local Park. Parents, bring the kids to experience our new Upper Paint Branch Trail system and go on a guided ride. Bring your own bike or use one of ours. Free! No registration.

Reading

During Read to a Critter at Locust Grove Nature Center, we’ll read a nature story together then go into the field to explore natural phenomenon like real scientists. The program on Saturday, June 4, 4 pm to 6 pm, finishes with a fun experiment that gets everyone’s hands messy. Register for one half-hour time slot.

Discovering

Spend your Saturday night with Ardillas Voladoras, on Saturday, June 4, 9 pm, at Brookside Nature Center. This Spanish-language program about Maryland’s southern flying squirrel introduces the nocturnal animal to participants and lets you observe the mammal eating its breakfast. Registration required.

What can you find in the meadow at Black Hill Visitor Center? Pick up a sheet with clues at the center then head outdoors on your own Meadow Hunt. The free program is Sunday, June 5. Register then drop by any time from 1:30 pm to 3 pm.

Enjoy the discovery of twenty-four tall metal flamingos as you stroll Brookside Gardens this week. The birds are part of the outdoor art installation “Flamboyance of Flamingos,” which celebrates our love for whimsical garden art. Open daily from sunrise to sunset.

For more information, visit the calendar of events or “Things to Do” on our website.

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Things to Do in Montgomery Parks May 26 to 31, 2022

Play in the parks this holiday weekend! Montgomery Parks has something for everyone. Check out these activities for Thursday, May 26, to Monday, May 31!

Season Opening

Paddle, splash, and putt! Three facilities open for the season on Saturday, May 28. Jump and run in the sprays then enjoy a game of miniature golf at South Germantown SplashPark and MiniGolf. It will be open Saturday, May 28, to Monday, May 31, 10 am to 6 pm. Enjoy time on the water in a canoe, kayak, rowboat, or pedal boat. Lake Needwood Boats at Rock Creek Regional Park and Black Hill Boat Rentals at Black Hill Regional Park are open Saturday, May 28, to Monday, May 31, 10 am to 6 pm.

Let’s Move

There are many ways to move around in our parks. You can move in our parks many other ways. Take a trip on our miniature trains or a carousel. Go running, walking, or biking on our car-free streets. Work on your golf swing. Come indoors and play a game at our tennis centers. They are open Saturday and Sunday but closed Monday.

Nature Connections

Connect with nature at one of our many programs. Make a Toad Abode on Thursday, May 26, 3 pm to 6 pm, at Locust Grove Nature Center. Watch the Flying Squirrels at Brookside Nature Center on Friday, May 27, 9 pm. Destress with sights and sounds of nature during Yoga at Brookside Gardens on Saturday, May 28, 9:30 am. Please register for all programs.

Backyard History

Explore Montgomery County’s past at our (many) historic sites. Join the Underground Railroad Experience Trail Guided Hike at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park on Saturday, May 28, at 10 am. Register, please. Finally, discover the story of Oakley Cabin and take a free guided tour on Saturday, May 28, 12 pm to 4 pm.

Remember, before leaving home, visit our website for facility holiday operating hours. And, check out RainoutLine for status of natural surface trails during and after rain.

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Things to Do May 19, to 22, 2022

Poetry, comedy, story time, and more! Here are six programs happening around the parks this weekend May 19 to 22.

Poetry

An Evening of Spoken Word elevates Black voices at Josiah Henson Museum and Park in North Bethesda on Thursday, May 19, at 7 pm. Featuring Donney Rose, Wordsmith, and Unique Robinson. Free. Parking is one block away at Wall Local Park.

Laughter

Montgomery Parks teams up with Improbable Comedy for The Mother of All Comedy Shows, the first of four comedy nights this spring and summer. The free event is Friday, May 20, 7 pm, at Waters House Special Park in Germantown. Hilarious line-up of women comics. Bring chairs and blankets.

Literature

Brookside Gardens invites families to Drag Queen Story Hour for an hour of songs and stories with Citrine on Saturday, May 21, at 10 am. The free program–cosponsored by WAM and FAM and Drag Queen Story Hour, Montgomery County, Maryland—is outdoors next to the Visitor Center.

Celebration

Join us as we cut the ribbon on the reopening of Edith Throckmorton Neighborhood Park in Kensington on Saturday, May 21, at 11 am. Free.

Golf

South Germantown Driving Range’s Junior Golf Clinic helps young golfers focus on one golf skill or swing at a time. Improve your young golfers game and register for this clinic on Saturday, May 21, at 1 pm.

Skating

It will be hot and humid this weekend. So, cool down indoors at our ice centers during a public skating session. Sessions are held daily at both Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena. Check our website for schedules.

For these and other programs, visit the calendar of events and “Things to Do” on our website.

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Montgomery Parks: Things to Do May 12 to 15

Birds, beer, yoga, and playtime! We have six suggested activities in Parks’ Picks for this weekend Friday, May 13, to Sunday, May 15!

Beer Garden CANCELLED (Updated: Friday, May 13)

UPDATE: This event is cancelled, due to rain. Raise a glass to the weekend at The outdoor beer garden comes to Germantown Town Center Urban Park on Friday, May 13, 5 pm to 7 pm, with local craft beer, food, games, and live music. Free admission!

Yoga

Stretch and find your center at Yoga in the Park. The free program to mark Mental Health Awareness Month is Saturday, May 14, 9 am, at Josiah Henson Museum and Park. If there’s rain, the session moves indoors to the museum.

Celebration POSTPONED (Update: Friday, May 13)

UPDATE: This event is rescheduled to Saturday, May 21, at 11 am. Celebrate the with us on Saturday, May 14, at 11 am. Join us for the ribbon reopening of Edith Throckmorton Neighborhood Park cutting ceremony and light refreshments. The small park is packed with amenities, including two playgrounds, table tennis, natural seating area, and more! Free!

Playtime

Black Hill Nature Programs offers Play Day in the Park for families with children six months to three years of age on Friday, May 13, 11 am to 2 pm. Stop by the visitor center and pick up prompts to engage your little one with the nature play areas around the facility.

Birdwatching

Looking for a new hobby? Brookside Nature Center’s Beginning Birding for Every Body introduces you to birding with proper use of binoculars and field guides, as well as birdwatching techniques. The program on Saturday, May 14, 10 am, takes place on an accessible boardwalk.

UPDATE: This event is cancelled, due to rain. Help staff at Locust Grove Nature Center keep track of birds during Migratory Bird Watch for Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 14, at 4 pm. This free program is just for families and best for ages eight and older. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from one of our naturalists.

For these and other activities, visit the event calendar and Things to Do on our website.

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Things to Do Mother's Day Weekend May 5 to 8, 2022

Give Mom the gift of parks for Mother’s Day weekend (May 5 to 8, 2022)! These are our Parks’ Picks to show one of the most important people in your life just how much you care.

Dance

Treat Mom to a night of dance. Take her for a free salsa lesson then dance to live music at Salsa in the Park on Thursday, May 5, 5 pm to 8 pm, at North Four Corners Local Park in Silver Spring. Free admission!

Stretch

Mom may just want some quiet, relaxing time. So, pack mats and bring her to free yoga sessions: Sunset Yoga on Thursday, May 5, 6:30 pm, at Long Branch-Arliss Local Park, and Yoga in the Park on Saturday, May 7, 9 am, at Josiah Henson Museum and Park. Yoga in the Park will be inside the museum, due to rain.

Skate

Is Mom more of a winter person? Our indoor ice rinks have special Mother’s Day Skates on Sunday, May 8: Cabin John Ice Rink, 12:30 pm to 2 pm, and Wheaton Ice Arena, 3 pm to 5 pm. Moms skate free with one paid admission!

Wander

Moms interested in gardening will enjoy time at Brookside Gardens. Stroll and wonder at the azaleas and other springtime blooms. Give Mom double plant-time by also visiting our other botanical garden McCrillis Gardens!

Immerse

Does Mom love history? Then, spend a day at our historic sites! Start off Saturday, May 7, at Archaeology Day at Needwood Mansion where Mom can throw a spear, make a clay pot, try tinsmithing, and tour the nineteenth century house and archaeology lab. Archaeology Day is ON – rain or shine! Then, head to Woodlawn Museum to learn about agricultural life at Woodlawn Manor and the people who lived there in the 1800s. Wrap up your day of exploring the past at Josiah Henson Museum and be inspired by the life of Reverend Josiah Henson.

And, there are so many other activities happening around Montgomery Parks! For more, visit the event calendar or “Things to Do” on our website.

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Things to Do April 28 to May 1, 2022

Nature, music, chess, crafts, and more! Check out our suggestions for activities around parks April 28 to May 1 in this week’s Parks’ Picks!

Stretch

Start to decompress for the weekend at Sunset Yoga. Bring a mat or pick up one at this free program on Thursday, April 28, 6:30 pm, at Long Branch-Arliss Neighborhood Park.

Toast

Cheers! Buy a beer and raise a toast to Friday at The outdoor beer garden is at Fairview Road Urban Park on Friday, April 29, from 5 pm to 7:30 pm. Live music, food trucks, and craft beer vendors. Free admission!

Volunteer

Make room in our parks for native plants by helping remove invasive, nonnative ones. Volunteer for a Weed Warrior Workday this weekend. There are four opportunities: Friday, April 29, 9 am to 11 am, at Long Branch Stream Valley Park; Saturday, April 30, 9 am to 11 am, at Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park; Saturday, April 30, 10 am to 12 pm, at Little Falls Stream Valley Park, and Sunday, May 1, 1 pm to 3 pm, at Arctic Neighborhood Conservation Area.

Create

Adults, get crafty at Brookside Nature Center’s DIY Nature Project: Rustic Vine Basket on Saturday, April 30, at 10 am. Learn about invasive, nonnative plants while using some to weave your own unique creation.

Play

Explore nature with your toddlers during Play Day in the Park at Black Hill Visitor Center. This free program on Friday, April 29, 11 am to 2 pm, is for children ages six months to three years old.

Investigate

Older children and adults can become citizen scientists this weekend. All you need is your smartphone and an app to find and photograph local plants and animals. And, Locust Grove Nature Center staff will show you how to use them during Join the City Nature Challenge Friday, April 29, to Sunday, May 1, from 1 pm to 6 pm. Free.

Checkmate

Finally, kids in grades second to eighth can participate in friendly competition during Chess in the Park on Saturday, April 30, 10 am to 1 pm, at Fairview Road Urban Park. Children must know game rules and etiquette. This free program is a partnership with US Chess Center.

For these and other programs, visit the event calendar on our website.

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Things to Do in Montgomery Parks April 22 to 24, 2022

The parks are packed with activities for all ages this weekend! Check out these events happening Friday, April 22, through Sunday, April 24.

Acoustics and Ales

Start the weekend at Acoustics and Alesin Elm Street Urban Park in downtown Bethesda. Enjoy local craft beer, poutine, and pizza while listening to live music or playing games. Acoustics and Ales is Friday, April 22, from 5 pm to 7:30

Trains

Listen to the tooting whistle and clackety clack of wheels on the tracks as you search for characters during your ride on our Spring Eye Spy Trains. They run Saturday, April 23, and Sunday, April 24, from 11 am to 6 pm, at Cabin John Train and Wheaton Train and Carousel.

Shine Brighter Together

Before or after your train ride at Wheaton Regional Park on Saturday, April 23, visit the playground for Shine Brighter Together. This family event for Autism Acceptance Month is 11 am to 2 pm. There will be lots of hands-on, sensory-friendly activities, including mural painting. Free admission!

GreenFest

GreenFest, the largest annual environmental festival in Montgomery County, is happening on the other side of Wheaton Regional Park at Brookside Gardens on Saturday, April 23, 11 am to 5 pm. Learn ways to be kinder to the planet. Vendors, music, demonstrations, children’s activities (like tree climbing, yoga, and story time,) and more! FREE admission and FREE shuttle from Glenmont Metro 10:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Josiah Henson Museum and Park First Anniversary

Happy birthday to Josiah Henson Museum and Park! The facility celebrates its first anniversary with light refreshments and one-dollar admission on Saturday, April 23, 10 am to 4 pm. Visit and wish staff all the best on their first anniversary!

Beginning Birding for Everybody

Brookside Nature Center offers Beginning Birding for Everybody on Sunday, April 24, from 10 am to 11 am. Discover the joy of birding while learning the basics about binoculars, field guides, and birds along the center’s wildlife pond boardwalk. For ages twelve and older. This program is for individuals of all abilities.

Weed Warriors Workday

Finally, join the Weed Warrior Workday at Meadowood Local Park in Colesville on Sunday, April 24, 2 pm to 4 pm.

Learn to identify invasive plants, like wintercreeper and English ivy, then help remove them to keep our parks healthy for native plants. Volunteers must be sixteen and older to participate and must register.

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Things to Do in Montgomery Parks April 14 to 17, 2022

Moon, history, hikes, and more! Check out what’s happening around Montgomery Parks this weekend Friday, April 15, to Sunday, April 17.

Lunar Programs

Some people credit strange happenings to full moons. Well, there’s nothing odd about moons and learning about them. Maydale Nature Classroom offers (Almost) Full Moon Night Hike on Friday, April 15, 8 pm to 9 pm, to enjoy the celestial occurrence.

Spring Break for History

Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park offers guided hikes on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail Saturday, April 16, at 10 am. And, Woodlawn Museum is open Friday, April 15, and Saturday, April 16, 10 am to 4 pm. Discover the individuals who lived and worked at Woodlawn Manor and the rural agricultural area of Sandy Spring. Purchase museum tickets onsite. Register for hikes online or get tickets at the visitor center.

Something Awesome

Black Hill Visitor Center has Something Awesome Saturday, April 16, from 2 pm to 4 pm. Stop by the center to pick up your materials for the family self-guided activity, then let your adventure begin. What’s even more awesome is that this program is free!

Sense of Nature Hike

Head over to Brookside Nature Center for another self-guided hike for families or groups with children ages two to seven. During the Sense of Nature Hike on Saturday, April 16, at 2 pm, you see, smell, and listen to explore and learn about plants and animals that call Wheaton Regional Park home. Register for the Saturday, April 16, program and select your start time.

Native Plant Sale

Finally, just a reminder that Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs holds its online Native Plant Sale Friday, April 15, and Saturday, April 16. Shop early as plants go quickly. All proceeds benefit educational programs at Black Hill Visitor Center.

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Parks' Picks: Spring Break Activities in Montgomery Parks

Spring break for Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) students is April 11 to 18. If your family is staying in town, we have lots of activities to keep the kids engaged and entertained.

Trains

Bring your young engineers and scavenger hunt lovers to Spring Eye Spy Trains at Cabin John Train and Wheaton Train and Carousel. Look for characters along the tracks during your ride, and keep track of them on your Eye Spy Train card. Spring Eye Spy Trains roll every Saturday and Sunday, as well as April 11 to 18, 11 am to 6 pm.

History

Introduce your children to Montgomery County history. Stop by Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park and Josiah Henson Museum for Spring Break for History.

Visit Woodlawn Museum in Sandy Spring and learn together about the people who lived and worked at Woodlawn Manor. The museum will be open Thursday, April 14; Friday, April 15; Saturday, April 16 from 10 am to 4 pm. Plan your visit and register ahead for the guided hikes offered on Friday, April 15, and Saturday, April 16, at 10 am. Buy tickets at the visitor center.

Josiah Henson Museum in Bethesda offers interactive history experiences Wednesday, April 13, 10 am to 1 pm; Thursday, April 14, and Friday, April 15, 10 am to 4 pm. Free with museum admission.

Discover the influence of African music in the New and Old Worlds during Celebrating African Rhythms through Dance and Song on Saturday, April 9, 12 pm to 4 pm, at Oakley Cabin Museum and Park in Olney. The event is free. Before and after the program, take a free tour of the log house.

Nature

Get the kids outdoors and moving! Our nature centers and classroom have a variety of hikes and creative programs. Check out: Nature Hunt on Saturday, April 9, 1:30 to 3:30 pm, at Black Hill Visitor Center; Hike and Seek: iNaturalist Hike on Sunday, April 10, 2 pm to 5 pm, at Locust Grove Nature Center; Crafty Little Naturalist on Wednesday, April 13, 10:30 am to 11:30 am, at Brookside Nature Center; and (Almost) Full Moon Hike on Friday, April 15, 8 pm to 9 pm, at Maydale Nature Classroom.

Dancing

Teach the kids to salsa at our Salsa in the Park on Thursday, April 14, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Columbia Local Park in Burtonsville. Live music, salsa lessons, food, drinks, games, and more! Family-friendly event. Free admission, and no registration.

Skating

Take the kids to the rink and go ice skating! Wheaton Ice Arena and Cabin John Ice Rink have daily public ice-skating sessions. Visit our website for schedules.

Volunteer

Your middle and high schoolers can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours by volunteering for a park and stream cleanup during spring break. Cleanups are scheduled Monday, April 11, 10 am to 12 pm, at South Germantown Recreational Park in Boyds, and Thursday, April 14, 11 am to 1 pm, at Broadacres Local Park in Silver Spring.

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What's Happening around Montgomery Parks April 1 to 3, 2022

We’re not fooling when we say there’s a lot happening around Montgomery Parks this weekend. Run, walk, ride, camp, hike, and more! Check out these five activities for April 1 to 3, 2022.

Cherry Blossom Fun Run and Walk

Celebrate the season’s pink and white blossoms during the Cherry Blossom Fun Run and Walk on Saturday, April 1, 9 am to 11 am, at South Germantown Recreational Park. Jog or stroll the one-mile trail. Then, enjoy a craft and pick up a tree seedling to take home. Free event. No registration required. All ages. Dogs welcome.

Spring Eye Spy Trains

Take a ride on the Spring Eye Spy Trains and search for characters along the way. Keep track of them with your Eye Spy Train card. This moving scavenger hunt is fun for all ages. Spring Eye Spy Trains run this Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm, at Cabin John Train and Wheaton Train and Carousel. Buy tickets online or onsite.

Camping

Camping season officially begins April 1. Little Bennett Campground in Clarksburg offers tent and RV sites as well as cabins and yurts. Go hiking or biking at Little Bennett Regional Park, or stay at the campground and enjoy pedal karts, the jumping pillow, or special scheduled activities.

Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park

Woodlawn Museum also opens for the season this weekend. Discover the story of Woodlawn’s residents, Montgomery County’s agricultural history, enslaved and free black communities, the Quaker experience and the Underground Railroad. The museum is open Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, and Sunday, 12 pm to 4 pm. Stop by the visitor center for tickets.

While you’re visiting Woodlawn Museum, go on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail Guided Hike on Saturday, April 2, 10 am to 11:30 am. Learn about freedom seekers’ journey to freedom. Discover techniques used for navigation, eluding detection, and finding food/shelter on their perilous journey.

Earth Month

Finally, Earth Month begins this Friday! Shop for native plants, participate in the City Nature Challenge, find new ways to be kinder to the planet at GreenFest, and volunteer to pick up litter or remove invasive, nonnative plants.

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Take a Walk in the Park Day

March 30 is Take a Walk in the Park Day. But, every day is a good day to stroll, walk, or hike in the parks. So, here are six activities to help you step into parks.

Go on a guided hike through Wheaton Regional Park with a Brookside Nature Center staff member. The two-to-three-mile trek on Saturday, March 26, 9 am to 11 am, is for adults only.

Tree Art Hike

Turn textures and patterns of the forest into art on Black Hill Nature Programs’ Tree Art Hike on Saturday, March 26, 3 pm to 4:30 pm, at Black Hill Regional Park. Make bark rubbings, collages, and more during this event. This program provides accommodations to individuals with disabilities and is part of Montgomery Parks’ Nature for All campaign.

Maydale Storytime

Bring the kids for a tale and a nature walk during Maydale Nature Classroom’s Storytime at Maydale on Tuesday, March 29, 10 am to 11 am. Staff will read Good Winter, Hello Spring, then go outdoors for a scavenger hunt to look for signs of spring and make a craft to take home.

Kites Over Clarksburg

Stroll around Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park to watch the soaring Kites Over Clarksburg on Saturday, March 26, 11 am to 2 pm. Montgomery Parks is proud to cosponsor this free event with the Clarksburg Foundation. Bring your own kite or purchase one onsite.

Cherry Trees

Walk through our parks this weekend and enjoy cherry blooms. Some cherry trees are blooming at Brookside Gardens. Locate other cherry trees in our parks with our online tree finder. And, remember about the Cherry Blossom Fun Run and Walk at South Germantown Recreational Park on Saturday, April 2, 9 am to 11 am.

We hope you also take advantage of the Parks and Trail Directory and Heart Smart Trails resources on our website to help you find a location for Take a Walk in the Park Day.

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Celebrate Spring in Montgomery Parks

Nature has dropped hints the last several weeks that spring is not far away. Well, spring officially arrives this Sunday (March 20). Parks’ Picks has four weekend activities to celebrate the new season.

Botanical Gardens

Stroll the grounds at McCrillis Gardens and enjoy spring blooms and new leaves. The quiet, contemplative site is tucked away in Bethesda, and it’s the perfect spot to steal moments to do some photography, art, or reading. Take your camera or sketch pad to capture the color. Find a bench and read your favorite book in the dappled sunlight. McCrillis Gardens is open daily sunrise to sunset.

Hike

Sunny weather will lure you outdoors and onto the trails. The kids will enjoy Brookside Nature Center’s Scavenger Hike: Puzzles, Maps, and Clues on Saturday, March 19, and Sunday, March 20, from 2 to 4 pm. Use navigational skills and natural history knowledge to solve clues and find hidden treasures. Locust Grove Nature Center offers a more leisurely, meditative program for the family.

Park and Stream Cleanup

Start spring by volunteering to help keep our parks and streams clean and green! Montgomery Parks and Rock Creek Conservancy are teaming up for a cleanup at Aspen Hill Local Park on Sunday, March 20, 10 am to 1 pm. This program is approved for middle and high schoolers interested in Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.

Open Parkways

Finally, get moving this spring weekend on our car-free streets. Sligo Creek Parkway (University Boulevard to Forest Glen Road, Piney Branch Road to Old Carroll Avenue) and Beach Drive (Connecticut Avenue to Knowles Avenue) open Saturday at 9 am. Little Falls Parkway (Arlington Road to River Road) opens Saturday at 7 am. And, all sections remain open for recreation and exercise until Sunday at 6 pm.

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National Craft Month: March 2022

March is National Craft Month. We love being creative all the time! Here are five activities this spring to bring out the artist in everyone!

Crafty Little Naturalist

Children five and older will make and take home a nature creation at Brookside Nature Center’s Crafty Little Naturalist. The program meets every Wednesday at 10 am this spring.

Storytimes at Maydale

Big Night for Salamanders is the tale at the Storytime at Maydale on Tuesday, March 22, at 10 am. Participants listen to the story, hike and search for salamanders, then do a craft. Best for kids ages three to five.

Tree Art Hike

Trees are inspirational! During Tree Art Hike, you will walk and discover textures and patterns on trees. Then, you will make bark rubbings, collage, and other art. Tree Art Hike on Saturday, March 26, 3 pm, is part of Montgomery Parks’ Nature for All spring programs. Adaptations are made to accommodate individuals with disabilities.

DIY Nature Project Rustic Vine Basket

We don’t like nonnative invasive vines in our parks, but they are perfect material for building a conversation piece for your home. During DIY Nature Project Rustic Vine Basket, you will design a one-of-a-kind basket. The program takes place at Brookside Nature Center April 30 and May 21 at 10 am.

Make a Toad Abode

Your kids take on architectural design for amphibians at Locust Grove Nature Center’s Make a Toad Abode May 26 from 3 to 6 pm. Construct a house which provides both shelter for toads and whimsy for your backyard.

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Women's History Month

Montgomery Parks has outdoor interpretive panels throughout our parks sharing stories about the history of places and people. For Women’s History Month, we have four recommendations of parks to visit to learn about women in the past.

Jesup Blair Local Park

Jesup Blair Local Park features a panel about mothers and children in Silver Spring from 1861 to 1865. You learn about Elizabeth Blair Lee and her son, Blair Lee. The Lee’s plantation in Silver Spring had enslaved laborers. The signs also discusses lives of those unknown enslaved mothers and their children.

Little Bennett Regional Park

During the Civil War, Montgomery County women played vital roles. They volunteered to prepare meals, mend clothes, and nurse wounds. The interpretive panel at Zeigler House in Little Bennett Regional Park highlights historic photographs and first-person accounts.

Burnt Mills West Special Park

Rachel Carson is the founder of the modern environmental movement and lived in Silver Spring. You can discover more about her at the interpretive panel at Burnt Mills West Special Park near the head of the Rachel Carson-Greenway Trail.

Edith Throckmorton Neighborhood Park

Edith Throckmorton Neighborhood Park has a received a temporary panel honoring its namesake. Edith Throckmorton was an award-winning educator who taught for twenty-five years in public schools. She was the first African American to serve on the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations. Throckmorton was president of the Montgomery County Chapter of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for sixteen years. The permanent panel will go into place later this spring.

For more, visit History in the Parks and Parks and Trail Directory on our website.

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A Day in Northern Montgomery Parks - February 24, 2022

Work on your golf swing, go camping, play with your pooch or let your little ones play on a park playground in the northern part of Montgomery County. Here are our Parks’ Picks for fun ways to spend your time in the northern region of Montgomery Parks!

Acoustics and Ales

Update: This event has been canceled due to the weather forecast for Friday evening.

Enjoy local craft beer, food, and music during Acoustics and Ales at Arora Hills Local Park on Friday, February 25, from 5 to 7:30 pm. Adults and children are welcome. No registration is required.

South Germantown Driving Range

Work on your golf swing at South Germantown Driving Range. The driving range has heated tees, a putting green, and sand bunker for golfers to keep in shape year-round. Winter hours are Monday through Friday from 11 am to 5 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Little Bennett Campground

Make plans for a getaway close to home this spring, summer, and fall and reserve a campground, cabin, or yurt at Little Bennett Campground. While you’re camping, enjoy weekend activities at the campground and explore Little Bennett Regional Park. Guests also can visit nearby Black Hill Regional Park and South Germantown Recreational Park.

Playgrounds

Play, swing, and slide with your little one at our playgrounds. Black Hill Regional Park boasts two playgrounds. Or enjoy two themed playgrounds at Greenbriar Local Park. Playgrounds are open sunrise to sunset.

Dog Parks

Spend time with your pooch at our dog parks at Black Hill Regional Park, Olney Manor Recreational Park, or Ridge Road Recreational Park. Dog parks are open from sunrise to sunset. Patrons must follow dog park rules.

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Presidents Day Weekend Activities - February 17, 2022

Ready for a long, relaxing break? We have six activities to get you into parks for Presidents Day weekend.

Something Awesome

Black Hill Nature Programs has Something Awesome on Saturday, February 19. Drop by Black Hill Visitor Center from 1 pm to 2 pm to pick up materials for this self-led program with winter activities. Free program, but please register.

Black History Month

Another free program on Saturday, February 19, is Black History Month Family Day at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. Stop by the visitor center from 10 am to 1 pm to pick up your map for the Underground Railroad Experience Trail and take-home activities.

Ardillas Voladoras

Ardillas Voladoras is the Spanish-language Flying Squirrels program at Brookside Nature Center. Watch the nocturnal animals eat their breakfast on Saturday, February 19, from 6:15 to 6:45 pm, while learning about Maryland’s tiniest tree squirrel. Registration is required.

Car-Free Streets

Gather up the family and go for a stroll or bike ride on our car-free streets. Sligo Creek Parkway (University to Forest Glen, Piney Branch to Old Carroll) and Beach Drive (Connecticut to Knowles) open for recreation and exercise on Friday, February 18, at 9 am, and Little Falls Parkway (Arlington to Knowles) on Saturday, February 19, at 7 am.) And, the streets close Tuesday, February 22, at 7 am. Visit our website for more on our Open Parkways program.

Trails

Pack a lunch and go for a hike! We have 280 miles of natural and hard surface trails throughout the county for you to explore. Plan your trip by visiting “Trails” on our website.

Ice Skating

Lace up your skates and go ice skating at our indoor rinks! Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena have daily public skating sessions.

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Valentine's Day Activities - February 10, 2022

Make parks part of your Valentine’s Day! Here are six activities to share with the special people in your life!

Winter Beer Garden

Start your Valentine’s Day weekend at Acoustics and Ales The winter beer garden series begins Friday, February 11, 5 to 7:30 pm, at Germantown Town Center Urban Park with craft beer, nonalcoholic drinks, food, and live music. Free admission!

Loving Nature

Show the kids you love them while you show some love for nature. Locust Grove Nature Center presents two family-friendly programs this weekend: Theme Month: Heart in Nature, which runs daily, and Hike and Seek: I (Heart) Nature on Sunday, February 13.

Stroll and Ride

Take a stroll through the warm and bright conservatory at Brookside Gardens Enjoy plants from around the world and colorful displays. The conservatory is free and is open this Friday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.

It will be sunny, warm weather on Friday and Saturday for a bicycle ride on our car-free streets this weekend. Sections of Beach Drive (Connecticut to Knowles) and Sligo Creek Parkway (University to Forest Glen and Piney Branch to Old Carroll) are open Friday, 9 am, to Sunday, 4 pm, while Little Falls Parkway (Arlington to River) opens Saturday, 7 am, through Sunday, 4 pm.

Skate Away

Finally, enjoy time together during public skating at our indoor ice centers. Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena have daily public skating sessions.

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Black History Month - February 3, 2022

Celebrate Black History Month with virtual and in-person programs throughout the month of February. Explore Montgomery Parks’ historical sites, discover African American cooking traditions, and learn about prominent figures in Maryland Black History. Here are our Parks’ Picks for celebrating Black History Month!

Cooking with History

Join Montgomery Parks for a virtual discussion and celebration of traditional African American cooking on Saturday, February 12, from 1 to 2 pm. Panelists will discuss the lives of enslaved cooks, the impact of racial systems on foodways, and ongoing efforts to engage with African American culinary heritage. Appropriate for ages six and up. Free, but all participants must register in advance.

Black History Month Family Day

Bring the whole family for a self-guided exploration of Montgomery County’s Black history at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. Drop in at the visitor center to pick up take-home activities (for ages five to twelve) and trail maps to explore the Underground Railroad Experience Trail on your own. This is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and get exercise as a family. Free. No registration is required.

Meeting of the Minds

Celebrate the paralleled legacies and experience of our Maryland Black history titans–Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Reverend Josiah Henson–during this virtual conversation by first-person re-enactors about the life of these leaders on Saturday, February 26, from 11 am to 12:15 pm. The re-enactors will talk about their contributions while shedding light on where their paths have crossed throughout their lives. Following the discussion, there will be a question and answer session. Appropriate for ages six and older. Free event, but please register to get the program link.

Educational Resources

Learn more about Josiah Henson and his role in African American history with educational resources on the Josiah Henson Museum and Park website. Complement your visit to Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park with videos, online resources, and reading lists for all ages about the Underground Railroad and related topics.

History in the Parks

Visit HistoryInTheParks.org for more about Montgomery Parks’ historic sites, volunteer opportunities, and programs.

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National Skating Month - January 6, 2022

January is National Skating Month. Celebrate by attending an event at Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena. Here are our Parks’ Picks for ways to celebrate with Montgomery Parks!

Public Skating Sessions

Take a spin on the ice at our indoor ice rinks during the month of January. Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena offer public skating sessions, including adults only and families with young children.

Winter Ice Skating Exhibition

Celebrate winter with performances by our local figure skaters at Wheaton Ice Arena on Sunday, January 30 from 4:45 to 6:15 pm. Skaters of all ages will entertain with group and solo programs. Admission is free!

Celebrate Skating Days

Join us for public skating and crafts and games in our party rooms to celebrate our ice rinks at Cabin John Ice Rink on Wednesday, January 19, from 4:45 to 6:15 pm, and at Wheaton Ice Arena on Thursday, January 27, from 4:30 to 6 pm.

Rock the Red Day

Wear your Washington Capitals gear and skate for $8 per person (free skate rental included) during the public skating session at 4:30 pm on Thursday, January 13, at both Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena.

Pro Shop and Snack Bar Discounts

Take advantage of discounts at both ice rink pro shops, the Cabin John Café and Wheaton Ice Arena Snack Bar, during the month of January. Check out our calendar for a list of discounts and promotions.

See you at the ice rink!

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Groundhog Day - January 27, 2022

Groundhogs are preparing predictions for their special day on Tuesday, February 2. Will they call for more winter or an early spring? We think woodchucks across the nation will say we’re in for more frosty days. So, to prepare, we have these winter activities for you in this week’s Parks’ Picks.

Groundhog Day Celebration

Maydale Nature Classroom holds its Groundhog Day Celebration Sunday, January 30, at 3 pm with stories, activities, and crafts focused around the large rodent. The program is best for ages three to eight, and registration is required.

Celebrate Skating Day and Winter Ice Show

Wheaton Ice Arena has two cool programs this week. Bring the family to Celebrate Skating Day on Thursday, January 27, 4:30 to 6:15 pm, and enjoy public skating, crafts, and games. Get your tickets on ActiveMONTGOMERY. And, figure skaters strut their moves and skills during the Winter Ice Show on Sunday, January 30, 4:45 pm to 6:15 pm. Free admission.

Something Awesome

Looking for free family fun? Black Hill Nature Programs has Something Awesome on Sunday, January 30. Drop in at the Black Hill Visitor Center from 2 to 4 pm and pick up materials for you and the kids to enjoy winter outdoor activities at Black Hill Regional Park. This is a free, self-guided program.

Waterfowl Month

February is Waterfowl Month, and there are many birding opportunities around Black Hill Regional Park. Download this bird resource from Black Hill Nature Programs then visit and see how many of our feathered friends you can find.

For these and more programs, visit the Winter Guide on our website.

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MLK Day of Service Programs - January 13, 2022

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” Give back to your community for MLK Day of Service. These are our Parks’ Parks for volunteer programs honoring the holiday from January 15 to 22.

Park and Stream Cleanups

Help keep our parks green and clean by picking up litter during a park and stream cleanup. There are cleanups throughout our parks. Families and individuals can participate. Parents, let your teens know that all cleanups are approved for Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. Please register.

Plogging Challenge

Don’t have time to join one of our cleanups? Then, consider doing our Plogging Challenge, a partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and One Green Montgomery! You can pick up trash in our parks and on our trails during your own time January 15 to 22. Then, keep track of your litter collection with an app on your phone. Register to take the challenge.

Weed Warrior Workday

Volunteer for a Weed Warrior workday to pull, cut, and remove nonnative and invasive plants from our parks. All seven workdays are approved for SSL hours. Volunteers fourteen and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must register.

All volunteers must be fully vaccinated and must submit a Montgomery Parks COVID waiver.

Montgomery Parks..it’s all here!
What to Do This Weekend: January 21-23

Winter is in full swing, and there are plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors and have fun indoors. Here are our Parks’ Picks for weekend fun around Montgomery Parks from Friday, January 21, through Sunday, January 23!

Flying Squirrels

Maryland flying squirrels are abundant and active year-round, but they are rarely seen in the wild because the animals are nocturnal. Join a naturalist for a viewing program on the Brookside Nature Center deck at the squirrel feeding station thirty minutes after sunset (approximately 5:45 pm) on Friday, January 21. Registration is required.

Brookside Nature Center will also present this program in Spanish during the Ardillas Voladoras program on Saturday, January 22, from 5:45 to 6:15 pm.

Theme Month: Hidden Worlds

Come to Locust Grove Nature Center and discover the hidden worlds of winter. There will be special programming and exhibits throughout the month. Visit the park any time between sunrise and sunset for self-guided hikes and displays. Specialty naturalist-led programs require separate registration.

Treasure Hunting in Wheaton Regional Park
Geocaching is a fun way to get outside and explore. Hike Wheaton Regional Park with a naturalist to search for caches on Saturday, January 22, from 10 am to 12 pm. Bring your cell phone, water bottle, and trail snacks. For ages eight and older. All participants must register in advance.

Tennis

Reserve a court at Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center or Wheaton Indoor Tennis to work on your serve or challenge family or friends to a game of tennis this weekend! Reservations must be made using the Quick Reserve tool on
ActiveMONTGOMERY.

Ice Skating

Lace up your skates and take a spin during a public skating session at Cabin John Ice Rink or Wheaton Ice Arena.

Montgomery Parks…It’s All Here!

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Last Updated: December 2, 2022