Project Description & Background
The goal of this project is to develop an approved Facility Plan for the long-term renovation of the park, including a detailed cost estimate and permits. The project will seek to identify opportunities to enhance the park as an amenity for the local community, providing a balance of natural resource-based recreation and active open space elements. Potential facilities for this new park could include play equipment, a youth-sized rectangular sports field, sitting and picnic areas, community open space, wooded areas, natural surface trails, courts, and parking. Ultimately, the implementation of proposed park improvements may occur through a phased approach, based on available funding.
Carroll Knolls Local Park is located at 10500 Georgia Avenue in Wheaton on the west side of Georgia Avenue (MD 97) between Wheaton’s Central Business District (CBD) and Forest Glen, just north of the intersection of Evans Drive and Douglas Avenue. Evans Parkway Neighborhood Park is located across MD 97 to the east. The park is located within the Plyers Mill Estates Neighborhood, just north of the Carroll Knolls and McKenney Hills Neighborhoods, which is comprised primarily of single-family homes. The 3.85-acre Carroll Knolls Park, the former site of the Montgomery College of Art and Design (MCAD), was acquired by Montgomery Parks in 2012 through the Department’s Legacy Open Space Program. Following the demolition of the MCAD building. The park was officially opened on April 26, 2014.
Existing park amenities include a 50-space parking lot, an open lawn area, a perimeter fence, plantings, and picnic tables. Half of the site is comprised of a forest with moderate invasive understory vegetation that limits visibility through the park. The forested area also acts as a low point, receiving surface stormwater runoff from two adjacent roadway dead-ends. Along the park’s perimeter, a narrow sidewalk parallels Georgia Avenue (MD 97) and connects to a sidewalk along Evans Drive. Vehicular access to the existing parking lot occurs from Evans Drive.
The Planning Board approved the recommended Facility Plan for Carroll Knolls Local Park on Thursday, May 14, 2020.
Status/Project Update
UPDATE: The Planning Board approved the Facility Plan on May 14, 2020. The Detailed Design phase is expected to be completed by spring 2025 (FY25).
Project Timeline
*Dates and times subject to change.
| Date | Project Stage and Resources |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Community Meeting #1 Solicit community input – Review the December 2017 meeting notes (accessible pdf) – View the December 2017 presentation (accessible pdf) |
| 2018 | Develop park renovation concept alternatives based on existing conditions assessment and community input. |
| 2018 | Community Meeting #2 Presented and received feedback on proposed park renovation concept plans. – View June 2018 PowerPoint Presentation (accessible pdf) – View June 2018 Meeting Notes/Comments (accessible pdf) |
| Summer/Fall 2018 | Develop a preferred concept plan based on community and staff feedback. |
| 2019 | Develop a recommended concept plan and coordinate/obtain preliminary permits with applicable agencies. |
| June 4, 2019 | Community Meeting #3 Presented and received feedback on the proposed recommended concept plan. – View Recommended Concept Plan (accessible pdf) – June 2019 Notes/Comments (accessible pdf) If you would like a copy of Community Meeting #3 Power Point Presentation, please complete the Historical Documents Form on this page. |
| July-Aug 2019 | Recommended Concept Plan |
| May 14, 2020 | Planning Board Meeting Facility Plan approved Planning Board Staff Report May 14, 2020 (pdf) – If you would like a copy of Planning Board Staff Report May 14, 2020, please complete the Historical Documents Form on this page. |
| December 2022 | Updated Detailed Design – Updated Park Renovation Plan (accessible pdf) – Plan Enlargement (accessible pdf) – Pump Track Design (accessible pdf) – Bike Skills Track Design (accessible pdf) |
| 2022-Summer 2025 | Detailed Design, Construction Documentation, Final Permitting, and Bidding phase |
| *Fall 2025 | Park expected to close for construction |
| *Fall 2026 | Expected construction completion |
| *Fall 2026 | Expected Park opening |