Project Description
This project will install athletic field lighting at Damascus Recreational Park to extend the permitted use of Fields 1 and 2 (baseball and softball fields) beyond sunset. Included in the project will be the installation of International Dark Sky-compliant lighting, ballfield turf upgrades, drainage upgrades, ADA and access upgrades, parking lot improvements, and other incidental improvements to the project area surrounding Fields 1 and 2. A State Bond Bill for $225,000 was awarded for this project and will provide partial funding for the improvements. The balance of the project cost will be funded through the Parks Capital Improvements Program (CIP).
Montgomery Parks is also exploring the feasibility of a future project to light the rectangular fields in the park to extend the permitted use of Fields 5-8. Plans and funding sources for this project are yet to be determined.
Background
Damascus Recreational Park sits on 284 acres and has multiple outdoor athletic fields and courts for general recreation opportunities. The developed portion of the recreational park is concentrated towards Kings Valley Road with multiple entrances to parking lots along the roadway. Eight athletic fields and four outdoor courts are spread across this athletic portion of the park in four distinctive areas with parking lots.
Status/Project Update
A hybrid community meeting took place on October 24, 2023, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the cafeteria of Hallie Wells Middle School located at 11701 Little Seneca Parkway, Clarksburg, MD. Parks staff presented information about the lighting and improvements at Fields 1 and 2. The meeting also offered the opportunity for the community to learn about and provide input regarding the feasibility considerations for lighting the rectangle fields. Montgomery Parks asked community members to provide feedback by filling out a survey, the comment period was open from October 24 to December 15, 2023.
Calendar and Meeting Notes
| Dates | Events/Activities | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| October 24, 2023 | Hybrid Community Meeting | View the meeting recording |
| October 24 – December 15, 2023 | Open Town Hall forum is available for people to provide ideas and feedback | N/A |
| Summer 2024 – Spring 2025 | Detailed design and permitting for Diamond Fields 1 & 2 | N/A |
| Summer 2025 | Anticipated construction | N/A |
| Spring 2026 | Anticipated project completion | N/A |
The scope of work includes lighting fields #1 and #2, renovating the infields, updating the parking lot, and adding ADA improvements. The project will be phased and most of the work will be taking place outside the playing surface.
Renovation anticipated to begin in spring 2025 and will be constructed in phases.
There will be limited field closures for this project. Currently there is a small window in August when the fields will be closed for the infield renovation. As other closures are required, the field will be closed as needed and the permitted user groups will be informed in advance.
During the public engagement phase of this project, Montgomery Parks heard that the loss of practice opportunities would present a hardship for many leagues because of the limited number of fields in the Damascus area. In response, Montgomery Parks developed an experimental pilot program to allow limited practice on these Regional/Recreational Park Standard fields.
The goal of the project is to improve field quality and increase permit capacity for these fields. The Pilot Program will allow for practice Monday through Wednesday and limit the fields to games only Thursday through Sunday. Permit holders at Fields 1&2 will be notified before the pilot program is implemented.
The pilot program parameters are as follows:
- Fields 1&2 will be available for both practice and games on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the Local Park Standard for maintenance and permit fees. The fields will be dragged at the Local Park Standard which is once per week.
- On Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the fields will be available for games only at the Regional/Recreational Park Standard for maintenance and permit fees. Fields will be dragged and lined daily and will be available for game use only at the higher permit rate.
The pilot program will start at the beginning of the permitting season after the field renovations are completed and the lights are operational. For example, if the project is completed in the Fall of 2025 as anticipated, the pilot program will begin on the first day of permitting in Spring 2026. Montgomery Parks will notify user groups in advance about the implementation. Please note that construction timelines can be unpredictable, and the project could be delayed from this anticipated schedule.
The pilot program will run for four years with an annual evaluation at the end of each calendar year. The evaluation will consider field conditions, maintenance and repairs required, customer experience, and the permit process. If the yearly evaluation determines the pilot program to be unsuccessful, Fields #1 and #2 would be permanently placed in the Regional/Recreational Standard all seven days of the week at that time.
Regional/Recreational Park fields receive a higher level of maintenance to include a daily dragging and lining of the infields, are available for game use only, and have a higher permitting fee than fields at the Local Park Standard, which is the current standard for Fields 1&2.
Please check the Permits & Rentals Fees page for more information.