Project Description
The renovation of Elm Street Urban Park focuses mainly on the northern section of the park and is part of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) surface route project. The trail will be routed through Elm Street Park to connect to the Purple Line trail, requiring reconfiguration of the park. The project proposes to include several amenities, including a new playground for 2-5-year-olds, a separate playground for 5–12-year-olds, and a multigenerational fitness area. Additional proposed improvements include accessibility upgrades, tree planting, stormwater management, caretaker seating, retaining walls, fencing, and site furnishings. New pavement and site furniture are proposed for the Elm Street pedestrian promenade located between 46th and 47th Streets.
The existing park walkway at the southern end of the park will be realigned to provide a convenient pedestrian route to the future Bethesda Market Park, which is proposed to include amenities such as a stage, shade structure, flexible lawn space, amphitheater, water feature, small and large dog park, table games, multigenerational active zone, and a variety of seating options. These park improvements fulfill the vision of the 2017 Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan and 2018 Bicycle Master Plan.
Montgomery Parks is leading the design of the renovated park, and MCDOT is designing the realigned trail and funding the construction of both the trail and park renovations. Please refer to the image above for the initial concept design.
Background
Elm Street Urban Park is located at 4600 Elm Street, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815 and is bounded by the Georgetown Branch Trail (north), 46th Street (west), Willow Lane (south) and 46th Street (east). The park measures approximately two acres and offers a green buffer and open space between Bethesda’s Central Business District and the Town of Chevy Chase. Elm Street Urban Park is within Town of Chevy Chase limits but maintained by Montgomery Parks.
The northern extent of the park includes two playground pads, a half basketball court, seating, and picnic areas. The pedestrian promenade is closed to vehicles and includes seating, picnic tables, and retaining walls. The southern extent of the park (south of the Elm Street promenade) includes seating areas, gazebos, walking paths, open lawn areas, and mature trees.
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Purple Line light-rail project requires the realignment of the CCT. Previous trail designs included a tunnel extending under Wisconsin Avenue and an alternative surface route through Elm Street Park. In October 2021, the Montgomery County Planning Board approved a Mandatory Referral application for each option, which also included concept plans for the park renovation. Funding for the tunnel option was delayed beyond the current funding cycle; consequently, MCDOT decided to proceed with the surface route option through and alongside Elm Street Park.
Status/Project Update
Community outreach resumed in fall 2024 with a virtual public meeting and an online survey. Montgomery Parks is now working to incorporate public feedback, as appropriate, into the site design and amenity selections. Please see below for more information and continue to check this project website for future updates.
Calendar and Meeting Notes
| Date/Time | Discussion/Meeting Notes |
|---|---|
| October 14, 2021 | Mandatory Referral MR2022002 and MR2020030 approved by Montgomery County Planning Board. |
| November 20, 2024 | Virtual Community Meeting View the recording |
| November 1 – December 7, 2024 | View the Open Town Hall online survey results |
| Summer 2025 | Design Complete |
| Summer 2026 | Park/Trail Construction Complete (by MCDOT) |