Project Description
This project enhances the park with new amenities such as playground equipment, picnic shelters, soccer/tennis courts, fitness equipment, and a multipurpose lawn. The new playground is expected to measure approximately 3,500 to 5,000 square feet. Play equipment includes swings, play structures, and freestanding pieces tailored to 2-5 and 5-12 age groups. The project renovation also includes updated stormwater management, native tree planting, ADA accessibility upgrades, and site furnishings including benches, picnic tables, a charcoal grill, a drinking fountain, and bike racks. Please see the image above of the proposed site design and new amenities.
Background
Fox Chapel Neighborhood Park is located at 19129 Staleybridge Road, Germantown, MD. The most-used area of the park includes a parking lot, two tennis courts, an octagonal picnic shelter, and a playground with a rubber surface. Some park features, most notably the playground and picnic shelter, are not in an ADA-accessible location. The playground was previously renovated in 1999; the courts were resurfaced around 2010. Many of these existing park features will be removed or renovated and replaced with new amenities.
Status/Project Update
A virtual community informational meeting was held on June 2022 and an Open Town Hall survey was available for public comment for one month after the community meeting. Please see the meeting notes below for a summary of the community survey findings.
After receiving community feedback via the community meeting and public survey, the concept was refined accordingly. In fall 2022, the updated proposed site layout was made available for public viewing on the project website, in spring 2024 the 60% site design and proposed amenities were made available.
Playground and Fitness Design
The proposed playground is in an ADA-accessible location in the upper area of the park. This location is proximate to the other new amenities, including the fitness area, tennis court, soccer court, and upper picnic shelter. Relative to the existing playground, the new playground is larger, includes more equipment, and provides a more engaging play experience for children and caregivers. Playground colors are selected based on community feedback. The play equipment includes several transfer stations for comfortable access and a variety of accessible play features for children of all ages and abilities. The play equipment architecture provides clear lines of sight and matches the aesthetics of the fitness equipment. Seat walls, trees, benches and a communication board are included. The surfacing is engineered wood fiber.
A variety of dynamic and modern play pieces are provided, including four swings – a basket swing, two belt swings, and an accessible swing. The 2-5 structure offers several climbing, stepping and balancing activities, as well as a 4’ slide. Ages 2-12 can play on the freestanding circular rocker and two pole spinners – these pieces offer individual and parallel play opportunities for wobbling and spinning. The larger multi-tiered 5-12 structure includes two slides (4’ and 8’), a chain bridge, and floating discs, among other play elements. A series of half sphere play balls connect the structure to an 11’ high diamond-shaped net climber to safely challenge children’s balancing abilities and gross motor skills.
The fitness equipment offers various body-weight exercises – pull-ups, sit-ups, stretching and steppers, for example – for ages 13+. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced users can all use this equipment to help meet their individual fitness goals.
Please note that the background and foreground graphics shown in the renderings (trees, lawn, etc.) are for illustrative purposes only – they do not reflect the actual design of the surrounding park.
Calendar and Meeting Notes
| Project Date/Time | Project Discussion/Meeting Notes |
|---|---|
| Summer 2022 | Virtual Community Meeting #1 Community Input. |
| Fall 2022 | Post concepts for community review and comments. Rendered Annotated Plan – Upper Area Rendered Annotated Plan – Lower Area Proposed Playground Equipment Proposed Fitness Equipment |
| December 2022 | Summary of new park concept presented at the Fox Chapel Elementary School PTA meeting |
| 2023 | Begin final design and preliminary permits |
| 2024 | Advance final design: Please see the image above for the proposed site design and new amenities Obtain final permits |
| Summer 2025 | Finish construction. Renovated park reopens |
Dates and times subject to change. Please contact the project manager for updates.