Hillwood Manor Playground Renovation

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Project Description

This project will renovate the existing playground and picnic area at Hillwood Manor Neighborhood Park for multi-purpose recreation and leisure uses while providing accessibility and stormwater management improvements.  The park is located at 1301 Elson Street in Takoma Park.  The existing playground equipment has aged beyond the point where replacement parts can be ordered.

Background

The existing playground will be removed and a new playground will be installed in its place. Local park playgrounds are typically 3,500 to 5,000 square feet in size and include playground equipment to meet the needs of children from ages 2-12 and seating for caregivers.  Typical types of equipment include swings, play structures, and smaller freestanding pieces.

After the playground renovation project had begun, staff had the opportunity to initiate a joint project with the City of Takoma Park to address stormwater runoff from 13^th Street in the vicinity of the playground.  A structural micro-bioretention area, approximately 13 feet wide by 120 feet long, is proposed along the length of the lowest area of the road.  This facility is intended to treat off-site runoff before it reaches the stream.  The new playground will be constructed behind this facility and separated from it with a fence.  The plan also includes stormwater management underneath the playground surfacing to treat the playground and new impervious surfaces associated with the playground.  One existing storm drain outfall pipe that runs underneath the playground from the road to the stream will also be replaced, due to its poor condition.

M-NCPPC acquired this playground on July 1, 1997, when the surrounding area, along with Hillwood Manor Neighborhood Park, was transferred to Montgomery County from Prince George’s County.  The playground sits within the two-acre park along Sligo Creek with direct access to the Sligo Creek Trail and other park amenities.  This project is a part of the Playground Renovation Program.  Renovations will provide new playground equipment and site upgrades, enhance accessibility, and improve stormwater management at the site.

Status/Project Update

• Parks held a virtual community on June 23, 2020, to present to the public the initial plans to renovate the playground. Residents were encouraged to review the plan and submit their comments in the Parks Open Town Hall.
• Staff developed playground design concepts based on feedback from community members. The playground design concepts, along with the proposed stormwater management improvements are available for review on the Open Town Hall Forum.  The community was encouraged to review the plan and submit their comments by May 31, 2021.
• Option #2 was determined to be the option that best met the desires expressed in the Open Town Hall comments. It provides more activities and a greater variety of activities for all ages than Option #1.  There was strong interest expressed in the Super Nova from Option #1, which was added to the final layout.  View the final layout and the playground renderings.
  • Final layout plan
  • Rendering 1
  • Rendering 2
  • Supernova

Calendar and Meeting Notes

Links to review meeting notes and presentations will be attached to each applicable calendar event as it is scheduled and completed.

* Date and time subject to change. Please contact the project manager for updates.

M-NCPPC Staff Contact

Evan Dintaman, Project Manager
Evan.Dintaman@montgomeryparks.org
301-495-2464

Brian Lewandowski, Project Manager for Stormwater Management Improvements
Brian.Lewandowski@montgomeryparks.org
(301) 495-2516