Norwood Local Park Dog Park Plan

Division: Park Development Division

Property, Ecoregion, Natural environment, Organism, Land lot, Map, Vegetation, Font, Urban design, Biome

Green, Botany, Organism, Land lot, Urban design, Vegetation, Terrestrial plant, Grass, Biome

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Project Description

The purpose of this project is to explore the feasibility and concept planning for a dog park within Norwood Local Park. The proposed dog park will provide a dedicated, fenced area for dog exercise with separate small and large dog areas. And may include amenities such as a shade structure, seating, and water source for dogs and maintenance.

As identified in the 2017 Park Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan and the 2011 Vision Montgomery 2030 Strategic Plan, dog parks are one of the most needed facilities in Montgomery County’s park system, particularly in areas of high density. A Site Suitability Study for Dog Parks was approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board in June 2019, and Norwood Local Park was chosen as the first dog park in Bethesda to address area needs.

Background

Norwood Local Park is a 17-acre park located at 4700 Norwood Dr, Bethesda, MD. It is a thriving community park with intense usage that serves the growing urban areas of Bethesda and Chevy Chase. The Little Falls Trail borders the south side of the park, and park paths connect to the larger trail system to the west through Little Falls Stream Valley Park.

The bucolic nature of the park reflects its historic significance: Norwood Local Park was the site of the federal government’s agricultural experimental farm during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In the late 1930s, the land was transferred to the M-NCPPC for use as parkland.

One of the challenges for the park is to balance the demand for new facilities while protecting the extensive open space in the park. Existing amenities include community activity buildings, active recreation fields, open lawn areas, a basketball court, two playgrounds, an open-air grass stage and amphitheater, and tennis courts.

Status/Project Update

Montgomery Parks staff will present the proposed dog park facility plan to the Planning Board on May 6, 2021. Visit the Planning Board Agenda webpage at the end of April for the time of this item.
The M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks hosted a community meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, to gather public input about the Norwood Dog Park project planning process.
Community members were invited to provide input by visiting Parks Open Town Hall. The deadline to submit comments was extended to January 14, 2021.
Community meeting Q&A transcripts posted into calendar meeting notes.

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.

DATES	EVENTS	LOCATIONS
Fall 2020	– Project initiation – Survey and preliminary assessment of site conditions

November 10, 2020 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.	-Virtual Community Meeting View postcard View the recording of the virtual meeting View the meeting Q&A comment transcript View the meeting comment responses from Parks staff	Montgomery Parks will be using Microsoft TEAMS to host the meeting. Watch the community meeting live online. Listen live via phone by calling: 443-961-1463 (Code: 436 630 638#)
November 10, 2020, through January 14, 2021	-Community members are invited to provide input by visiting Open Town Hall.

Winter 2021	-Parks staff reviews community feedback and prepares recommendation on how to proceed with dog park proposal
May 6, 2021	-Presentation to Montgomery County Planning Board for a final decision on the dog park proposal View Staff Memo and Recommendation View recording of the virtual meeting
Spring-Summer 2021	-Parks staff reviewed public testimony and Planning Board feedback and is moving forward with plans for the dog park at Norwood Local Park.

Fall 2021-Spring 2022	Detailed Design and Permitting
Spring 2022	Project is on HOLD indefinitely as alternative sites are being considered by Montgomery Parks.
Late Summer 2022	Construction Begins

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

M-NCPPC Staff Contact

Christie Ciabotti, Project Manager

Christie.Ciabotti@MontgomeryParks.org
(301) 650-4365

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FAQs About the Dog Park Project?

Why was Norwood chosen and when did the site proposal receive favorable input from the public?

Data from the 2019 Site Suitability Study for Dog Parks identified Norwood Local Park as a recommended location for a dog park in Bethesda due to its walkability for residents in downtown Bethesda and proximity to the Bethesda Central Business District. It also has few physical constraints for development and allows for adequate space to buffer the dog park from residences. Montgomery Parks obtained public input through the Open Town Hall forum on preferred sites in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Service Area. Norwood Park was one of the top sites chosen by community members for a dog park in this area. In addition, Parks staff have observed dogs both on and off-leash at Norwood at all hours of the day. This project would allow for dogs to play safely off-leash, help reduce conflicts between different users, and promote social interaction.
Will the dog park project address the parking issues at Norwood? Will the dog park project increase parking capacity at Norwood Local Park?

The project will increase parking capacity in the lower parking lot. In addition to more parking spaces, parking lot improvements will include two new accessible parking spaces and stormwater management for the lower parking lot.
Will this project impact the existing open space, recreational fields, or sports courts?

Norwood Local Park has approximately 17.5 acres of unprogrammed open space. The project will preserve unprogrammed space for the various activities that take place in the park. The dog park proposal, as presented, will not use any of the existing recreational fields, courts, or the large area of unprogrammed open space near the lower parking lot. In addition, the open space throughout the center of the park under groves of large trees will be retained. All existing sports fields will continue to be available for activities.
What is the size of the proposed dog park in Norwood Local Park compared to other dog parks Montgomery Parks maintains?
Approximate sizes are listed below:
- Norwood Local Park – (proposed) 18,000 square feet
- Ellsworth Urban Park – 20,000 square feet
- Dewey Local Park – 22,000 square feet
- Wheaton Regional Park – 25,000 square feet
- Cabin John Regional Park – 50,000 square feet
- Olney Manor Recreational Park – 42,000 square feet
- Black Hill Regional Park – 22,000 square feet
- Ridge Road Recreational Park – 22,000 square feet
What hours would the dog park be open?

The park hours for Norwood Local Park are from sunrise to sunset and would not change.
Is it possible to have designated off-leash times in the park rather than a fenced dog area?

Off-leash dog activity is currently prohibited by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Park Rules and Regulations for both Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. This project would create fenced areas for off-leash dog exercise and play similar to the size and type of facilities we provide in other dog parks. In addition, a designated dog park designed to withstand heavy use by dogs helps protect other areas of the park from damage.
Will the dog park be accessible to people with disabilities?

Yes. The paved route to the proposed dog park from the parking area will be constructed to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines, and two accessible parking space will be added. Pathways within the dog park will also be accessible.
How much will the dog park cost?

The estimated cost of this project is $500,000, which is comparable to the cost of recently constructed dog park projects. The funding comes from Montgomery Parks’ capital budget through our Urban Park Elements program, which provides funding each year for new dog parks, skate parks, and community gardens. Dog park amenities require careful planning and have specific construction requirements for sustainable maintenance.
What is the decision-making process?

Montgomery Parks gathered community input in in 2019 and 2020 through Open Town Hall. Upon review of the survey results, comments from the community meeting on November 10, and individual correspondence, Parks staff and leadership will made a recommendation to proceed with the concept dog park proposal. The project was presented to the Planning Board in Spring of 2021 for a final decision. The Planning Board voted unanimously to proceed with the proposed location and concept plan for the dog park.
What is the timeline for design and construction?

The dog park project is moving forward as planned. Montgomery Parks is currently working on detailed design and expects construction to begin in late summer/ early fall of 2022.
How can I get more information about the project?

Visit the project web site for project information and updates:

https://mcp-events.org/norwooddogpark

Montgomery Parks will also send project updates via email to anyone who has contacted us regarding the dog park project. You may also contact the project manager with questions and comments:
Christie Ciabotti, Project Manager
Christie.Ciabotti@montgomeryparks.org
301-650-4365

Last Updated: May 3, 2022