Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park – Kennebec Playground Renovation & Park Improvements Project

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• Sligo Stream Valley Park Kennebec Playground Renovation Project

Division: Park Development

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Project Description

This project renovates a playground, parking lot, and hiker/biker trail at Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park (Kennebec) located at the intersection of Sligo Creek Parkway and Kennebec Avenue in Silver Spring.  The scope of the work includes replacing the playground, relocating the parking lot, improving accessibility, realigning the trail, and improving stormwater management.

Background

Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park includes Sligo Creek and the Sligo Creek Hiker/Biker Trail.  Many smaller parks and amenities line the creek and are included as part of the overall park.  This roughly 10.2-mile hard surface trail is one of the oldest in the County.  The acquisition of the stream valley park started in the 1930s and continued through the mid-1970s.  Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park at Kennebec includes a very heavily used wooden playground, a parking lot, the hiker/biker trail, and shaded open lawn areas.  The existing playground was installed in 1986 and is well past its lifecycle for replacement.

A new playground will be installed within the park.  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 to 12 and seating for caregivers.  Typical types of equipment include swings, play structures, and smaller freestanding pieces.

Status/Project Update

*Update March 2023: The playground is currently under construction. The anticipated completion for construction is before March 31st, 2023, although this is subject to change based on weather.

A virtual community meeting was held on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, to discuss the project and gather input from the community. Community members had an opportunity to provide input on the project by completing the survey on the Parks Open Town Hall forum. The survey closed on December 31, 2020.

Staff developed a playground design concept based on feedback from community members. The playground design concept, the realignment of the trail, and the relocation of the parking lot were posted on the Parks Open Town Hall Forum. The community was encouraged to review the concept and submit their comments by October 15, 2021.

As a result of the community feedback, the concept was revised to incorporate a unique and different experience, including a new zip line. This double-track zip line is the first of its kind in this part of the county and it is accessible to all users. The structures were flipped and reconfigured to accommodate this amenity. Although the renderings do not show them, there will be at least six benches throughout the playground and a few picnic tables scattered amongst the trees. None of the large trees will be removed in the construction of the proposed facilities. More trees will be planted after the construction is completed.

Additional work to improve access to the Stream Valley Area as part of the Vision Zero initiative is scheduled for Spring 2021. Work will improve the nearby road intersection and crosswalk to the playground, to improve accessibility and provide a better line of sight.

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 and times are subject to change. Please contact the project manager for updates.

M-NCPPC Staff Contacts

Evan Dintaman, Project Manager for Playground Project
Evan.Dintaman@MontgomeryParks.org
(301) 495-2464

Michael Zelaski, Project Engineer
Michael.Zelaski@montgomeryparks.org
(301) 495-2488