Background
During public outreach for the Wheaton Regional Park (WRP) Master Plan, the community identified a skate park as one of the most desired amenities not currently available in the park. This response aligns with a growing regional demand for skateboarding and adventure biking. As a result, the hallmark recommendation of the Master Plan is an Action Sports Park in Wheaton Regional Park.
Montgomery Parks also recently conducted a Countywide Skate Park Survey to gauge the needs and interests of skaters and riding/rolling enthusiasts. This countywide community input informs skating priorities and establishes a strategy for new skate parks.
The community feedback received during the Master Plan and Skate Park Survey serves as the foundation for the Action Sports Park project.
Project Description
The goal of the Action Sports Park is to provide a safe, accessible, and engaging sports experience alongside spaces for social connection and environmental improvements. The new park is intended to serve users of all ages and all skill levels.
Potential amenities may include:
- a skate park
- pump track
- bike skills track
- bouldering and extreme fitness such as parkour or obstacle course
- children’s adventure play area (playground)
- kid’s wheeled play area
- supporting amenities such as viewing and seating/social areas, event lawn and open space, tree planting, stormwater management, water misting station, shade structures, and ADA improvements.
Existing Conditions
The approximately eight-acre project site is bounded by Field 3 to the north, the park entry road to the east, private residences and wooded areas to the south, and forest to the west. Refer to the Rubini Athletic Complex map for more information.
The construction of the athletic fields in the 1960s/70s cleared forest, regraded the site, and encroached upon a stream valley buffer. Steep slopes surround the project site, which currently has limited accessibility and lacks modern stormwater management infrastructure. The entry drive and parking lots do not provide protected separation for pedestrians and bicycles. This area experiences lower levels of activity during some weekday daytime hours.
Other amenities in the Rubini Athletic Complex include the tennis bubble, ice rink, courts, Fields 1-3, sports pavilion, trails and dog park. The Action Sports Park will not alter these facilities and public access to them will continue throughout construction.
Status/Project Update
Montgomery Parks is currently updating the park concept and advancing the design to a greater level of detail. We look forward to additional community outreach over the coming months! Please continue to check this website for future updates.
Current Design
During the 2024 outreach, the community expressed strong support for the project and its proposed amenities. The Parks team improved the design by incorporating community feedback into the current design. This includes:
- Identifying locations for future shade structures throughout the site, including along the edges and interior of the park
- Locating the restroom in the lower portion of the site for convenient public access.
- Improving bicycle and pedestrian connections to Nairn Trail, Orebaugh Avenue, and nearby parking areas.
- Incorporating traffic-calming measures along Orebaugh Avenue and the park entry road in coordination with adjacent projects.
- Protecting the existing forest edge, planting new trees, and integrating sustainable stormwater management practices.
- Creating large natural grass areas that support community events and free play.
- Separating spaces for beginners and kids from the most intense amenities.
The east side of the updated concept includes a renovated entry drive, a shared-use path, a sidewalk connection to Orebaugh Avenue, and parking. These improvements connect the Action Sports Park to the rest of the Rubini Area. A proposed loop turnaround can be used for visitor drop-off and food trucks. Spectator areas provide views into the action area and connect to walkways that lead downhill to the action amenities.
The most intense action amenities – the skate park, pump track, and bike skills track – are at the core of the park, adjacent to spectator areas. The Activity Track provides a walking/running loop for visitors. The adventure playground, kids wheeled play area, and fitness areas are along the perimeter, with convenient access to park walkways and lawn areas. Each primary amenity is envisioned as a regional destination that can serve visitors from throughout Montgomery County and the surrounding area; however, the sizes and locations will need to be further studied based on site needs and budget considerations. Parks will engage qualified design-build firms to design action amenities. The potential restroom and mister station are in the lower area.
Except for trail connections to Nairn Trail and storm drain outfall improvements, the project does not encroach into the surrounding forest. Large open turf spaces, bi-annual mowed areas, reforestation, and riparian restorations are located along the outer perimeter, to help blend the new park into the adjacent forest.
Factors such as environmental resources (e.g., shade, drainage, views, topography, drainage), maintenance needs, additional community input, and budget will continue to inform the design as it is refined and progresses to a more detailed level of design.
Project Timeline
*Dates and times are subject to change.
| Date | Project Stage and Resources |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Wheaton Regional Park Master Plan (including an Action Sports Park at the Rubini Athletic Complex) was approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board. |
| 2023 – 2024 | Program Development and Preliminary Concept Design Phase: Internal project initiation work, including topographic survey, site analysis, programming research, concept studies, and initial public outreach |
| Early 2024 | Public engagement (e.g., meetings, surveys, presentations) with several local groups, including: Youth Town Hall at Wheaton Library/Recreation Center, Commission on People with Disabilities February meeting, and the Latin American Advisory Group (LAAG), among others. |
| April 3, 2024 7 pm – 8:30 pm | Virtual community meeting – presentation of two design concepts View the recording Vea la grabación |
| 2024 – 2025 | Concept Development View the post-community meeting revised concept |
| 2025 | Refinement of Preferred Concept View the latest updated concept at the top of the webpage |
| 2026 | Hire a landscape architecture consultant and design-build contractor. Preliminary Design with public outreach |
| 2027 (anticipated) | Detailed Design with focus groups |
| 2028 (anticipated) | Anticipated Construction |