Project Description
This project will renovate existing natural surface trails as well as construct new ones within Wheaton Regional Park. As a result, this project will increase trail accessibility, improve trail connectivity, and enhance overall trail conditions for users throughout the park and the greater community. The project will add an additional 1.75 miles of new natural surface trail and close/reforest .25 miles of existing natural surface trail. Once the project is completed, there will be a total of 6.25 miles of natural surface trails within Wheaton Regional Park.
Background
Wheaton Regional Park consists of 538 acres in the lower, eastern part of the county. It is located near the Wheaton Urban District, Glenmont, and Kemp Mill communities and adjoins Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park to the east. The Wheaton Regional Park Master Plan was approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board in June 2022 the park master plan will guide the development of the park, including new and renovated facilities, broad operation, management, and maintenance issues. It will serve as a comprehensive and visionary plan that balances recreation and stewardship, core to Montgomery Parks’ mission. The Wheaton Regional Park Master Plan will also boost trail accessibility and connectivity by renovating some existing trails into multi use trails and will provide numerous park destinations from the surrounding communities. In addition, the plan calls for new shared hiking-equestrian natural surface trails; maintains select hiking-only natural surface trails; and significantly enhances the user experience through improved signage, maps, wayfinding, and trail surface conditions.
Status/Project Update:
Montgomery Parks began construction in the fall of 2022 and the majority of the construction was completed in fall of 23 and is open for use, construction of the mountain bike only trails began in winter 2023 and is estimated to be complete by late spring 2024. Trail construction during winter months may result in trail surfaces to be temporarily more muddy than usual as extra time is needed to dry out and firm up trail surfaces. Thank you for your patience.
November 2023
Construction begins on a new trail for novice mountain bikers. The trail will be accessible near the paved path adjacent to the Shorefield entrance to the Park.
May 2024
Estimated Completion