Project Overview
Woodside Urban Park, a 2.3-acre green space at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Spring Street, is a key entry point to downtown Silver Spring. Originally developed in the 1970s, and expanded in 1984, the park offers a range of amenities including playgrounds, a skate spot, sports courts, seating areas, and a decorative fountain. The park serves a diverse community of park visitors and provides important opportunities for play, active recreation, social gathering, and contemplative experiences in a wooded setting.
A 2011 facility plan to redesign the park was delayed during the 2019 – 2024 fiscal year Capital Improvements Program. Following that the project was suspended, and the budget was reduced, and the scope of the project was revised.
Montgomery Parks is now restarting the effort with a park renovation project to update aging infrastructure, meet current codes, and enhance recreational spaces, while preserving valued elements, such as mature trees.
Project Background:
The 2.34-acre park was designed in the early 1970s and is one of the three major urban parks in the North and West Silver Spring master planning area. The adjacent Silver Spring Community Service Center (formerly Woodside Elementary School) was conveyed to the county from Montgomery County Public Schools with the approval of the Montgomery County Planning Board in 1984. The park was expanded to include a gym building, basketball court, and playground. The existing park includes a decorative fountain, seating areas with trellis structures, playground areas, lighting, picnic areas, a skate spot, a basketball court, and a handball court.
Status/Project Update
On April 10, 2024, park staff presented the updated concept plan to the Woodside Civic Association. Park staff is currently refining the recommended plan for the improvements to Woodside Urban Park. Detail design, construction drawings and permitting will begin in the summer of 2025 with construction anticipated to being in 2027.
Recommended Plan
The updated plan for Woodside Urban Park introduces a flexible lawn and plaza with a large picnic pavilion and stage for community events, along with a prominent public art piece at the main entrance.
Key improvements include:
- Simplified, accessible pathways
- Enhanced park lighting, especially at sports courts
- Upgraded stormwater management infrastructure
- Preservation of most existing trees and current playgrounds
Additional features include:
- New picnic pavilion near the playground
- Deck with bench swings
- Central multi-sport court with kick wall
- Resurfaced and improved tennis and basketball courts (for better play and viewing)
Project Timeline
*Dates and times are subject to change.
| Dates | Project Stage and Resources |
|---|---|
| 2009 – 2016 | – Initiated with site surveys, data collection, and design research – Hired a consultant and held four community engagement meetings – Refined a preferred final design with preliminary permitting and cost estimates – Facility Plan approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board – Completed detailed design and construction documents |
| 2018 | Project placed on hold due to funding adjustments |
| 2021 | – The Facility Plan Amendment process began, including concept redesign and continued permitting – Updated concept plans were shared with the community |
| 2024 | Updated concept plan presented to Woodside Civic Association |
| Summer 2025 (anticipated) | An amended Facility Plan is scheduled to be presented to the Planning Board |
| Fall 2025 – Fall 2026 (anticipated) | Final detailed design and permitting |
| 2027 (anticipated) | Construction is anticipated to begin |