A Ride On Guide to Montgomery County Parks

Montgomery County residents are taking every opportunity to enjoy the outdoors before winter weather arrives. Montgomery County has a great selection of parks to enjoy - many of which are easily accessible no matter where in the county you reside. 

If you and your family need to get out of the house and into nature this fall, Ride On is ready to help get you there. Read below for a selection of the area's parks and which Ride On routes you can take to get you there.

• Wheaton Regional Park:
  
  Visit Wheaton Regional Park in Silver Spring for fun for every member of your family. This park features multiple playground structures, lots of walking trails, sports fields and venues, and even a dog park. Take the kids for a ride on the carousel or ride the miniature train to see holiday decorations for a day they'll be begging to repeat. Feeling festive? The Wheaton Ice Arena has open skate times to make you feel like the holidays have come to stay. Take Ride On Routes 31 or 9 for access to this fun-filled spot.
  
  
• Cabin John Regional Park: 
  
  Cabin John Regional Park attractions include various athletic fields, tennis on both indoor and lighted outdoor courts, and even ice skating in any weather at the fully enclosed Cabin John Ice Rink. Visitors can become entranced by a ride on the model train, spend the afternoon relaxing with family and friends at various picnic and playground areas. Want to camp without leaving the city? The Robert C. McDonell Campground offers seven walk-in primitive sites. Take Ride On Route 37 to arrive right in the middle of the park, no parking spot necessary. 
  
  
• Seneca Creek State Park: 
  
  Seneca Creek State Park spans 6,300 acres, including the 90-acre Clopper Lake. Picnicking, boat rentals, trails and a tire playground are just some of its recreational opportunities. A restored 19th century cabin and a self-guided path interpret the history of the area. Over 50 miles of trails are open for hiking, horseback riding and bicycling which wind through a variety of habitat. To visit Seneca Creek State Park, take Ride On Routes 61, 71, 74, or 78.
  
  
• Rock Creek Regional Park: 
  
  Rock Creek Regional Park stretches across approximately 1,800 acres and includes the 75-acre Lake Needwood and the  55-acre Lake Frank. Meander along 13 miles of trails through woodlands and along the lake shores, or go picnicking, fishing, or boating while viewing the many species of resident wildlife. Other park amenities include playgrounds, Needwood Boat Rental and Snack Bar, Meadowside Nature Center, and lake tours on the Needwood Queen. Take Ride On Route 53 (or 59 if you like to hike) to visit this gem. 
  
  
• South Germantown Recreational Park: 
  
  South Germantown Recreational Park is one of Montgomery Parks’ most active parks. The large park offers a variety of activities to choose from, including hiking, biking, archery, miniature golf, swimming, soccer, picnicking, and adventure play, to name just a few. Whether you're a BMX biker or a cricket player, South Germantown Recreational Park has something for everyone. Ride On Route 98 passes directly through the center of this park, getting you right where you want to go.

Ride On bus fare is only $1 and monthly passes are $22.50 using SmarTrip, cash, or tokens. Seniors age 65 or older, persons with disabilities and youth ages 18 and under all ride free using specialized SmartTrip cards.

Riders can plan trips online using the free Ride On Trip Planner App. 

For the most up-to-date service information, riders should follow @RideOnMCT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. In addition, information is available at rideonbus.com, by subscribing to receive email alerts, or by texting MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 468311 to receive text alerts. 

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.  

MCDOT Working to Prevent Spread of Tree-Killing Invasive Beetle

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation's Highway Services Division is fighting the spread of the emerald ash borer, the invasive beetle that has already killed hundreds of ash trees in local parks. View a video about the efforts. 

An emerald ash borer larva found in a tree along Rock Creek Trail in Kensington January 2015.

Evidence of tree damage.

SHA Begins Sligo Creek Trail Improvements in Montgomery County; Upgrades Include New Pedestrian Bridge and Trail Realignments

Hikers and cyclists who use a popular trail in Montgomery County will soon enjoy an improved walk or ride in Takoma Park.  The Maryland Department of Transportation’sState Highway Administration (SHA) is beginning a $1.9 million bicycle and pedestrian improvement project in the southeast quadrant of the MD 320 (Piney Branch Road) and Sligo Creek Parkway intersection.  Weather permitting, construction will be complete by the end of the year. More.

Final Design Selected for CCT-to-Little Falls Trail Connector

The route Montgomery's planning department is recommending for connecting the two trails.

A connector trail between the Little Falls Trail and the Capitol Crescent Trail now has a final design. A connector trail between the Little Falls Trail and the Capitol Crescent Trail now has a final design. See Park and Planning’s recommendation to the Planning Board. Read more.

Montgomery Parks Invites Public to a Meeting on September 16 about Proposed Changes to the Countywide Park Trails Plan

Montgomery Parks is planning a comprehensive amendment to the Countywide Park Trails Plan that uses updated methodologies, tools and strategies to plan and implement major park trail systems throughout the County. Parks invites the public to hear more at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 16 at 7 p.m. at the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission Montgomery Parks Shady Grove Maintenance Yard Training Room (enter under the green awning), 16641 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville. Read more.

Montgomery Parks Begins Installing Signs along Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail

Rock Creek Trail Signage

Montgomery Parks has begun installing trail signage along the 14-mile Rock Creek hiker-biker trail and its hard-surface trail connectors from Lake Needwood to the District of Columbia border. The project is scheduled to be completed by October 30. Read more.

Bicycle Master Plan Public Meetings to be Held in September and October

The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is inviting the community to participate in kick-off meetings during September and October 2015 to learn about the Bicycle Master Plan and how to get involved in planning a bicycle network for Montgomery County. The meetings will be held in five locations so that County residents can pick the one that is most convenient for them to attend.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP. The meetings will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the following locations:

• Tuesday, September 8 – Paint Branch High School, 14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville.
• Wednesday, September 9 – Germantown Regional Services Center, Room A, 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown.
• Tuesday, September 15 – Planning Department headquarters, 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
• Monday, September 21 – Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
• Tuesday, October 6 – Walter Johnson High School, 6400 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda.

More information is available online.

Go Montgomery - July 31, 2015

Pedestrian Collisions Significantly Decline in 2014 Pedestrian collisions in Montgomery County declined by 16 percent in 2014 compared to 2013, from 483 to 405. Most significantly, severe collisions - - where pedestrians are either killed or incapacitated by their injuries - - declined by 13 percent to an eight year low of 74, compared with 85 in 2013. Nine pedestrians were killed in 2014, compared to thirteen in 2013.  Read more. Leggett and Roshdieh Celebrate 25th Anniversary of ADA with Federal Transit Administrator; MCDOT’s Bus Stop Improvement Program Touted as National Model On the eve of the 25th Anniversary of the ADA, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett announced that the County’s nine-year Bus Stop Improvement Program has enhanced accessibility and pedestrian safety at 3,025 bus stops.  Read more. MCDOT Wins TPB Grant to Fund New Trail in Clarksburg The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) approved $523,416 for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) to fund the design and engineering of a shared use path and sidewalk along Maryland (MD) Route 355 in Clarksburg from Snowden Farm Parkway to Stringtown Road.  The path will create a link in the existing trail network along MD 355 between Little Bennett Regional Park Trail and the Frederick Road Bike Path. Montgomery County will contribute about $131,000 to the project if approved by the County Council.  Read more. Montgomery Parks to Temporarily Close Portions of the Capital Crescent Trail On Tuesday, August 4, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Montgomery Parks will close the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) between Bradley Boulevard and Little Falls Parkway. Trail users can use Bradley Boulevard and Arlington Road as a detour. On Wednesday, August 5, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., the trail will be closed between Little Falls Parkway and Dorset Avenue. The detour will take trail users over Little Falls Parkway at Dorset Avenue, onto Little Falls Trail to head north on Hillandale Road, cross Hillandale and use the road adjacent to the Bethesda Pool to reenter the trail.  More information is available online.  Road Rehabilitation Project in Damascus to Begin in Late Summer The Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Division of Highway Services will rehabilitate roads, sidewalks and curbs in the Chesney community in Damascus. This type of project rebuilds community infrastructure while protecting its trees and preserving the character of the neighborhood. Read more. JULY 31, 2015 Highway Services Road Improvement Projects Ahead The Division of Highway Services will begin several projects to resurface roads. Staff will make full depth patches, mill the pavement, repave roads with hot mix asphalt and replace lane markings. Schedules are dependent on weather conditions.  Project locations include:Greenwood Knolls, Second Avenue, Norton Road, Cheltenham Drive, Spring Garden Estates, Montgomery Industrial Park in Silver Spring, Riggs Road, Decoverly Drive, Fox Hills West. Read More. Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Depa

MCDOT Wins TPB Grant to Fund New Trail in Clarksburg

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) approved $523,416 for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) to fund the design and engineering of a shared use path and sidewalk along Maryland (MD) Route 355 in Clarksburg from Snowden Farm Parkway to Stringtown Road.  The path will create a link in the existing trail network along MD 355 between Little Bennett Regional Park Trail and the Frederick Road Bike Path. Montgomery County will contribute about $131,000 to the project if approved by the County Council.

The grant comes from the Maryland Transportation Alternatives Program, which provides federal funds for projects considered as alternatives to traditional highway construction.  The program combines three former federal programs: Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to Schools and Recreational Trails. The Maryland program is facilitated by the Maryland State Highway Administration and final funding recommendations are subject to review and approval by the State Secretary of Transportation.

TPB also approved other projects that will benefit Montgomery County:

• $2 million in grant funds for Montgomery Parks to construct the North Branch Hiker-Biker Trail.  This trail is an important link between the Lake Frank/Rock Creek Trail and the Muncaster Mill Road Bikeway/ICC Shared Use Path. See location.
• $99,703 to the City of Rockville for the Falls Road East Shared Use Path.
• $395,000 to the City of Takoma Park for Lincoln Avenue sidewalks (Safe Routes to School).

More information and a map of project locations are available online. 

Montgomery Parks to Temporarily Close Portions of the Capital Crescent Trail

On Tuesday, August 4, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Montgomery Parks will close the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) between Bradley Boulevard and Little Falls Parkway. Trail users can use Bradley Boulevard and Arlington Road as a detour.

On Wednesday, August 5, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., the trail will be closed between Little Falls Parkway and Dorset Avenue. The detour will take trail users over Little Falls Parkway at Dorset Avenue, onto Little Falls Trail to head north on Hillandale Road, cross Hillandale and use the road adjacent to the Bethesda Pool to reenter the trail.

More information is available online.