Share your suggestions to improve Silver Spring Intermediate Neighborhood Park.

Montgomery Parks is working to improve Silver Spring Intermediate Neighborhood Park to meet accessibility and environmental requirements, and we are seeking public input. Two concept plans have been developed (pictured below) which propose updates for the park that will address these issues.  The plans were presented to the community on April 18, 2018.   The meeting presentation is available on the park project page.   Please review the concept plans and presentation and then share your ideas by leaving your comments and suggestions in the your response tab. Comments are being accepted until June 5, 2018. Parks staff will use public input to update the concept plan which will be presented at the second community meeting on June 12, 2018.

Background of the Park:

The park, located on the site of a former Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) is currently owned by MCPS and maintained by Montgomery Parks. The school buildings were demolished in the 1970s and the site was gradually developed as a park. Remnants of the site’s former use as an elementary school are still visible today and include a 21-space asphalt parking lot, two retaining walls and walkways, and many mature trees. 

Accessibility and Stormwater Treatment Limitations: 

The park was built nearly 40 years ago before the enactment of laws requiring accessibility and stormwater treatment.  As a result, the park is not accessible to people with physical limitations, and stormwater runoff from the park is not treated before entering the adjacent public storm drain system.  Federal law requires that all public facilities, including public parks, meet the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  In addition, state and county laws require that runoff generated by the site be treated prior to entering the public storm drain system.

Improvement Plan Goals:

The goal of the improvement plan is to refresh the park to meet accessibility and environmental requirements and better address the community's needs now and in the future. Existing recreational facilities and mature trees within the park will remain. Potential new facilities may include a shade structure, seating areas, a viewing area for the playing fields, fitness stations, additional landscape planting and walkway connections.

Park Concept Plans: 

Montgomery Parks developed two concept plans and shared them at a community meeting on April 18, 2018. The plans will be modified based on the comments received through this webpage during the comment period and those submitted at the community meeting.  The revised concept plans will be presented at a second community meeting on June 12, 2018.

For more information, visit the park project page.