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Parks and Recreation Committee
Current Issues
When available, links are provided to documents that can be accessed on this or another website.  To use a link,
simply click on the underlined item.
  • 2012 Park, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Plan Update -
FUTURE PARK and RECREATION FACILITIES:
What Do We Want, What Do We Need, and What Can We Afford?
What are the park and recreation needs for the next 10 years? How will those needs be met?  The 2012 Park,
Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan Update will estimate future needs and explain the strategy for meeting
those needs. (For example, the draft  PROS includes the following strategy for soccer fields: “Maximize field use
and minimize wear with the installation of synthetic turf”).              

Two public meetings were held 1/24 & 25/12, to obtain public input for future park and recreation needs and how
they should be implemented.  These meetings used an Open House format with the following stations:
•    Recreation and Aquatic Centers    
•    Environmental and Historic Preservation    
•    Trails    
•    Recreation Trends (Community Gardens, Skateboard Facilities, Dog Parks, Volleyball, Cricket, etc.)    
•    Traditional Facilities (Athletic Fields, Picnic Shelters, Playgrounds, Tennis and Basketball Courts, Ice Rinks,
etc.)    

To let the County officials know what you think:
PROS Plan Project Coordinator: MCP-PROSPlan2012@Montgomeryparks.org
MOCO Parks Dept. Director, Mary Bradford: 301-495-2500  Mary.Bradford@mncppc-mc.org
MOCO Recreation Dept. Director, Gabriel Albornoz: 240-777-6800  Gabriel.Albornoz@montgomerycountymd.gov

Here is the schedule for the plan’s development.
•    Open House Public Meetings - January 2012    
•    Presentation of Staff Draft Plan to Planning Board - April 12, 2012    
•    Public Hearing before Planning Board - mid-May 2012 (tentatively)    
•    Planning Board Work Sessions - June 2012
•    Plan Approval by Planning Board - July 2012    
•    Final Local Plan Submission - July 2012

(click to view Parks Department webpage on PROS Plan Update, which has links to current 2005 PROS Plan and
the Draft 2012 Update, to view MCCF Committee analysis of draft PROS Plan, or to view MCCF position)

  • Semi-Annual Reports of Planning Board presented to County Council -- includes schedule
for future Parks Department work on major projects, which Council must approve (click to view Fall 2011 Report -
see Major Capital Projects schedule on pg. 23, and Parks and Trails Planning schedule on pp. 24-25; or to view
Spring 2012 Report)

  • Parks and Recreation Transition Report -- On Jan. 25, 2011, the County Council received an update
on work being done to consolidate a number of services that have been performed and programs that have been
offered by both the County's Department of Recreation and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning
Commission.  When formulating the current FY11 budget, the Council stipulated certain consolidations to avoid
duplication and to save money.  (click for link to 1/25/11 Council staff packet, including Dec.3, 2010 Joint
Workinggroup Report)