Northwest Branch Recreational Park Master Plan
Project Update
The Objectives, Issues and Outreach for the Northwest Branch Recreational Park Master Plan were approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board on May 22, 2008. Read the staff memorandum (.PDF, 2.3MB) which is also located in the Planning Board archives for that date - item #12.
Meanwhile you can provide you input on this project by taking our online survey. Park Planning Staff will continue to research Plan Issues during the summer and early fall. Please keep checking the project Calendar & Meeting Notes as a second community meeting to obtain input on preliminary concepts for the Park will be scheduled in late fall 2008.
Purpose of the Plan
A master plan is needed at this time to provide a future vision and sketch plan for the undeveloped areas of Northwest Branch Recreational Park.
The Plan will be coordinated with many current proposals in and near the park including the Trolley Museum relocation, new cellular tower, ICC construction, the Rachel Carson Greenway and other trail connections, Llewellyn Fields Athletic Area, and other requests for facilities.
The major focus of the master plan will be to develop a concept plan for a family recreation area north of Bonifant Road that will complement the Trolley Museum facilities, and preserve many areas for nature study and wildlife habitat.
The Rachel Carson Greenway Trail will connect the park to Llewellyn Fields Athletic area on the Northern edge of the park, and a connection to the ICC trail will be studied.
The portion of Northwest Branch Recreational Park north of Bonifant Road has been envisioned in Park, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Plans for many years as a future recreation area.
The 2001 PROS Implementation Plan states that “a family picnic/playground area is envisioned to complement the trolley museum”. Families could come and visit the museum, ride the trolley, and use the future playground and picnic area.
The Park Today
Northwest Branch Recreational Park is located in eastern Montgomery County, north of Wheaton on the east side of Layhill Road. The Park is composed primarily of gently rolling fields and a portion of the Northwest Branch Stream Valley. Northwest Branch Golf Course in included in the Park boundaries which are also adjacent to Layhill Local Park.
Development Status
Northwest Branch Recreational Park consists of 680 acres of existing parkland which includes the Northwest Branch Golf Course and is adjacent to Layhill Local Park. Partially developed, the existing facilities include: trolley museum (which is being relocated) and the Northwest Branch Golf Course that is now operated by the Revenue Authority.
Proposals for the Future
Have your voice heard. Take our on-line survey to give us your ideas for this park - click here
Proposed Vision
The portion of Northwest Branch Recreational Park north of Bonifant Road has been envisioned in Park, Recreation, and Open Space Plans for many years as a future recreation area. The 2001 Park Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Implementation Plan states that “a family picnic/playground area is envisioned to complement the trolley museum”. Families could come and visit the museum, ride the trolley, and use the future playground and picnic area. The undeveloped portions of this park should be reserved to serve future County-wide active recreation needs. The interior stream valley portions of this park should be preserved. A Family Picnic/Playground Area is envisioned to complement trolley museum.
Proposed Facilities
- Trolley Museum expansion.
- Family Recreation Area
- Trails
- Improvements to the Northwest Branch Golf Course are proposed by Revenue Authority.
- A Verizon cellular tower is also proposed and Llewellyn fields athletic area.
Major Plan Issues
- New Trolley Museum and Verizon Tower
- Potential future Family Recreation areas north of Bonifant Road (large family picnic/playground area/group picnic)
- Retention of Natural areas
- Relationship to Layhill Local Park, Northwest Branch Golf Course, and future Llewellyn fields athletic area
- Rachel Carson Trail, hard and natural surface trail loops and connection to the ICC Trail
Meeting Calendar & Notes
Hot links to review Meeting Notes and Planning Board memos will be attached to each calendar event as it is completed.
NOTE: Please keep checking this calendar as community meetings will be added to the schedule.
Date | Time |
Meeting Notes | Planning Stage | Topic for Discussion | Location | Description |
2007 |
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Fall |
Begin environmental analysis of Park. |
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November |
Form Parks Staff team. |
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2008 |
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Winter |
Develop plan objectives and issues. |
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February 7th 7pm |
Notes from this meeting | Park Issues Meeting with Community. |
Good Hope Recreation Center - 14715 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905 |
Ongoing |
We need your input! Take the survey. | Take our Online Survey to collect public input on facilities and features in NW Branch Rec. Park | |
Spring |
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| May 22 |
Planning Board Memo - Item #12 at 2pm | M-NCPPC Planning Board Report on Issues, Outreach and Work Program.
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M-NCPPC Planning Board - 8787 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
Spring/Summer |
Prepare draft plan concept with community input. |
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Fall |
Staff Draft recommendations finalized. |
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Winter |
Staff Draft presented to Board and Public Hearing scheduled. |
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2009 |
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Winter/Spring |
Planning Board Public Hearing |
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Spring/Summer |
Planning Board work session(s) |
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TBD |
Plan Adoption |
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Media Center
- Press Releases
- Print Articles - available as published
- Community Links - coming soon. NOTE: We will add to this list as we have meetings with various community groups.
Public Input Needed
Northwest Branch Recreational Park Survey
Be a part of the decision-making process to decide which facilities and features in this park are most important to the public. Take our online survey. This survey is an ongoing process. If you would like a paper copy sent to you through US mail, please contact us:
Tanya Schmieler, Project Leader - Tanya.Schmieler@mncppc-mc.org - 301-650-4392
Last update: July 14, 2008
