Park Activity Buildings
Park Recreation & Ancillary Buildings Study
Project Update
Randolph Hills Park Activity Building
Thursday, July 24, 2008, the Montgomery County Planning Board reluctantly approved the Department of Parks staff recommendation to remove the Randolph Hills Park Activity Building at Randolph Hills Local Park in Silver Spring because of its failure to meet safety standards for public use and occupancy.
“Making the decision to remove this building was not easy because it has been part of the community fabric for many years,” said Department of Parks Park and Trail Planning Supervisor Lyn Coleman during Thursday evening’s meeting. “It’s hard to make these types of decisions that affect park facilities we know are important to local communities.”
Before approving the Parks Staff Memo recommendations to remove the park activity building and replace and relocate the playground at Randolph Hills Local Park out of the environmentally sensitive area in which it is currently located, the Board heard additional testimony about the importance of the park and all of its amenities from Randolph Civic Association members, including association president Mike Saunders.
Community members spoke about wanting a thriving and desirable Randolph Hills Local Park which provides recreational opportunities within the local community, and noted the park activity building’s vital role in accomplishing this goal. Saunders also urged that the new playground equipment at the park be installed as quickly as possible and pointed out that the park needs drinking fountains.
With respect to the playground, Department of Parks Landscape Architect Kathy Dearstine indicated during Thursday’s meeting: “We have the play equipment and can install it promptly after the building is removed.” Along with the playground, the Planning Board also directed parks staff to install a drinking fountain in the park as well. Saunders additionally suggested that there was a need for even more, affordable public use spaces in the county available for volunteer organizations and civic group meetings.
In 1984, a previous Planning Board decided, as a matter of policy, there would be no new park activity buildings built in the county’s parks. Parks staff is planning to return to the Planning Board in the fall for a more comprehensive discussion about the park activity buildings, including a presentation of an array of options for the remaining buildings in the system and more complete data on the historical use patterns of buildings, such as Randolph Hills.
Project Update | Park Recreation& Ancillary Buildings Study | The Next Steps
The Study
The Department of Parks currently maintains thirty-one small-to-medium buildings throughout the county that are often used for birthday parties, community events and small classes. Use of these buildings is managed through the Park Permit Office. Recently, all thirty-one buildings were reviewed for current condition, level of use and maintenance requirements.
An assessment of the park recreation and ancillary buildings was conducted by parks department staff in conjunction with a study by Facility Engineering Associates (FEA), a consultant to the Department of Parks. This study found that many of the recreation buildings are underutilized and will require major repairs. The recreation buildings were sorted into four preliminary categories:
- Continue and Improve
- Evaluate and Market
- Transfer or Demolish
- Assess Historical Priority.
Study Results
An initial staff report was presented to the Montgomery County Planning Board (MCPB) on June 28, 2007 outlining the assessment’s findings and preliminary staff recommendations.
Five recreation buildings were identified as being possible candidates for demolition or transfer to another public agency. These were placed in the “Transfer or Demolish” category, and active outreach with the impacted communities is underway. Summaries of these buildings are available on the "Public Input Needed" page for this project.
One recreation building was placed in the “Assess Historic Priority” category and is currently undergoing a separate assessment to determine its historical significance. Summaries of these buildings are available on the "Public Input Needed" page for this project.
The remaining eighteen recreation buildings were placed in one of two categories: "Continue and Improve" or "Evaluate and Market." It is believed that the underutilization in these buildings is at least partly due to lack of awareness. As a result, a three-year marketing campaign will be developed to increase awareness and use of these public buildings. After three years, the use and condition of these buildings will be reevaluated.
Project Update | Park Recreation& Ancillary Buildings Study | The Next Steps
Next Steps
The next and most important step in this process is to take these preliminary recommendations to the communities, individuals and groups impacted by the potential changes. At this time, staff is seeking input from the public on buildings in the “Transfer or Demolish” and “Historic Priority” Categories. As noted on our Public Meetings Calendar, several meetings and discussions have already taken place and many more will occur over the next several months.
Our hope is to return to the Planning Board in February 2008 with a progress report containing recommendations that balance community need and input with the reality of the building condition assessment results.
NOTE: No final decisions have been made, and none will be made in the immediate future. The Planning Board, our governing body, was briefed on assessment results and proposed outreach strategies in June before staff engaged the public in discussion. This has been our greatest lesson learned; taking our findings to the Planning Board first has led to the mistaken perception that the preliminary recommendations are in fact final decisions. They are not.
We hope that you will send us your thoughts and comments. You can also request a member of our staff to attend your upcoming public meeting.To do so, please e-mail us at: MCP-RecBuilding@mncppc.org or call 301-650-4389.
Date of last update: July 31, 2008
