APPENDIX 19: PARKS AND OPEN SPACES

Park Planning and Stewardship, Department of Parks, 2008

Public parkland, open space and pathways play an PODQ·VVXEXUEDQODQGXVH proposals for will provide a great deal of recreation and
important role in the well-being of a community. In Germantown. New visions for the study area open space in Germantown.
urban areas, parkland enhances FLWL]HQV·TXDOLW\ include a more compact and walkable
of life by providing visual relief from the built environment within each of several distinct mixed- 3. Assuring active and nature oriented recreation
environment, a sense of place and identity, an use neighborhoods that are clustered around the opportunities are available to existing and
opportunity to connect with nature, and space to transit stations of the Corridor Cities Transitway. future residents of the Germantown area. The
gather, play and celebrate community life. In The existing patterns and proposals for parks need ability of parks, both within the Sector Plan
addition, open space contributes to the natural to be reevaluated to support this new vision. area and also in the greater Germantown
environment by providing wildlife habitat, area, to meet the needs in the area have been
improving air quality, and preserving water quality. The key park planning issues that are addressed in assessed in light of potential increasing
this plan are highlighted below: density.
Master plans in future urbanizing areas, like the
Germantown Employment Area Sector Plan, refine 1. Providing adequate urban parks and open 4. Assuring connectivity between urban centers,
and customize parks and private open spaces to space in the areas of highest density and near parks, community facilities, and local and
reflect the particular needs of a community. They transit stations. Recreation proposals in this regional bikeways. Appendices 16 and 17,
also help implement land use planning goals and plan reflect increased density in the proposed Bikeways and Park Trail Connections, show
objectives established in the Countywide Park, mixed-XVH´XUEDQYLOODJHVµDURXQGWUDQVLW these connections in detail.
Recreation and Open Space Plan (PROS) for stations, and the changing land use patterns
Montgomery County which gives guidance on the and population forecasts. 5. Reflecting new park planning emphasis on
countywide pattern of parkland and recreation historical and cultural interpretation and
needs. The park and trail related 2. Creating a cohesive, usable, pattern of open outreach. This information is in Appendix 11,
recommendations in this document will update the space by utilizing public amenity space as well Cultural Resources.
2005 PROS Plan. as parkland. The new plan considers a series
of public open spaces near transit and mixed
Key Park Planning Issues use centers. Not all open space can or should
be publicly owned and managed parkland.
The existing pattern of parks in Germantown and Public amenity spaces in new developments
the surrounding area reflects the 1989 Master

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Plan Recommendations to Address Key recognizes that urban open spaces are a An Entertainment District Meeting Place: A
Planning Issues critical feature in higher density plaza with landscaping and seating across the
neighborhoods; and street from the cinemas, next to the police
The following planning recommendations will promotes the vitality of the centers by station.
address key issues and implement the Urban providing spaces for the meeting of residents
Open Spaces and Trails Concept (Figure 1). and employees. For Each Mixed Use, Transit-Served Neighborhood:
In order to assure that new mixed use areas are A Meeting Place: a space to wait for transit or
1. Provide urban parks and open spaces in high livable areas with open spaces and recreation, the meet people, near each transit stop.
density areas and near transit Stations. Plan recommends specifically: A Family Oriented Active Play Park: a flexible
open space with places to run, climb, play,
The Germantown Employment Area Sector Plan For the Town Center: and relax.
supports smart growth by proposing high density, Create a series of public open spaces, linked by a
mixed uses near transit areas. Public urban promenade, a linear pedestrian system along Urban open spaces tend to be more expensive to
amenity open spaces serve high-activity areas. Century Boulevard, the 7RZQ&HQWHU·V´0DLQ build, manage, and maintain than suburban parks.
Suitable locations include transit station areas, Street.µ7KHORFDWLRQVRIWKHVHVSDFHVZRXOGKHOS To develop, manage, and maintain these urban
large employment centers, commercial areas, and to enliven and complement the retail and open space areas in an attractive, usable manner
high density residential areas. They can provide entertainment district of the Town Center, and without impact on other public facilities, it will be
landscaped sitting areas, walkways, and flexible include: important to explore funding mechanisms such as
active recreational opportunities. Urban amenity The Town Commons: A civic space at the a maintenance district.
open spaces adjacent to large employment heart of Germantown with flexible seating in
centers provide a place for workers to eat lunch, front of BlackRock Center for the Arts. This 2. Provide a cohesive, usable, pattern of open
read, socialize, and relax. In addition, they provide space is currently owned by the County and space, by utilizing public amenity space as
the perfect opportunity for cultural resource maintained by DOT. well as parkland.
interpretation of a more progressive nature, such Town Center Urban Park: A strolling and
as public art. reflective park, located behind the library. This Recreation and open space needs in Germantown
park has already been approved as a facility will be met by a combination of public parks and
The Urban Open Spaces and Trails concept in this plan. private open spaces. The role of public parks in
Plan provides adequate open spaces and urban A Family-Oriented Active Play Park: An active this recommendation will be explored as part of
parks in the areas of highest density in that it: park with places to run, climb, play, and relax, the implementation process. Depending on their
reflects the need for more parks and open near the Upcountry Regional Services Center VFDOHDQGIXQFWLRQ´QHLJKERUKRRGJUHHQµDUHDV
space in the core area; on the M & T Bank site. may best be provided and managed by the private
sector. Park trails will be integrated into the

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overall pedestrian circulation concept to enhance shape the public realm and serve employees and renovated or new light industry emerges, open
connectivity. residents. spaces should be added to supplement public
parks. Landscaping, seating areas, and public
Policy Guidance for Urban Open Space Consideration should be given to the following DUWFDQLPSURYHWKHDUHD·VDSSHDUDQFHDQG
guidelines in location and development of urban improve the working environment.
Open Space in Urban Environments: Parks for park and amenity open spaces: i. Environmental function should be designed
Tomorrow (1998) indicates that urban residential a. They should be within five to ten minutes of into park facilities, such as fountains with
areas such as Germantown need several types of walking time for users. storm water functions, or that mask noise.
recreation facilities including hiker/biker paths b. They should include sitting areas, walkways, j. In residential developments, a key to providing
and community connectors, neighborhood and landscaping. adequate, close-to-home recreation is
recreation for new residential areas, and urban c. Playground equipment and other small-scale ensuring that opportunities are incorporated
recreation and open space for existing and active recreation facilities, such as multi- into plans for new development, which should
proposed businesses and mixed use development. purpose courts, should be considered in areas provide private recreation areas for all age
serving a significant number of children. groups, as appropriate. Private development
Planning and Design d. Special consideration should be given to the should include:
needs of the elderly and the handicapped. level grass areas for leisure and informal
7KLVSODQ·VUHFRPPHQGDWLRQVUHFRJQL]HWKDWXUEDQ e. Urban amenity open spaces located on the play to serve people of all ages
areas present distinct challenges and periphery of high-intensity non-residential adult recreation areas
opportunities to provide park and recreation areas should include facilities to serve nearby walking and bicycling paths.
resources and strive to incorporate and create residents. playgrounds for young children
those resources with redevelopment. The location, f. Design should provide crime prevention multi-use courts for children, teens, and
size, and type of open spaces appropriate to an through environmental design by maximizing young adults
urban setting are unique. As shown on the Urban visibility and natural surveillance.
Open Space and Trails Concept (Figure 1), this g. Amenity open spaces should be of a sufficient In high-rise housing and transit station areas
plan recommends a series of open spaces at a size to support appropriate use by residents, indoor recreation areas will be essential. Project
smaller scale than is typical of less densely workers and the public. development should explore innovative
populated areas, provided through a combination h. Consideration should be given to the approaches to providing these facilities, including
of public and private efforts. appropriate amount of funding necessary to rooftops and indoor facilities such as playgrounds
support both the initial cost of the and gyms.
Both residential and employment redevelopment development and the long-term maintenance
projects should provide a mixture of recreational of the amenity space. In commercial and
facilities, open spaces, and trail connections that mixed use developments, as businesses are

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3. Assure recreation needs, both active and picnicking. These parks will continue to serve a Parks and Recreation Opportunities
nature oriented, are met for future residents large population area because of their unique
of the Germantown area. facilities. Undeveloped Parkland: There are several
undeveloped local parks in the Germantown
It is critical for master plans to address the active In the last 10 years the Parks Department has Area that should be used to meet the needs of
and passive recreational needs of the area and developed six new local parks that have provided future residents of both the Transit Study area
determine whether there are any available and nine new fields, seven tennis courts, seven new and the Germantown Planning Area. These
appropriate sites for parkland acquisition to meet playgrounds, and five basketball courts. The include: Kingsview and Seneca Crossing.
long range future needs. Although new urban Recreation Department has opened a Additionally, the Hondros property which is
parks and open spaces are recommended near Germantown Recreation Center adjacent to part of South Germantown Recreational Park
transit stations, most opportunities for larger scale Kingsview Middle School and a world class aquatic may be used to provide future recreation
active and nature-oriented recreation will be met facility at South Germantown Recreational Park. facilities. Specific recommendations for these
in the greater Germantown area, beyond the study parks are found in Table 2.
area. Parks and Recreation Needs
Additional Facilities in Existing Parks:
Existing Parks One purpose of a master plan update is to assess Opportunities to provide recreation facilities
whether the existing recreational facilities are include a proposal for a large public/private
The Germantown Planning Area has nearly 2,000 adequate and whether new resources should be indoor tennis- racquet ball facility in South
acres of parkland, which includes approximately provided for existing and future users. The PROS Germantown Recreational Park.
300 acres of local parkland and around 1,700 in Plan projects recreational needs by planning and
Conservation, Stream Valley, Regional and community based team area, and specific needs Private Recreation Facilities: As residential or
Recreational Parks. (See Table 1) This parkland for sub-areas such as the study area are not mixed use neighborhoods are built, their
forms a greenbelt around Germantown, providing available. According to the 2005 PROS Plan the required private recreation facilities will be
residents with easy access to parkland. Black Hill Planning Area will need an additional six developed to help meet recreation needs in
Regional Park provides water oriented recreation playgrounds, but needs for tennis and basketball new residential communities.
and picnic/playground facilities, Ridge Road courts can be met by existing facilities at parks
and schools. In terms of new fields, the entire I-
Recreational Park has athletic fields, in-line hockey 270 Corridor will need 33 additional fields, many
and picnicking, and South Germantown of which will be provided by parks and schools in
Recreational Park has many active recreation the rapidly growing Clarksburg Area.
facilities including a soccer complex, an adventure
playground, splash park, heart smart trail, and

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TABLE 1: EXISTING PARKLAND IN THE GERMANTOWN AREA
Inventory of all Facilities & Parkland Owned, Leased and/or Maintained by M-NCPPC
Lighted Football Football
Park Park Play- Soft Ball Baseball Basketball/ Tennis Picnic Open Rest-
Park Name Acreage Basketball Soccer Soccer
Code Status ground Field Field Multi--Use Court Shelters Shelter room
Court Overlay Field
URBAN PARKS
A25 D GERMANTOWN SQUARE URBAN 0.7684
PARK
A28 U GERMANTOWN TOWN COMMONS 0.4602
URBAN PARK
Subtotal 1.2286
NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
B17 D FOX CHAPEL NEIGHBORHOOD 15.696 1 1 2 1 1 6
PARK
C33 U GUNNER'S VILLAGE 46.8461
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION
AREA
C15 U MIDDLEBROOK HILL 11.5435
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION
AREA
Subtotal 74.0856 1 1 2 1 1 6
LOCAL PARKS
E64 D CEDAR CREEK LOCAL PARK 10.1 1 1 1 1
D27 D CLEARSPRING LOCAL PARK 28.9823 1 1 2 1 1
E71 D FOUNTAIN HILLS LOCAL PARK 7.3774 1 1 1 2 1
D45 U GERMANTOWN EAST LOCAL PARK 8.0954
D52 D GUNNER'S BRANCH LOCAL PARK 65.4044 1 1 1 2 1 1 1
D53 D GUNNER'S LAKE LOCAL PARK 8.9398 1 2 1 1
E68 P HOYLES MILL LOCAL PARK 16.09
E69 P KINGS CROSSING LOCAL PARK 10.0072
D83 U KINGSVIEW LOCAL PARK 8.0001
D46 D LEAMAN LOCAL PARK 8 1 2 2 1
D91 D PLUMGAR LOCAL PARK 8.48 1 1 3 1 1
E02 D SOUTH GUNNER'S BRANCH 14.9927 1 1 2 2 1
LOCAL PARK
D73 D WARING STATION LOCAL PARK 16.457 1 1 1 1
E61 D WATERS LANDING LOCAL PARK 11.6874 1 1 1 2 1 1 1
Subtotal 222.6137 10 6 7 3 10 2 11 2 3 7
STREAM VALLEYS
P78 U GREAT SENECA STREAM VALLEY 436.6804
UNIT #1
P79 U GREAT SENECA STREAM VALLEY 392.2122
UNIT #2
Subtotal 828.893

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TABLE 1 (continued): EXISTING PARKLAND IN THE GERMANTOWN AREA
Inventory of all Facilities & Parkland Owned, Leased and/or Maintained by M-NCPPC
Community Recreation Center and Aquatic Lighted Football Football
Park Park Play- Soft Ball Baseball Basketball/ Tennis Picnic Open Rest-
FacilityStatus
Code Needs Park Name Acreage
ground Field Field Multi--Use
Basketball
Court
Soccer Soccer
Shelters Shelter room
Court Overlay Field
RECREATIONAL PARKS
H07 U RIDGE ROAD RECREATIONAL 74.7189 1 2 1 1 1 3 2
PARK
G11 D SOUTH GERMANTOWN 700.4416 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 4 1
RECREATIONAL PARK
Subtotal 775.1605 3 4 3 1 3 2 3 7 3
SPECIAL PARKS
N30 D WATERS HOUSE SPECIAL PARK 3.9
H08 SOCCERPLEX OF SOUTH 24 24
GERMANTOWN
Subtotal 3.9 24 24

Total 1920.6571 14 11 3 8 3 15 5 38 9 4 40

Community Recreation Center and Aquatic intersection of Rt. 355 & Middlebrook Road by the activities. Service populations include all ages,
Facility Needs Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. preschool through senior, from a surrounding
30,000 minimum-resident area. By taking
Currently, the Germantown area is served by Based on the population of Germantown as well as advantage of the future development it may be
several public community centers and aquatic WKHLQFUHDVHGGHYHORSPHQWRIWKHPL[HGXVH´WRZQ possible to integrate facilities into the initial
facilities. The Germantown Community Recreation FHQWHUµDUHDVWKHUHLVDVLJQLILFDQWQHHGWRORFDWH conceptual design of some mixed use projects. It
Center and Germantown Outdoor Pool were built additional community serving recreation facilities may even be possible to conceive of a full service
on a single site in combination with the Kingsview in this vicinity. Geographically, sites in the central facility including outdoor features at the eastern
Middle School. The site includes outdoor and northeastern sections of Germantown would edge of the Germantown community and a
recreation facilities and is located southwest and be most complementary to the existing facilities ´GRZQWRZQDQQH[µLQWKH0LOHVWRQHI-270 area
outside of the study area. The Germantown Indoor DQGVHUYHERWKWKH´LQ-WRZQµXUEDQFHQWHU that would provide residents of the higher density
Pool, located at South Germantown Regional Park residents in the vicinity of the Transit Corridor and central sections with a smaller facility focused on
is a large full-service aquatic facility drawing from those in growth areas north and east of the core basic key recreational elements.
a regional audience. Plum Gar Neighborhood study area.
Recreation Center, situated at the farthest
southeast corner of the study area, will be Facilities would generally take the form of a
renovated by the Recreation Department. Last, an multipurpose building blending community service
additional small facility is operated near the with active and passive recreation/leisure

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Table 2: Summary of Park and Trail Recommendations Corridor Area
Proposed Parks and Open Space Germantown Study Area
Park Status Issues Opportunities or Recommendations
Town Center Commons, BlackRock Owned by Montgomery County Poorly maintained Encourage DOT to develop a plan for better
Center for the Arts front lawn public use with seating, landscaping, etc.
Family-oriented play park near M&T Bank site Exchange for Germantown Family oriented seating and playground.
Upcounty Regional Services Center Square Urban Park. Need to
anchor south end of Century
Boulevard Promenade.
Transit Neighborhood Parks : Developer owned, could be public Urban open spaces needed near Flexible, level grassy area for variety of active
Cloverleaf Park or private future transit stops. pickup sports, seating, play structures,
Far North Park skateboarding spot. Possible location of cultural
Seneca Meadow Park public art/artistic interpretive elements. Seneca
Milestone Green Meadows Park could be combined with an urban
recreation center on east side of I-270.
Town Center Urban Park Proposed for construction in the Lack of play facilities for children Explore installing climbable art either in the park
Capital Improvements Program or next to the library.
Germantown Square Local Park Existing Underused, inaccessible. Swap for M&T Bank site near Town Center
(Century Boulevard at Middlebrook Road).
Germantown Boys & Girls Clubs site Existing building provides Poor views into site from the Design, install, maintain streetscape, possibly
(Germantown East Local Park) recreation programming space. street partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs. Work with DOT
to install safe pedestrian crossings.
Parks Beyond Study Area (To be used by residents of the study area)
Kingsview Local Park Facility Planning Priority Project Needs program Facilities for youth and teens, such as skate park
or plaza, open play area, playground
Seneca Crossing Local Park 20-acre Facility Planning Priority Needs program Provide needed fields, possibly cricket and other
Project in the FY07-12 CIP active recreation facilities
Expansion of Black Hill Regional Park Under study Valuable forest needs protection Protect through easements or dedication

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It is recommended that the M-NCPPC work closely Natural Resource Recommendations:
with the Department of Recreation to incorporate
community recreational facilities into a detailed Develop all parks and open spaces in an
land use plan for the further development of environmentally sensitive manner.
Germantown.
Examine feasibility of park acquisition of any
Stewardship of Natural Resources and properties that include outstanding natural
Nature Oriented Recreation Facilities resources if they become available,
particularly those adjacent to Black Hill
The M-NCPPC made an early commitment to Regional Park or Great Seneca Stream Valley
environmental stewardship and conservation Park.
when it was first formed in 1927 and began
acquiring land surrounding the stream valley
parks. This commitment has become an important
principle that guides a wide range of planning and
regulatory programs and projects.

As indicated on the Existing Parks Table, the

Germantown area has over 800 acres of nature
oriented stream valley parkland. The Great Seneca
Stream Valley Park offers opportunities for natural
oriented recreation such as enjoying nature,
hiking, nature photography, bird watching, etc. The
Black Hill Regional Park provides opportunities for
water oriented recreation, picnicking, and hiking.

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