AppendixG:

Parks

The following appendix provides background information into the Parks Recommendations in the Sector
Plan by providing the framework for the Parks Policy Guidance and PROS Plan Urban Parks Hierarchy. This
appendix also outlines the current and future needs for establishing parks and open space in Downtown
Bethesda and provides the results of community input during public meetings and work shops in the
development of the concept framework plan at the beginning of the project.

POLICYGUIDANCE
The2012PROSPlan(PROS)focusesonhowtheparksandrecreationsystemmeetstheneedsofour
growingpopulationandcontinuestoplayamajorroleinshapingMontgomeryCountyshighqualityof
life.AcentralcomponentofPROSisitsServiceDeliveryStrategiestoensuretherightparksareput
intherightplaces.Thestrategiesrecommendthetype,numberandgenerallocationoflandsand
facilitiesneededtotheYear2022.Currentandfutureplansforurbanparks,trails,dogparks,
communitygardens,andotherneededfacilitiesareguidedbyPROS.
AstheCountybecomesmoreurban,acquiringparksitesingrowthareasisincreasinglydifficultbecause
ofcompetitionforland.TheUrbanParkGuidelines,approvedbythePlanningBoardaspartofPROS
recommendsthatasystemofparksandopenspacesbeprovidedforeveryurbanmasterplanorsector
planareathroughacombinationofpublicandprivateefforts.
PROSPlanUrbanParksHierarchy
TheUrbanParksHierarchyisguidanceoutlinedinthe2012PROSPlanfortheevaluationandcreationof
amorecompletepark,trail,andopenspacesystem.Thehierarchyisasfollows(page22,PROS):
Eachareamasterplanshouldincludeasystemofopenspacesbasedontherolesofeachtypeofopen
space.Theamountandsizeofopenspacesmayvaryfromplantoplanandshouldbedirectly
proportionaltotheprojecteddensity,andadjustedtothepatternofexistingopenspaceandother
factorssuchascommunityspecificneeds.
Thefollowinghierarchyshouldbeappliedtoanynewurbanizingarea:
FortheSectorPlanArea:

Activerecreationdestinationslocatedwithinorneartheplanarea,includingcourts,
playgrounds,andlawnareaslargeenoughforpickupsoccer,festivalsorevents,etc.

Acentralcivicgreenurbanpark(Chapter3),ranginginsizefromto2acres,dependingon
projecteddensities,locatedincloseproximitytoapublictransithub,nexttoactivatinguses,witha
mixtureofhardandsoftsurfacesincludingacentrallawnareaforevents

Aninterconnectedsystemofsidewalksandtrailstoconnectparksandopenspaces

Woodedareasthatwillprovideasenseofcontactwithnature

ForeachUrbanNeighborhood:aneighborhoodgreen,urbanbufferpark,orcommunityuserecreational
park
ForeachBlock:anurbansquare,plaza,orgreenarea
ForeachBuilding:outdoorrecreationspace
ForeachResidence:privateoutdoorspace

ESTABLISHINGPARKSANDOPENSPACENEEDSINBETHESDA,CURRENTANDFUTURE
Park,TrailandOpenSpaceneedsfortheBethesdaDowntownPlanareaweredeterminedthrough
communityinput,duringseveralpublicworkshopsandmeetings,andonlinecommentgathering,aswell
asthe2012Parks,Recreation,andOpenSpace(PROS)Plan.
AsoutlinedintheBethesdaDowntownPlanBriefingBook,existingparks,trailsandopenspaceinthe
areaareprovidedthroughthefollowingnetworkofspaces:

severalurbanbufferparks(CarolineFreelandUrbanPark,ElmStreetUrbanPark,BatteryLane
UrbanPark,andChaseAvenueandCheltenhamDriveUrbanParks);

theCapitalCrescentTrail,aregionallysignificanttransportationandrecreationhardsurfacetrail
corridor;

twopubliclyownedandwellusedpublicplazas(VeteransParkandtheBarnesandNobleplaza
space;

NorwoodLocalPark,thelargestparkwithrecreationalfacilitiesincloseproximitytothe
BethesdaDowntownarea;and

aseriesofunderutilizedprivatelyownedandpubliclyaccessibleplazaspacesconcentratedin
theCentralBusinessDistrictpartoftheDowntownPlanarea.
TheBethesdaDowntownPlanareaisathrivingurbanandurbanizingCentralBusinessDistrict
surroundedbyaffluentresidentialneighborhoods.Thisareaprovidesaclearexampleofthehistorical
approachtoparkplanningforanurbanizedareawithinMontgomeryCounty:MNCPPCParksare
locatedontheperimeterofthedowntowncore,actingasbuffersbetweentheurbanareaand
residentialneighborhoods,whiletheurbanizedareaitselfpossessesfewcentraltraditionalgreenpark
likeopenspaces.Theoptionalmethoddevelopmentsofthe1980sproducedmanyprivatelyprovided
publicusespacesthatserveasplazas.The1994BethesdaCBDSectorPlanrecognizedthatthepublic
usespacesneedtobeimprovedtobesafer,morevisible,andwelcomingtothepublic.
AsBethesdaurbanizedandnoadditionalparkspaceswerebuiltwithintheSectorPlanarea,demand
increasedforwalktoparks,parkfacilities,andopenspaces.ThePROSPlanandadditionalstudiesby
MontgomeryParksindicatethatthereisunmetdemandintheBethesdaNorthBethesdapartofthe
Countyforrectangularathleticfields,dogparks,skateparks,adultfitnessequipment,community
gardens,andcommunityopenspace.
COMMUNITYINPUT
DuringthedevelopmentoftheConceptFrameworkPlanthefollowingkeyquestionswereidentified:
HowcanBethesdabeimprovedwithgreenspacesandconnections?

Wherearethebestplacesforfocalpointsandgateways?WhereistheheartofBethesda?

Wherecanparksprovideatransitionalongtheedges?

Throughouttheextensivepublicoutreacheffortsforthisplan,FIVEcommonthemesemergedtime
aftertimeaspeoplecommentedabouttheopenspacesysteminBethesda:

1.

PressingIssues,ConcernsandDislikesoftheexistingopenspaces

2.

Existingplacesandamenitiesthatthereshouldbemoreofand/orshouldbeexpanded

3.

Opportunitiesseenforimprovementinexistingspaces

4.

ParksandOpenSpacesthatarelovedandconsideredimportant

5.

SolutionssuggestedforthePublictobenefitfromincreaseddensity

Thesecommentsweredocumentedandplacedinasummarychartandwereusedtodevelopthe
recommendationsfortheConceptFrameworkPlan.

OTHEROPENSPACE
OPENSPACEOWNEDBYOTHERPUBLICAGENCIES
TwoadditionalwellusedopenspacesthatarenotownedbyMNCPPCareVeteransPark,atthe
intersectionofWoodmontAvenueandNorfolkAvenue,andtheplazaoutsideofBarnesandNoble,at
theintersectionofWoodmontAvenueandBethesdaAvenue.BothofthesespacesareMontgomery
CountyDepartmentofTransportationRightsofWaysuccessfullyconvertedtopublicplazaswith
seating,landscaping,andwaterfeatures.Inaddition,theMontgomeryCountyRecreationDepartment
runstheBethesdaPool,whichisjustsouthofdowntownBethesda.
PRIVATELYOWNEDPUBLICUSESPACE
Forthelasttwodecades,commercialandresidentialdevelopmentprovidedanumberofprivately
ownedandpubliclyaccessibleopenspaces,intheformofplazas,largersectionsofsidewalk,and
landscapedseatingareas.Manyofthesespaces,whichactastheprimarynetworkofpublicspacesin
downtownBethesda,arenotperceivedaspublicspacebecausetheyareeitherelevatedabovethe
streetlevelorarepartiallyhiddenfromthestreetwithinaninteriorcourtyard.Publicinputfromthe
publicmeetingswiththeBethesdacommunityindicatedadesireforpublicrealmimprovements,
including:

Publicspaceisnoteasilyaccessiblebecausesomeareabovestreetlevel
Communityresidentsdonothaveanyknowledgeofexistingpublicspaces
Toolittlegreenspaceanditsdecreasing,moreandmoretallerbuildings,narrowsidewalks,
especiallywhentablesaresetupoutsideofrestaurants,noaffordablestorefronts,
inconsideratebicyclists,toofewpublicrecreationfacilities
LackofuseofMetroCenterPlaza,(i.e.icerinkprogramming)
Lackofgreenspace(spacewehaveisntused)

Dropinmeeting

Commonareas
o
Veteranspark
o
AreabyBarnesand
Noble

Civicvenuein
Bethesdaforgraduations,
etc.

Outdoorpublic
pool/Rec

CapitalCrescent
Trails

Placesyoulike/Love/think
areimportant

Lovegreenspace,
walkabilityandisinfavorof
masstransit.Publictransitis
agoodthing.CCTisagreat
featuretoescapethebusy
areaofthecity

ArteryPlazaand
openspace/pocketparks
makeBethesdalivable.

Expand/Needmore
of/Opportunities

ExpandElmStreet
parkNeedformoreparks
Createalargegreenspace

DropinMeeting

PressingIssues/
Concerns/Dislikes
Concernsoflackof
Notesfrommeetingat
openspace
WritersCenter

Notenough
November14,2013
provisionsforgreenspace
andpublicamenities;
acquisitionoflandfor
sidewalks

Community
residentsdonothaveany
knowledgeofexistingpublic
spaces

Notenoughgreen
spaceisavailableinthe
community

Publicspaceisnot
easilyaccessiblebecause
someareabovestreetlevel
Group2

Bettertrailaccess
DropinMeeting

Betterconnectivity

Moreopenspaces
Group2

Newgatewayplaces
DropinMeeting

DateofInput

Page1of9

Solutions/PublicBenefits
fromDensity

Shouldconsidera
newzoneifunderthree
acresthereisnoopen
spacerequirement;what
littlewehaveisnot
usable

Community
shouldgetmorepublic
benefitsfromvarious
developmentprojects

Downtown Bethesda Park Plan Public Input to Date on Parks, Open Spaces,
Trails and Recreation, April 8, 2014

KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1

KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1

KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1

KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1

Toolittlegreen
spaceanditsdecreasing,
moreandmoretaller
buildings,narrowsidewalks,
especiallywhentablesare
setupoutsideof
restaurants,noaffordable
storefronts,inconsiderate
bicyclists,toofewpublic
recreationfacilities

Notenoughspace
forpublicgathering(inside
andout),concernedSt.
Johnschurchwillbe
isolated,realestatedriving
decisions

trafficspeedof
cars,noisyrestaurantslate
nightservice,verylimited
publicgathering
places/parks,realtordriven
development

unevenbrick
sidewalksmakewalking
difficultespeciallyfor
disabled,poorstreet
lightinginspots,shortageof
greenspace

lackofarealurban

park/gatheringspace

Bethesdaavenue,
WoodmontandCapital
CrescentTrail

Nightlifeandart
venues,walkability/safety,
openspace/streetscapes

BethesdaRow,
greenspaces

Canwalktostores,
restaurantsandCrescent
Trail

Indoorplayspace

Walkability,small
townfeel,CapitalCrescent
Trail,LandmarkTheater

Page2of9

Downtown Bethesda Park Plan Public Input to Date on Parks, Open Spaces,
Trails and Recreation, April 8, 2014

KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1

KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1

KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1

CrescentTrail,

Gasstations,
density,buildingheights,
parking,lackofuseofMetro
CenterPlaza,(i.e.icerink
programming)lossof
currentaffordableunits,

Balancingdiversity
andlivability,creationof
pocketparksinurban
context,providing
commercialfordailyneeds

Lackofdiversity,too
fewyoungadults,lackof
urbanopenspace

Spaceforfresh,
localfarmmarketsona
regularbasis,maintaining
openspaceforother
outdoorevents,artvenues
theater,livemusic,etc.,

VeteransPark

BarnesandNoble,

Lackofgreenspace

BandN

RetailonBethesda
andWoodmontAve,Barnes
andNoble,Theaters,Trails

BethesdaRow,St.

JohnsEpiscopalChurch,
CapitalCrescentTrail
BarnesandNoble

Gatheringspace
indoor/outdoorinCenter

Page3of9

Downtown Bethesda Park Plan Public Input to Date on Parks, Open Spaces,
Trails and Recreation, April 8, 2014

KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group1
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group2

CapitalCrescent
Trailwidenthetrail.

Restareas,benches

Pleasepoolthe
publicspacestocreate
largerandbettergathering
places
Tallerbuildingson/near
publictransportation(Metro
Center,southernportal)

Bettertrailaccess

Outdoorseating

CapitalCrescent
Trail

Commonareas
(VeteransPark)

promotinghelpingto
surviveandthrive
CapCrescentTrail,

Page4of9

Ipropose
relocatingaboveground
parkinggarages
undergroundand
constructingparksabove
theunderground
garages.Wearelosing
openspaceinBethesda
andneedtocreate
additionalspacefor
parks.Iamtalkingabout
relocatingpublicgarages
undergroundsuchasthe
ElmStreetgarageand
thelargepublicgarage
onWoodmontnearthe
LionsgateandBlack
Restaurant;Financingfor
therelocatingofthe
garagesunderground
couldcomefrom
developerscontributing
toarelocationfundin
exchangeforhigher

Downtown Bethesda Park Plan Public Input to Date on Parks, Open Spaces,
Trails and Recreation, April 8, 2014

KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group2
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group2
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group3
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group3
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group3

KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group2

Trail

Morewalkable
streets/betterpublicspace

Lackofgreenspace
(spacewehaveisntused)

Notenoughplaying
fields

CapitalCrescent

BarnesandNoble
Plaza

Thereisaneedfor
morepark/openspaceinthe
CBD

Unsafe/poorly

definedopenspace

Greenspace,parks,
theater,localconvenient
moderatelypriced
restaurantsthatare
accessible,convenient
shoppingwithoutamall.

Openspace/park
areas

Page5of9

densityandbuilding
heights.Parkscould
includeaskatingrink,
waterpark,spacefor
concerts,artshowsetc.
EllisGordon

Moreanddiverse
gatheringplacesinaddition
toBarnesandNoble
fountain

Needconnectionof
residentialareatotrail

Notenoughpark
spaces

Densityhas
overwhelmedNorwoodPark
whichhasmostusefulspace

KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group2

Downtown Bethesda Park Plan Public Input to Date on Parks, Open Spaces,
Trails and Recreation, April 8, 2014

KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group4
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group4
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group5
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group5
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group5
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group5
KickoffmeetingNov
4,2013
Group5
OTHERCOMMENTS
FROMINDIVIDUAL
CONVERSATIONSAND
COMMENTCARDS

Disappearingopen
space

Betteraccessto
trailsandtobusinesses

Lackofdogparks

Trail

Probsw/Metro
Plaza

Communitygathers
Linearparks

Pocketparks

CapitalCrescent

BerylNeumanscomment

card:
Likes:Skybridges:these
structuresenablemetogo
outfrommyhomeduring
theblizzardsof2010.Taste
ofBethesda,BUPandits
hostingofevents,Dance
Bethesda,danceconcerts,
andoutdoormovies.Access
togrocerystorescloseby.

Metroplaza
opportunity

Shadyareas

CapitalCrescent
Trail

Currentopen
spacesininteriorofblocks

+Greenareasexist
oneswellused

Page6of9

Downtown Bethesda Park Plan Public Input to Date on Parks, Open Spaces,
Trails and Recreation, April 8, 2014

Toomanydead
inaccessiblepublicspaces

Publicfeedbackon
ParksandOpenspace
fromMarch1
VisioningSession

Metrocenter(not
reallyameetingplacebut
shouldbe)

Morelinkages
neededbetweendistricts/
neighborhoods(exampleof
Bradleycentercomment:
BradleyCenterhaslotsof
nicesmallshopsbutnot
easytogettherebybiking
andwalking)

Theopenspaceat
thepancakehouseneeds
redesign

Needmorealleys
likeBethesdaLaneto
improveaccessandbe
interestinginandof
themselves

Creategreat
gatheringplaces

Openspacesfeel
secret,unknownandare
underutilizedreposition

OpenspacesforALL
GROUPS

Heartandsoulinall
centers

Farmersmarketand

ImportantPlaces:Sky
bridges

KeepWoodmont
Eastgreenopenspace

Capitalcrescent
trail,NorwoodPark
entrancewalkabilityfrom
FriendshipHeightsto
Bethesda

Preservelight
aroundopenspaces

Page7of9

Keeptheartand
otheropenareasaspart
ofdeal

Downtown Bethesda Park Plan Public Input to Date on Parks, Open Spaces,
Trails and Recreation, April 8, 2014

ElmStreetParkcombo

Usablegreenspaces
ontopofhighrisebuildings

Welldesigned
publicmeetingspace
insteadofsmalllimiteduse
openspace

Theopenspaceat
thepancakehouseneeds
redesign

Needtomake
MetroCenterPlazamore
invitingandgreen

Creategreat
gatheringplaces

BethesdaMetro/
BusStation:investin
cosmeticandlandscape
improvements

Clearlydefined/re
positioned
open/green/gathering
space,includingdogparks
andfarmersmarket

Openspacesfeel
secret,unknownandare
underutilizedreposition

OpenspacesforALL
GROUPS

Moreandbigger
greenspaces

NeedGREEN
Page8of9

Downtown Bethesda Park Plan Public Input to Date on Parks, Open Spaces,
Trails and Recreation, April 8, 2014

connections(nosterile
canyons)

DogParks

Needmorealleys/
paseos

Needmoregreen
spacessmallareaswith
benchesandtables

Needball/soccer
playfields

Anticipate
infrastructureneedsof20
yearsfromnow(Green
openspaceisan
infrastructureneed)

Creategreat
gatheringplaces

Dogparksand
Farmersmarket

Multigenerational
playstructures:benches;
activities;dogparks;athletic
fields

Pocketparks24hr
activity

Communitygardens

Heartandsoulinall
centers

Page9of9

Downtown Bethesda Park Plan Public Input to Date on Parks, Open Spaces,
Trails and Recreation, April 8, 2014

Bethesda Downtown Plan

MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION