Montgomery Parks

Celebrate Independence Day with Montgomery Parks! Get ready for a star-spangled long weekend! Montgomery Parks has announced their July Fourth operating hours and events, including fireworks displays, Shakespeare in the Parks, and extended open parkways access. For more information and a full list of events, visit: https://lnkd.in/eVXSHT_y

Are you ready for the best month of the year? It's Park and Recreation Month and this July we are celebrating the people, spaces and programs that help to create a sense of belonging at Montgomery Parks. Join us and the National Recreation and Park Association as we partake in #ParkandRecMonth #WhereYouBelong #WhereIBelong #ParkandRecMonth24

We're seeking an entry-level Public Information Specialist to join our dynamic and vibrant team and spearhead digital marketing initiatives for Montgomery Parks. Apply by 7/8: https://lnkd.in/egexJufz

The reopening celebration of Columbia Local Park in Burtonsville was a smash! Thank you to the local community, elected officials, and agency partners for your input, support, and patience in making these updates possible! We’ve transformed the park into a vibrant recreation area featuring dedicated pickleball courts, a tennis court, a soccer court, a plaza with seating and charging stations, a new parking lot, and a renovated shelter. Come check out the park for yourself! Learn more about the updates to Columbia Local Park: https://lnkd.in/ejs8xEPh

Summer is getting hot but our programs are even hotter! Check out this weeks edition of our newsletter that has a ton of programs coming up that you DON'T want to miss out on: https://lnkd.in/e-KcWzE3 Subscribe to keep up to date on the latest and greatest! https://lnkd.in/eUnztAwH

We are currently seeking a dynamic, highly professional Building Operations Manager. This position is responsible for the management and maintenance of the Wheaton Headquarters building. Opened in only 2020, WHQ is Maryland’s first LEED Platinum government building. Apply by 7/5: https://lnkd.in/e-hV3kj6

Program Spotlight: Montgomery Parks is unique in many ways, including that we have a biological monitoring program! Staff head to streams every June through September to collect quantitative data on fish, amphibian, and reptile species, as well as on other parameters to examine water quality. Streams are assigned a stream health rating score that reflects measures of sensitivity, structure, and function. Some stations are monitored annually, including this segment of Sligo Creek, which has supported healthier fish communities over time. The total number of fish species has increased and there are changes in abundance of the most commonly encountered species. For example, in 2006 the two most abundant fish species – the Blacknose Dace and Longnose Dace – represented 96.4% of the total number of individuals identified. In 2023, the same two species were still the most abundant, but only represented 63.9% of individuals identified. A pollution intolerant species, the Northern Hogsucker, has also been encountered since 2016, suggesting positive changes in water quality for this portion of the Sligo Creek Watershed!

In July 2023, Montgomery Parks conducted a survey to gather input on skate park features. We collaborated with local skate influencers and engaged our mascot, Otus the Owl, to promote the survey. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many ideas shared by skateboarders, especially teens. Kudos to our colleague, Marika Carley for her recently published feature in National Recreation and Park Association's Parks & Recreation Magazine covering Montgomery Parks’ skate park initiative and how we cultivate inclusive communities. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/eZ5jcSiU

Brookside Gardens, a 55-acre horticulture display garden located in Wheaton, Maryland seeks part-time seasonal employees to assist with gardening tasks from March through November. Apply: https://lnkd.in/ehYP3k8R

Spread your wings for this week's #FloraAndFaunaFriday featuring the Eastern Bluebird! These birds thrive in farm fields and open rural areas near woods, where they feast on insects—essential for protecting crops! While some Eastern bluebirds stay year-round, others migrate to southeastern states for the fall and winter. When nesting season arrives, male bluebirds scout out natural cavities, such as tree hollows, or artificial nest boxes. Once they find the perfect spot, they serenade nearby to attract a mate. By early spring, females lay about 5 eggs that hatch just 12 days later! After raising their young, they often care for one more brood before autumn arrives. For more information on the Eastern bluebird, check out: https://lnkd.in/eZ89696U Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources