by David Humpton, EVP
Central Park at the former Montgomery Village Golf Course site – As part of an MOU with Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF), Monument Realty will build a central park for MVF at the intersection of Montgomery Village Avenue and the future extension of Stewartown Road, which will cross over to Watkins Mill Road. The central park will include a dog park (area for small and large dogs), a fenced community garden with 20 elevated garden plots and two playground areas for children. These items are all included in the MVF Long Range Facility Plan.
MVF staff has been working with Monument on all aspects of the site plan, and the park concept plan has been shown in earlier plans. Monument submitted a site plan to the Planning Department which includes Central Park; 400-plus new homes; plans for the county’s park area, which includes many new trees, pathway connections and storm water management enhancements; new roadways; and more. The Central Park plan will be shared with the Recreation Committee at an upcoming meeting. Per the MOU with MVF, the park has to be open with occupancy of the 150th home on the property. The Planning Board will take the site plan up on an agenda later in the fall.
Next Director of Recreation and Parks – After an extensive search, Duncan Mullis, former MVF Recreation staffer and current Village resident, was selected as MVF’s next Director of Recreation and Parks. Duncan comes to the position with extensive recreation program management experience and a real passion for parks and the natural environmental. He is coming to MVF after a successful stint with the City of Rockville Department of Recreation and Parks. He will begin his new position in mid-August. Please welcome Duncan to his new job.
Watkins Mill Interchange Groundbreaking – On July 11, Governor Hogan joined with county and state officials to officially break ground on the Watkins Mill Interchange, which was one of MVF’s transportation priorities. Senator Nancy King and Delegates Barkley, Reznik and Robinson worked tirelessly to get this project back on track after the Governor delayed the project for design and funding issues.
The new interchange will help reduce congestion on Montgomery Village Avenue and other area roadways, and will bring improved access for residents to the MARC train station on Metropolitan Grove Road and the future Corridor City Transitway, which is still in the planning process. According to the Governor, the new interchange will be developed in coordination with the large I-270 improvements. If all goes well, the interchange will open in 2020.