New county park named to honor Village resident Royce Hanson

Montgomery Parks has officially opened Royce Hanson Conservation Park, a 475-acre nature refuge located at 21820 Club Hollow Road in Poolesville and about a mile from the Potomac River.

Named in honor of Montgomery Village resident, Dr. Royce Hanson, former chairman of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the park celebrates his visionary leadership in helping to create Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve to  preserve the agricultural history of  the county and advance smart conservation efforts going forward.

Royce Hanson Conservation Park protects the Broad Run watershed – home to unique plants and distinctive wildlife, especially birds. In fact, birdwatchers have noted that the park is one of the best places in the county for watching a vast array of birds of various species. Visitors can also enjoy five miles of scenic trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature observation. The park also offers picnic areas, fishing ponds and an outdoor classroom, designed to connect recreation with environmental education.