Montgomery Parks hopes to enliven a lightly-used park in White Flint with some temporary new features this summer ahead of a bigger makeover that could be many years away.
Parks officials are looking for ways to activate Wall Local Park, the 12-acre site at the intersection of Nicholson Lane and Old Georgetown Road more commonly known as the small green space near the Shriver Aquatic Center parking lot.
It has a playground, small multi-use field and picnic area. As part of the 2010 White Flint Sector Plan, county officials envisioned the park be expanded to cover the 250-space swim center lot and serve as the central green of White Flint.
But that major move requires a series of steps, including an agreement to share a planned garage with the developer of the site just north of the swim center. That development must wait for the realignment of Executive Boulevard and a new street grid to be put in.
County Councilmember Roger Berliner has said he’d like to see Parks do something to attract people to Wall Park until that process plays out.
Last week, Berliner, Parks officials, Department of Recreation officials and advocates from the Friends of White Flint met to discuss how to make that happen.
According to Friends of White Flint Executive Director Amy Ginsburg, a weekly grill night, improved exercise facilities, a walking trail around the perimeter of the park, a new interactive art piece, temporary skateboard ramps or even pop-up dog parks were among the ideas pitched.
Ginsburg wrote on the Friends of White Flint website that Parks officials said they’re goal is to have programming in the park starting in June.
“Everyone agreed that anything done now to improve Wall Park must be sustainable, ensure the park is safe, have an attractive appearance, and be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Ginsburg wrote. “Community input and support of park improvements and programming is essential.”
The Friends group invited Parks to make a presentation about its options at its March meeting, set for March 25 at 7 p.m. at the Rockville offices of Federal Realty Investment Trust (1626 East Jefferson Street).
