Montgomery Planning Board: Parks Series - Experts on Parks and Land Use Series

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Parks 101
An overview of the county’s award-winning 33,000-acre park system and all it has to offer to county residents and visitors.
Session answers questions including:
- What recreational opportunities do the parks provide?
- What happens in the nature centers?
- Where are the public gardens located?
- Where can I find out all that’s going on in the parks?
- What can county residents do to protect the parks?

Investing in the Parks: Capital Improvement Plan 101
An informational session on how the Park and Planning Commission decides the priority order to fund certain improvement and development projects in the parks.
Session answers questions including:
- How much parkland is there in Montgomery County?
- How does the Park and Planning Commission go about acquiring new land for parks?
- Over the next few years, which parks will be renovated?
- Are there new parks opening soon?
- What can county residents do to help advocate for additional funding for park and recreation improvement?

Non-Native Invasive Plants 101
A look at the negative and impact of invasive plants and vines in Montgomery County’s parkland and what the Department of Parks is doing to control the problem.
Session answers questions including:
- What kinds of invasive species are in parks?
- What do they look like?
- What damage do they do to the ecosystem?
- What is being done to control invasive species?
- What can county residents do to help combat the problem?

Public-Private Partnerships 101
An overview of the ways in which private companies can chip-in to help foster an even better public park system in Montgomery County.
Session answers questions including:
- What companies have partnered with the parks in the past?
- What kinds of successes have happened because of public-private partnerships?
- What are the challenges associated with establishing public-private partnerships?
- What could a company or organization do to help improve the public park system?

Safety in the Parks 101
An important informational program on what Maryland-National Capital Park Police are doing to keep the parks safe.
Session answers questions including:
- What methods do the Park Police use to keep the parks safe?
- Why is the Park Police unit not a part of the Montgomery County Police Department?
- Which parks have the highest number of reported criminal activity?
- How do the Park Police patrol the parks? How many Park Police officers are there?
- How can I protect myself in the parks? What kinds of activities are not permitted in the parks?
- What can county residents do to combat illegal activity in the parks?

Wild Montgomery 101
An overview on the many creatures – other than humans – that call Montgomery County home.
Session answers questions including:
- What types of wildlife inhabit the county?
- What is being done about the deer population?
- How many different species of birds are there in Montgomery County?
- Where are some great places to see wildlife?
- Where are some great places to go bird-watching?
- What can county residents do to help foster an environment that is friendlier to wildlife?

Date of last update: May 5, 2008