Montgomery Parks is seeking input from community members about facility hours and the types of programs they would like to see at Montgomery Parks nature centers. The department has launched a nature center community input survey for people to provide feedback. The survey can be accessed online at https://mocoparks.org/NatureInput through the end of January.
Montgomery Parks manages four nature centers and one nature classroom throughout the County, including Black Hill Nature Programs at Black Hill Regional Park, Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, Locust Grove Nature Center in Cabin John Regional Park, Meadowside Nature Center in Rock Creek Regional Park and Maydale Nature Classroom in Maydale Conservation Park.
“Montgomery Parks is aiming to meet the needs of our community, many of whom discovered how important nature is to their health and wellbeing over the last two years,” said Angela Yau, a Montgomery Parks nature facility and program manager. “This survey will help us plan when and where to best offer programming that works for our community, including the expansion of programs for seniors and those with special needs as we know access to nature is a key component of wellness. We are also seeking input for new initiatives like the Nature on Wheels programming and self-guided hikes and exhibits.”
The nature centers are aimed at enriching people’s lives and bringing communities together through meaningful experiences, connections, and appreciation for nature. The department has recently launched its mobile nature center “Nature on Wheels,” which allows programming to be accessed almost anywhere.
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 420 parks.
