Montgomery Parks Wants to Know What You Love or Would Change About Our Local Parks

 

Montgomery Parks is asking members of the public what they want to see in Parks. The suggestions could include ideas for new parks, more funding for existing projects or updates or major renovations to older parks. Public input will be considered when the Park and Planning Commission outlines its budget priorities for the 2027-2032 Capital Improvements Program.

Parks leaders emphasize that public input on the capital budget help them prioritize projects and budget requests.

How to Submit Ideas:

• Online at Engage Montgomery Parks (open through September 1, 2025)
• In-person at the Park and Planning Commission Community Forum
• Thursday, September 11, 2025, 7 p.m.
  The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC)
  2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton MD 20902
  Sign-up to speak here
• Via email to mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org
• Fax to 'Chair Artie Harris' at 301-495-1320
• U.S. Mail: Artie Harris, Montgomery County Planning Board Chair, 2425 Reedie Drive, 14th Floor, Wheaton, Maryland 20902

Get Downright Dirty at Montgomery Parks Annual MudFest June 13

On Saturday, June 14, join Montgomery Parks as we start our summer season off by connecting to our roots, literally, with giant man-made mud pits. Thanks to Black Hill Discovery Center and the Northern Parks Region, the lawn of Woodstock Equestrian Special Park will be turned into mud pools for attendees to cool off, splash and jump around in. Check out the giant mud slide, play around the mud volcano and make mud pies at the pop-up kitchen.

Make sure to dig up those old T-shirts from the back of your closet and leave your nice clothes at home. Pack your plastic buckets, shovels and wheelbarrows to craft the perfect mud castles. Bring sleds to go down the mud slide and goggles to splash in the pools. Enjoy music from a DJ, buy an event T-shirt and purchase a bite to eat from local food vendors.

Enjoy a slice of pizza from El Jefe Woodfired Pizz, and beat the heat with a refreshing snow cone from Clayboy’s Shave Ice, both available for purchase.

The fee for this event is $20 per car.

Montgomery Parks Offers Weekly Homeschool Days Programming

 In recognition of Homeschool Awareness Month, Montgomery Parks is offering a special lineup of weekly Homeschool Days, designed to educate and inspire students in grades 2–8. Every Friday in May, homeschool families are invited to explore local history, agricultural innovation and environmental science through hands-on activities and interactive experiences at parks across the County. 

Each week offers a unique theme and setting, providing families the opportunity to learn in a fun and immersive environment. Programming includes Poetry and Play at a 19th-century historic schoolhouse, a homeschool tailgate day to learn about agricultural history in the County, an event at the historic Harper Cabin about life during the Reconstructionist era and a program at Oakley Cabin about African American heritage.

A complete listing of events and details is available at MoCoParks.org/HomeschoolDays.

The Butterflies are Back at Brookside Gardens

 
After a five-year hiatus, the Butterfly Experience at Brookside Gardens is back and on view through September 21, 2025. The display features live butterflies from North America, Costa Rica, Africa and Asia. Hundreds of these enchanting insects will delight and amaze visitors with their intricate patterns and delicate aerial flight paths. The exhibit is open daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through June 30. A full schedule of exhibit hours is available on the Parks Department website at https://brooksidegardens.ticketsauce.com/e/butterfly. Tickets are available for purchase for a specific date and time. Ages 13+-$14, ages 3-12-$9 and children under three are free. The display is in the South Conservatory House at Brookside Gardens, located at 1500 Glenallen Ave. in Wheaton. Parking is limited at the conservatory, but is also available at the Visitor’s Center at 1800 Glenallen Ave. 

Wheaton Regional Park Celebrates Opening of New Carousel and Offers Half-Price Tickets Saturday, April 5

Montgomery Parks is offering half-price carousel rides at Wheaton Regional Park on Saturday, April 5 to celebrate the opening of a new carousel. The new carousel features colorful, hand-painted, fiberglass horses and zebras, as well as two bench-like chariots, one of which is ADA-accessible. The new carousel is located near the Shorefield Road entrance to Wheaton Regional Park, next to the miniature train station.

Half-price tickets for the carousel on April 5 are $2 each, while the regular price is $4. Children under two ride free when accompanied by a paying adult. The carousel is open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and is open weekends through October. There are expanded operating hours on holidays and during Montgomery County Public Schools’ spring and summer breaks. Full details on the operating hours are available on the carousel and miniature train webpage. 

The new carousel replaces the Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel which operated at Wheaton Regional Park from 1985 through 2024. After reconditioning, the old carousel will be relocated to Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park in Clarksburg. 

Parks Department Programs in March and April Will Include Acoustics & Ales, a Family Yard Sale and More

A Sunday Serenade music performance and Shine Brighter Together, an event to recognize Autism Awareness Month are among the special events that Montgomery Parks will host to make spring special.

March programs include:

• Sunday Serenade, a free Sunday morning concert. Sunday, March 30. 10-11:30 a.m. Cabin John Regional Park Amphitheater. 7400 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda. Free. All ages are welcome.

April programs include:

• Acoustics & Ales. Friday, April 4. 5-7:30 p.m. Elm Street Urban Park. 400 Elm St., Chevy Chase. Live music performance, locally crafted beer and tasty bites from your favorite food truck. Beer and food available for purchase. All ages are welcome.
• Share Fair. Saturday, April 5. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Black Hill Discovery Center. 20926 Lake Ridge Drive. Boyds. Celebrate Earth Month with a free community yard sale. Sellers will use the trunks of their cars or bring their own displays to show items being given away, trunk-or-treat style. Buyers can drop by anytime to browse. Registration is required for each “seller” group or family. Contact Christy Korzen at Christy.Korzen@montogmeryparks.org.
• Shine Brighter Together. Saturday, April 5. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wheaton Regional Park. 2000 Shorefield Road. Wheaton. This family-friendly event offers hands-on, sensory-friendly activities and the opportunity to learn more about autism and the resources available. Free. All ages are welcome.

Join Montgomery Parks on Thursday, March 20, to Learn About Safe Streets and Roads for All projects

Montgomery Parks is hosting a series of traffic calming and road-crossing improvements at parks and trails in the County. As part of its Safe Streets and Roads for All projects, the funding was made possible through a $7.5 million federal grant. The public is encouraged to join a virtual community meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, to learn more about these projects and provide input.

These projects will increase safety along Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park and Trail, Matthew Henson State Park and Trail, and Wheaton Regional Park. These locations are near spots where pedestrian and bicycle fatalities occurred between 2015 and 2019.

The first round of projects focuses on traffic calming and road crossing improvements along Arcola Ave., with new sidewalk connections on Nairn Rd. and Orebaugh Ave., trail lighting and safety improvements along Matthew Henson Trail at Connecticut Ave. and Hewitt Ave., a new signalized crossing at Georgia Ave. and Evans Pkwy., and trail crossing enhancements along Sligo Creek Trail at University Blvd. and Godwin Dr.

Montgomery Parks is working closely with the Montgomery County Department of Transportation and State Highway Administration to advance these projects. Details are available at MoCoParks.org/SS4AFeedback.

New Park Academy Classes Focus on Mental and Physical Well-Being

 

Spring registration is underway for classes in the Park Academy Series. The program, sponsored by Montgomery Parks, focuses on mental and physical well-being. New classes this session include Storytime Art for Children and Caregivers, Midday Reset Yoga and Partnering Dance 101. Other popular classes such as Canopy Connection-Tree Climbing for teens or 55+ adults are also returning.

The Park Academy Series programs take place in neighborhood parks to bring fitness, wellness and learning classes close to home for participants. Programs are offered for all age groups and are held outdoors in local parks or in park activity buildings.

Visit the Park Academy webpage for a complete listing of classes. There is a registration fee for the classes. To register for Park Academy Series classes, visit ActiveMontgomery and set up a free account to get started.

Montgomery Parks Offers an Inspiring Lineup of Special Events to Celebrate Black History Month

Montgomery Parks will offer special events during February to celebrate Black History Month and honor local African American history, culture and community. 

• History Hour at Josiah Henson Museum and Park. Thursday, Feb. 20, 6-7 p.m. Josiah Henson Museum, 11401 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda. Historian Ralph Buglass presents an illustrated talk on how civil rights attorney Thurgood Marshall delivered an early blow to segregation in Montgomery County. The little-known case is often seen as the first step in Marshall’s drive to have segregated schools outlawed. Recommended for ages 12+. $5 per person. Tickets are available online and onsite. Guests may arrive early and tour the Josiah Henson Museum. Doors open at 5 p.m. Parking is available 1.5 blocks from the museum at Wall Park, 5900 Executive Blvd, North Bethesda.
• Black History Month Family Day at Josiah Henson Museum and Park. Saturday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Josiah Henson Museum, 11401 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda. Visit the Josiah Henson Museum and Park for educational, hands-on activities that demonstrate what a child’s life was like in Dawn, the settlement Rev. Josiah Henson created after self-emancipating to Canada via the Underground Railroad. Henson was a lifelong fighter for freedom and education. All ages. Free with paid admission to the museum. $5 for adults. $4 for children and seniors. Tickets are available for purchase onsite. Parking is available 1.5 blocks away from the museum at Wall Park, 5900 Executive Blvd., North Bethesda.
• Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park. 3610 Brookeville Road, Olney. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Montgomery Parks Hosts Exhibit of Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest Entries Through Wednesday, Feb. 26

 

The winning 2024 Federal Duck Stamp art is an acrylic painting of a pair of spectacled eiders by Adam Grimm of Wallace, South Dakota. © Adam Grimm, used with permission.

Montgomery Parks is hosting a free exhibit featuring paintings by top naturalist artists who are finalists in this year’s Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp contests. The exhibit is open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. in the lobby of Montgomery Parks Wheaton Headquarters, 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton.  The exhibit will be available to view through Feb. 26, 2025.

The exhibit includes nearly 20 works from the national contest, including Adam Grimm's winning painting of a nesting pair of spectacled eiders. It also includes 53 best of show entries from Junior Duck Stamp contests across the nation.

The Federal Duck Stamp art contest started in 1934 with the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act. That law requires hunters to purchase a yearly stamp as a license to hunt waterfowl. Since its inception, the program has raised more than one billion dollars for wildlife conservation and funded the conservation of more than six million acres of land for wildlife.

“The Federal Duck Stamp competition emphasizes realistic and accurate representation of waterfowl, down to the placement of individual feathers,” said Jen Scully, Montgomery Parks waterfowl expert and 2025 Federal Duck Stamp Contest judge. “You don’t have to be a bird lover to appreciate the detail and artistry that goes into these works, so we hope the public will come take advantage of the opportunity to see this fabulous art for free.”

Montgomery Parks Offers Summer Camps with Registration Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 21

Although there may still be snow on the ground, now is the time to start planning summer schedules. Montgomery Parks summer camp registration begins at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The Summer Camp Guide is available online now and offers a complete listing of camp offerings. More than 75 camps are scheduled this year for a wide range of activities, including sports, science, art and nature.

The camps will be held at Montgomery Parks nature centers, tennis centers, the Cabin John Ice Rink, the Wheaton Sports Pavilion and the South Germantown Golf Range. No camps will be held this year at the Wheaton Ice Arena due to a facility renovation. 

Camps include half-day and full-day options for young people ages 3 to 17, with aftercare available for select camps. Some teen camps include overnight camping. A complete list of camps can be found on ActiveMontgomery.org. Register by Friday, April 4, and receive an early bird discount of $25 off select camps.

Kick Off 2025 with Events and Activities Sponsored by Montgomery Parks

Breath and movement flow yoga, learning how naturalists care for birds of prey, and making your own native seed winter sowing containers are among the special events and programs that Montgomery Parks sponsors in January.

The list of programs will include:

• Breath and Movement Flow Yoga. Saturdays, Jan. 4, 11, 18 and 25. 10-11 a.m. Quince Orchard Valley Neighborhood Park. 12015 Suffolk Ter., Gaithersburg. This four-session series focuses on strength, stability, flexibility, skeletal alignment and mind-body connection through breath. Registration required. Ages 16 and up. $40 per person.
• Raptor Caretaker Chat. Saturday, Jan. 4.12-12:45 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Learn how naturalists care for amazing birds of prey. Discover what raptors eat for lunch, do for fun and how trainers build relationships with the animals. All ages. Free.
• Winter Native Plant Sowing. Sunday, Jan. 5. 2-4 p.m. Black Hill Discovery Center. 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds. Start your own native plants, even if you don’t have a greenhouse. Supplies are limited. Register here. All ages. Free.
• New Year Wellness Retreat. Sunday, Jan. 5. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallen Ave., Wheaton. Treat yourself to a day of yoga, meditation and creative visioning for your new year. Bring your own lunch and Brookside Gardens will provide an assortment of teas. Ages 18 and up. Registration required. $95.
• Tai Chi at Brookside Gardens. Wednesday, Jan. 8. 9-10:15 a.m. Brookside Gardens. 1800 Glenallen Ave., Wheaton. Learn the ancient Chinese form of exercise perfect for adults seeking stress reduction while strengthening muscles, improving balance, and increasing flexibility. Ages 18 and up. Registration required. $14.
• Cleanup at Long Branch-Garland Neighborhood Park. Thursday, Jan. 9. 1-3 p.m. Long Branch-Garland Neighborhood Park, 8601 Garland Ave., Silver Spring. Help beautify your community green spaces, keep litter out of streams and protect wildlife. All ages. Children under 14 years old must volunteer with a parent/guardian. Registration required.

Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming.

Garden Railway Exhibit, Searching for World’s Rarest Species and Winter Skating Shows Among Special Events Sponsored by Montgomery Parks

The annual exhibit of model trains at Brookside Gardens, an adventure searching for the world’s rarest species and winter skating shows at the Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena are among the special events and programs that will be sponsored by Montgomery Parks in December.

The list of special events programs will include:

• Garden Railway Exhibit. Through Jan. 4 (closed Dec. 24‒25, and Jan. 1). 10 a.m.‒3:45 p.m. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Tiny trains travel around the iconic buildings, bridges and miniature landscapes of Montgomery County. Exhibit courtesy of partnership with the Washington Virginia Maryland Garden Railway Society. Free.
• Cabin John Winter Ice Show. Saturday, Dec. 14. 6:30–9 p.m. Cabin John Ice Rink, 10610 Westlake Drive, Bethesda.
• Wheaton Winter Ice Show. Sunday, Dec. 29. 1:15 –2:45 p.m. Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Ave., Wheaton. Celebrate the holidays with a free figure-skating performance by our ice skaters as they twirl, leap and dance their way around the ice rink. All ages. Free.

Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Visit the Winter 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.

‘Garden of Lights’ Display at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton Now Open

 

The annual Montgomery Parks’ “Garden of Lights,” a breathtaking outdoor winter light display at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, is now open. This year’s exhibit features more than 1.5 million twinkling LED lights.

Brookside Gardens is located at1800 Glenallan Ave., in Wheaton. The half-mile pathway for the walking tour is transformed into a glowing winter wonderland. Guests can warm up with hot chocolate and grab a snack or a holiday gift at the gift shop.

Tickets are $10 per person (ages 5 and older). Children under 5 are free, but must register. To purchase tickets online, visit Garden of Lights and click on the link for tickets.

The Garden of Lights exhibit features dazzling light displays showcasing flowers, animals and nature-inspired scenes. This year’s exhibit will include a new lighted archway and lighted jumping pads.

The magical experience will run nightly through Jan. 5. It will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1. The display is open from 5-9 p.m.

For a sneak peek of the display, check preview video and photo album from last year.

 

29th Annual Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park Returns with 450 Illuminated Displays

The City of Gaithersburg’s 29th Annual Winter Lights Festival, featuring3.5 miles of enchanted woodland with more than 450 illuminated displays and spectacularly lit trees that brighten the evening sky is now open. The display in Seneca Creek State Park will have seasonal scenes like Winter Woods, Teddy Bear Land, Toyland, Victorian Village and the North Pole.

Seneca Creek State Park is located at 11950 Clopper Road in Gaithersburg, easily accessible from I-270.

For an added experience, come during one of the Enchanted Evenings. These are special themed events available before Winter Lights opens to vehicles.

The Winter Lights Festival will be open every night through Dec. 31 (except Dec. 25) at Seneca Creek State Park. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be available at the gate. The price is $15 per car/van (Monday-Thursday) and $25 per car/van (Friday-Sunday) or $30 for a 15+ passenger van. Purchase tickets here.

A Great Skate Awaits Around the County This Winter

Experienced and novices who have been awaiting cold weather so they could lace on a pair of ice skates can put on the warm clothes and get ready to glide. Visit MoCo is encouraging residents and visitors to take advantage of the many skating opportunities throughout Montgomery County.

Top places to skate outdoors include Rockville Town Square and Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. The Rockville Town Square rink is said to the be largest public ice surface between Baltimore and Washington.

Indoor skating can be done year-round at the Cabin John Ice Rink in Bethesda and the Wheaton Ice Arena in Wheaton Regional Park.

Visit MoCo has more details on ice skating in the County here.

New Pickleball Courts Open in East Norbeck

Montgomery Parks has expanded pickleball opportunities with the creation of six new dedicated pickleball courts at East Norbeck Local Park. A ribbon-cutting celebration was held on Nov. 13.

East Norbeck Local Park is located at 3131 Norbeck Rd. in Silver Spring.

With the completion of the six courts at East Norbeck Local Park, Montgomery Parks now has 18 dedicated pickleball courts, plus more than 50 shared tennis/pickleball courts. Residents who previously had been playing tennis at East Norbeck can find 19 tennis courts just five minutes away at Olney Manor Recreational Park.

“East Norbeck Local Park is the perfect location for our newest pickleball destination hub,” said Chuck Kines, park planner for Montgomery Parks. “There is ample parking, and the courts already have excellent lighting. The demand for pickleball continues to grow and the project at East Norbeck is one of several we have recently completed or have in the works.”

Other recent and upcoming pickleball-related improvements include:

• Sundown Local Park, Ednor Local Park, Meadowood Local Park— Upgraded lighting.
• Columbia Local Park— Four new dedicated pickleball courts and one new tennis court with pickleball striping.
• Owens Local Park— Pickleball striping added to two tennis courts.
• Meadowbrook Local Park— All four tennis courts renovated, two with pickleball striping plus, upgraded lighting. Estimated completion spring 2025.
• Rubini Athletic Complex, Wheaton Regional Park— Converting two tennis courts into six dedicated pickleball courts and upgraded lighting. Also includes renovation/ improvement of parking lots. Estimated completion spring 2026.
• Greenwood Local Park— Three new dedicated pickleball courts are planned during park renovation. Estimated completion fall 2025.

To learn more about pickleball in Montgomery County, visit the Montgomery Parks webpage.

Montgomery Parks November Special Events Will Include Acoustics and Ales, the Annual Urban Wood Sale and the Opening of Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens

Fall is in full mode, with afternoons of shorter daylight and chilly temperatures. However, Montgomery Parks has an exciting lineup of events and activities to brighten November including the opening of the Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, the return of Acoustics and Ales and the annual Urban Wood Sale.

The November schedule of special events will include:

• Urban Wood Sale. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 9‒10. 8 a.m.-noon (while supplies last). Green Farm Maintenance Facility, 8301 Turkey Thicket Drive, Gaithersburg. The annual sale will feature kiln-dried, planed, and air-dried cedar, pine, poplar, ash, beech, cherry, oak and more. Slabs available in different sizes, thicknesses and prices. Credit card only. No advance sales. All sales benefit Montgomery Parks’ recycling programs. Free.
• Wheaton Ice Kid’s Club. Thursday, Nov. 14. 9:30 –11 a.m. Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Ave., Wheaton. Club meets the second Thursday of each month. Children will have supervised skating instruction for an hour followed by story, crafts and games. No skating experience necessary. Ages 3–6. Registration required. $15 per child (includes skate rental).
• Junior Gardeners. Fridays, Nov. 15 and 22. 1:30 –2:30 p.m. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. It is ok to play in the mud at this seasonal gardening program. Activities include stories, crafts and garden walks. Ages 3–5. Registration required. $7 per person.
• Brookside Gardens Vendor Showcase. Sunday, Nov. 17. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Planning a wedding? Join the Brookside Gardens Fall Wedding Vendor Showcase to taste food samples, speak with caterers, photographers, planners, musicians and other wedding professionals. Get a tour of the gardens and preview the We Speak Weddings Workshop. Enter the door prize raffle including a free rental at Brookside Gardens. Registration required. Free.
• Garden of Lights. Nov. 22‒Jan. 5. (closed Nov. 25-28, Dec. 24-25, and Jan. 1) | 5‒9 p.m. nightly. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Brookside Gardens’ perennial favorite seasonal light display is back. The dazzling one-half mile, walk-through outdoor exhibit features more than a million twinkling lights formed into tunnels, flowers, animals and other natural elements. This year’s exhibit includes a new lighted archway choregraphed to music, as well as lighted jumping pads. Hot chocolate and light snacks will be sold at the event, in addition to unique seasonal items in the gift shop. Tickets required for ages 5 and older; children under 5 are free but must register. $10 per person.

Programs for 55+:

• 55+ Nature Book Club – Book Review. Tuesday, Nov. 19. 6–7:30 p.m. Sligo-Dennis Avenue Local Park, 10200 Sligo Creek Parkway, Silver Spring. Registration required. Free.

Montgomery Parks is a co-sponsor of the following events:

• H20 Summit. Saturday, Nov. 9. Agricultural History Farm Park, 18400 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood.

Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Visit the Fall 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide

Annual ‘Garden of Lights’ Display at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton Advance Tickets Now on Sale

Advance tickets are now on sale for the annual Montgomery Parks’ “Garden of Lights,” a breathtaking outdoor winter light display at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton. This year’s exhibit will feature more than 1.5 million twinkling LED lights.

The exhibit will open on Friday, Nov. 22. Brookside Gardens is located at 1800 Glenallan Ave. in Wheaton. The half-mile pathway for the walking tour is transformed into a glowing winter wonderland. Guests can warm up with hot chocolate and grab a snack or a holiday gift at the gift shop.

Tickets are $10 per person (ages 5 and older). Children under 5 are free, but must register. To purchase tickets online, visit Garden of Lights and click on the link for tickets.

The Garden of Lights exhibit features dazzling light displays showcasing flowers, animals and nature-inspired scenes. This year’s exhibit will include a new lighted archway that is choreographed to music and lighted jumping pads.

The magical experience runs nightly through Jan. 5. It will be closed Nov. 25-28, Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1. The display is open from 5-9 p.m.

For a sneak peek of the display, check preview video and photo album from last year.

‘Halloween Eye Spy Trains’ Tickets on Sale for Cabin John and Wheaton Regional Parks

Weekends in October will get spookier at Montgomery Parks with the return of Halloween Eye Spy Trains at Cabin John and Wheaton regional parks. Tickets for the eerie annual event are on sale now. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase onsite, but ride times will not be guaranteed.

Riders will receive an “Eye Spy” card depicting Halloween-themed items such as pumpkins, ghosts and black cats to look for along the tracks during the ride. This is a fun activity for all ages.

The Eye Spy Trains operate from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays during October.

The trains can be found at the following locations:

• Cabin John Miniature Train. 7410 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda. $6 per person. Ages 2 and younger ride free with a paying adult. Purchase tickets in advance.
• Wheaton Miniature Train and Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel. 2002 Shorefield Road, Wheaton. $8 per person. Ages 2 and younger ride free with a paying adult. Purchase tickets in advance.