State Board Approves $2.3 Million for Montgomery Parks

The Board of Public Works appropriated more than $2.3 million to Montgomery County on Wednesday for parks projects.

The largest appropriation went to Dewey Local Park in Silver Spring. The Josiah Henson Park also received state funding.

The BPW — which consists of Gov. Larry Hogan, Comptroller Peter Franchot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp — approves contracts and major construction projects.

At its State House meeting Wednesday, the BPW approved $1.5 million for Dewey Local Park, which is 14.5 acres at 1720 Dewey Road, Silver Spring, inside the Veirs Mill Village neighborhood.

The Rock Creek Bike Trail runs along the entire length of the park parallel to Dewey Road. The Rock Creek Stream Valley forms the park’s western and southern property lines.

Acquired in 1951, the park includes a small playground, four tennis courts, a basketball court, multi-use rectangular field and two small paved parking lots, according to Montgomery Parks. Over the years the recreational needs of the community have changed, and four tennis courts are being used, particularly after the renovation of the courts in nearby Randolph Hills Local Park.

In addition, the aging tennis courts and basketball courts are in serious need of repair and have become very difficult to maintain, according to Montgomery Parks. The basketball court has been closed for several years.

The state funding will pay to construct improvements to the park to replace aging, outdated recreational amenities. The project also includes construction of a new dog park, outdoor gym, a street hockey/futsal court developed in partnership with the Washington Capitals, new playground, additional parking, and renovation of 1,200 linear feet of the regional Rock Creek bicycle trail. Project also includes installing storm water management features throughout park.

BPW also approved $506,000 for the Josiah Henson Park, a 1.43-acre historic property at 11420 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda. It consists of a small portion of the original Riley plantation where Henson lived and worked as a slave from 1795 to 1830.

Henson’s 1849 autobiography inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe’s landmark novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

The state funding will help develop the site into a park and museum that depicts the story of slavery, according to the BPW.

The project includes converting the historic house into a public museum, constructing a visitor orientation center, creating paths throughout the grounds, and installing exhibits and interpretive signage both inside the museum and outside throughout the park, the BPW said.

The BPW also approved more than $313,000 for renovations to Dogwood Park in Rockville. Dogwood Park with 44 acres is at 800 Monroe St. with three lighted tennis courts with pickleball lines, a forest preserve and a Walter Johnson premiere baseball field, according to the City of Rockville.

The state funding will pay for improvements at the park, including four covered dugouts, providing ADA access to two baseball fields, renovating press boxes and snack bar, replacing fencing, and installing field lighting, according to the BPW.

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