Montgomery Parks

Hop aboard our Spring Eye Spy Trains, starting weekends in April. Experience a new way to explore Cabin John Regional Park and Wheaton Regional Park as you search for hidden characters and make lasting memories with loved ones. Purchase tickets today! https://lnkd.in/e_qxA2Se

It’s #FloraandFaunaFriday and this week we’re diving into our streams to find a Sea Lamprey! This larval Sea Lamprey, also known as an ammocoete, is looking for a good burrowing spot on the muddy stream bottom to feed. And it better get comfortable, because these creatures spend the first 4-7 years of their lives in freshwater streams! Sea Lampreys are anadromous, meaning they begin their lives in freshwater, migrate to the sea as they mature, and then return to freshwater to spawn and complete their life cycle. Sea Lamprey have unique anatomical features that differentiate them from American Eels and other bony fishes, such as their lack of jaws and paired fins, and bands of muscle called myomeres, creating a worm-like appearance. In their larval stage, Sea Lamprey also lack eyes and teeth and sport a buccal funnel used for filter feeding. However, once they are ready to migrate to the sea, they develop eyes and a disk-shaped mouth lined with rows of sharp teeth! Sea Lamprey will attach themselves to a fish using their mouth, and feed on the host’s bodily fluids by secreting an enzyme that prevents blood clotting, like a leech. This is one very important reason for migrating – it’s time to pursue bigger fish that live in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. As an adult, a single Sea Lamprey can consume upwards of 40 pounds of fish each year!

This Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting some of the incredible women at Montgomery Parks. Meet Jennifer Scully, our first female Regional Operations Manager who oversees 77 parks and their staff in Northern Montgomery County. As a leader in a male-dominated field, Jen really knows what it’s like to be one of the few women in the room and understands the importance of bringing a different perspective to help solve problems. Her advice to women and marginalized people starting their careers: “Have confidence in your abilities and know that you deserve that seat at the table.” We’re proud to honor Jen and all the remarkable women who shape our parks. Happy Women’s History Month.

Hoppy World Frog Day! We’re hopping in with some fun facts about frogs and toads that you can find in Montgomery Parks! Meet some of the ‘ribbit’-ing herps of Montgomery Parks: ??Spring Peeper: A full chorus of Spring Peepers can reach over 90 decivels, the same sound level as some power tools. ??American Bullfrog: Named for their moo-like call and their tendency to live in farm ponds, the Bullfrog can also make alarm calls that sound like a scream. ??American Toad: American Toads Advertise for a mate by making a 5-30 second call that sounds like simultaneous whistle and hum. ??Wood Frog: One of the most widespread frog species in North America, and the only frog found north of the Arctic Circle due to their ability to freeze solid and thaw when conditions are right. ??Pickerel Frog: When scared, a Pickerel Frog may puff up to appear larger, tilt forward to protect its head and release an unpalatable secretion from its skin. This secretion is toxic to other frogs when kept in close contact. ??Gray Tree Frog: They are excellent Climbers that are sometimes seen clinging to windows and the sides of buildings while hunting insects attracted by lights. Do you have a favorite? Let us know below!

We’re bringing the warm weather and plenty of ways to get involved! Check out volunteer projects throughout March and April to help bring a difference to your community: ??Eye Spy Train Volunteers: Weekends in April | Ages 16+ | FREE | Wheaton Regional Park and Cabin John Regional Park ??Weed Warriors: Saturday, March 22 | 9 to 11 am | Ages 16+ | FREE | Cloverly Local Park ??Weed Warriors: Monday March 24 | 10 am to 12 pm | Ages 14+ | FREE | Western Grove Urban Park ??Parks Clean Up: Sunday, March 30 | 10 am to 12 pm | Ages 14+ | Mill Creek Stream Valley Park Make an impact when you join us for these opportunities and more! https://lnkd.in/eFpNMaHK

We’re stepping into spring with Montgomery Parks Spring programs! From outdoor adventures to learning something new indoors, we’ve got you covered. ??Youth Nature Photography: Saturday, March 22 | 11 am to 12 pm | Ages 13-18 | $10 | Brookside Gardens ??In The Field- LGBTQIA+ Nature Hike: Saturday, March 22 | 11 am to 12 pm | All Ages | Locust Grove Nature Center ??Spring Wildflower Walk: Sunday, March 23 | 10 to 11:30 am | Ages 16+ | $7 | Locust Grove Nature Center ??School's Outside for Teens: Monday, March 31 | 9 am to 3:30 pm | Ages 11 to 14 | $45 | Brookside Gardens Looking for more? Find them in our latest newsletter: https://lnkd.in/egqvcqKc

For Women’s History Month we’re sharing women’s history in Montgomery Parks and profiles of our colleagues all month long. Today, our colleague, Corinne Stephens shares her experiences working in a male-dominated field and her advice for those who are new to their fields. Corinne is the manager of the Montgomery Parks Weed Warrior Volunteer Program. "Working in a male-dominated field, I’ve had experiences at past jobs where I felt like people didn’t hear me or they looked down on me, but I’ve learned to stand my ground and stand up for what I believe in. One piece of advice I have for women starting out in their career, is to find mentors. Someone you can trust, who you can bounce ideas off of, and who can help you strive to be better. Mentors have helped me throughout my career, especially when I was figuring out how to balance becoming a working mom, and now I hope I can become a mentor to other women." Pictured from left to right: "Three generations of strong Parks employee women" - Corinne Stephens, her mentor Lynn Vismara, and Corinne's mentee Silvia Nu?ez

Start the countdown! We’re roughly 10 days out from cherry trees hitting “Peak Bloom” in Montgomery Parks! Peak bloom looks a bit different in Montgomery Parks as opposed to the National Mall Tidal Basin. Our cherry trees are spread out across the parks system so peak bloom timing can vary from the northern to southern region. With that being said, there are still plenty of parks where you can bask in the beauty of the blooms. We've created a handy Cherry Tree map that shows the locations and types of cherry trees throughout our parks. You can also use the “find my location” feature to find the closest park to you. Check out the map and find some cherry trees near you: https://lnkd.in/ex2DvfXD Photo taken at Brookside Gardens, March 20, 2024.

We are thrilled The Butterfly Experience is featured in Bethesda Magazine | Bethesda Today. Thank you to the team for highlighting how the show comes to life. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/eAr8UpDe Come immerse yourself in a world of vibrant colors and delicate wings beginning April 10. Tickets are on sale now: https://lnkd.in/eEJZP7DB

A new park is headed to Silver Spring, and we need your help to name it! Each option has a unique story behind it and now it's your turn to vote for your favorite: ??Bottleworks Lane Urban Park: This name nods to the park's industrial roots, referencing the Coca-Cola Bottling Works plant that operated here from 1943 to 1967. Coca-Cola had nearby competition too – a second bottling plant, operated by Canada Dry had a bottling plant down the street on East-West Highway. ??Kennett Street Urban Park: Kennett Street, which runs alongside the park, was an important part of Silver Spring's "industrial corridor." By the mid-twentieth century, this section of Silver Spring was bustling with two laboratories, car lots, two hotels, and a heavy federal government presence. This was a small-scale example of Silver Spring's broader transformation into D.C.'s first major suburb through increased commercial development ??South Silver Spring Urban Park: Historically, the Southern side of Downtown Silver Spring has been split by train tracks, which the park is south of. The name South Silver Spring Urban Park connects the park geographically to the south region of Silver Spring. Vote today: https://lnkd.in/dDqq5FAt The winning name will be chosen in May 2025.