Design Ideas For New Downtown Bethesda Park Requested In Survey

BETHESDA, MD — Montgomery Parks is seeking ideas for a new urban park in downtown Bethesda that will be built as part of the repurposing of two parking lots next to the historic Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market.

When completed, Bethesda Market Park and the adjacent Elm Street Urban Park will provide approximately four acres of urban green space in downtown Bethesda, according to Montgomery Parks.

Residents can share their thoughts on the design of the new park by visiting the project website and taking a survey. "Your comments will help inform the design of the park, which will be posted for further input and review later this spring," Montgomery Parks said.

The creation of the new park in downtown Bethesda was included in the Bethesda Downtown Sector Plan, which was approved in 2017. The new park will be developed as a part of a public/private partnership.

The proposed facilities include loop walking trails, an open lawn area with stage, a dog park, game area, fitness area, and shaded seating areas. "This project will creatively repurpose two surface parking lots into a vibrant, public park," Montgomery Parks said.

Earlier this month, Montgomery Parks held two in-person, community meetings to present its initial ideas for the new park. The county is scheduled to hold a third virtual community meeting via Zoom on May 24.

A site plan for the proposed park is expected to be submitted for review and approval by the Montgomery County Planning Board by the late summer.

The survey will remain open until April 16.