MoCo Parks To Discuss Upgrades To Capital Crescent Trail In Bethesda

BETHESDA, MD — Montgomery Parks is holding two meetings to hear from the public about proposed improvements to the Capital Crescent Trail in Bethesda.

The meetings will give the public an opportunity to share ideas for renovations to the 3.5-mile portion of the trail in Montgomery County from downtown Bethesda south to the District of Columbia line.

The meetings, one in-person and one online, will be listening sessions where Montgomery Parks staff describe the intent of the project and then collect ideas and information from the public about the future trail renovation. The content of both meetings will be the same.

“These listening sessions are just the beginning of this project,” Montgomery Parks Trails Planner Kyle Lukacs said in a statement. “They are a great opportunity for the thousands of people who use this portion of the trail every year to weigh in with their preferences for the trail design. Once we hear from them, we will develop concepts and go back for more input.”

The Capital Crescent Trail 2.0 project will reimagine the trail by evaluating features such as width, signage, access, trail connectivity, and amenities. Parks planners will consider public input and best practices in trail design to produce a long-term vision for the trail.

The Capital Crescent Trail follows an abandoned railroad right of way and extends 11 miles from Georgetown to Silver Spring. About 3.5 miles of the trail in Montgomery County are managed by Montgomery Parks. It is the most popular and heavily used paved trail in Montgomery County with 650,000 users each year.

The portion of the trail between downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring is currently closed and detoured due to the construction of the Purple Line light rail system. That portion of the trail is managed by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation. It is expected to reopen in 2027.

Here's information about the two upcoming meetings:

Listening Session #1

• Thursday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Somerset Elementary School, All Purpose Room
• 5811 Warwick Place, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Listening Session #2

• Wednesday, Nov. 8, noon to 1:30 p.m.
• Online: Zoom link: mocoparks.org/CCTZoom

Registration for the meetings is optional but encouraged, so attendees can be updated on future developments in the project. Participants can register by filling out the Capital Crescent Trail 2.0 Listening Session form.