Montgomery Parks Reopens Tennis Courts, Campgrounds, Fishing

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Outdoor tennis courts, driving and archery ranges, and campgrounds reopened Thursday in Montgomery County after being closed since early April due to the coronavirus.

With more disease control measures in place and coronavirus hospitalizations trending down, Gov. Larry Hogan said the state was in position to prepare for reopening. The Republican governor lifted COVID-19 restrictions on certain outdoor facilities Wednesday, urging Marylanders to continue following guidance from public health officials.

Beginning Thursday, Montgomery Parks will start the process to reopen the following amenities and programs:

• All outdoor tennis courts (some amenities and programs need a few more days to prepare)
• Campgrounds – located at Little Bennett Regional Park and Cabin John Regional Park
• The driving range at South Germantown Recreational Park
• Archery ranges – located at South Germantown Recreational Park and Rock Creek Regional Park
• Remove restrictions from boating and fishing to allow for all recreational purposes

Playgrounds, basketball courts, and athletic fields will remain closed until further notice. All indoor park facilities are closed through May 31.

Walkers, hikers, and bikers can still use the parks and trails from sunrise to sunset.

Portions of Sligo Creek Parkway — between Beach Drive and Little Falls Parkway — are closed to vehicular traffic to accommodate the demand for more recreational space during the coronavirus pandemic. The closures are in place from Friday morning to Sunday night.

Montgomery Parks is urging visitors to continue following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Do not gather in groups of more than 10 people
• Maintain six feet of distance from others
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (if soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer)
• Wear a cloth face mask to cover your mouth and nose
• Cover coughs and sneezes