Archive for August, 2009

Dog Park Update

by Damon Manetta

Photo courtesy of Karen Helfert

Photo courtesy of Karen Helfert

After the June meeting, many felt the MNCPPC had been fairly negative, citing the many obstacles to overcome before our Randolph Dog Park could be created. The primary obstacle was that much of the proposed Dog Park lies within the 100-year flood plain – where current MNCPPC rules forbid building park facilities.

However, developments over the summer have been very positive. One such development has been the discovery that some of the trees located in the non-flood plain section of Randolph Park are actually invasive species not native to Maryland, meaning that they can and should be removed. Removal of these trees will make more open land for the Dog Park.

As of this writing, a special community meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 30th, 8pm at the Viers Mill Rec Center. The purpose of this meeting will be for Park officials to present to the community a proposal for a Dog Park, details about the exact nature of their proposal are not yet available. Please check our website, where more information will be posted as it becomes available.

 

Are We Getting a New Elementary School?

by Dan Hoffman

The White Flint/North Bethesda area will be undergoing a major development and revitalization process. The changes outlined in the White Flint Sector Plan (WFSP), will bring new business, retail, entertainment, and residents into the local community. As such, the development is required to provide a new elementary school to service the increase in school-age children. The Rocking Horse Center (formerly the elementary school for RCA communities), has recently been named as the ‘recommended’ location for the new WFSP elementary school by the Montgomery County Planning Board, the arm of local government in charge of planning the development with its stakeholders (other county agencies, White Flint Developers, Local Residents, etc.).

The recent recommendation is a significant and extremely positive milestone for RCA. However, there are still a number of challenges ahead, as the recommendation needs to be approved by the Montgomery County Council before Rocking Horse Center is named as ‘the’ elementary school for the WFSP.

Continue reading »