Wheaton in Silver Spring in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Regional Parks
Balancing Recreation with Conservation
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 26, 2017
Wheaton Regional Park was established in 1961, making it Montgomery County's first park. It remains one of the finest parks in the County today. Visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational and educational opportunities within its 536 acres. Take a ride on the train, go horseback riding, have a picnic, go fishing, ice skate or play ball. Relax and tour the botanical gardens and conservatory, attend a nature program, or traverse the trails and discover the park's beauty.
Many of our facilities accommodate people with disabilities. The miniature train and adventure playground are designed with unique equipment to assist those with mobility challenges. Brookside Nature Center, Brookside Gardens, picnic areas, and restrooms are also accessible, M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks is committed to offering programs, facilities and services for people of all ages and abilities, and is working to improve accessibility to even more parks, facilities and programs.
In regional parks, amenities like these make up only 1/3 of the land base. The other 2/3 of the park is set aside for conservation and stewardship of natural areas, which offer opportunities for hiking, biking, photography and nature study. These natural areas also help reduce air and water pollution, providing a higher quality of life for all County residents.
How many regional parks have you visited in Montgomery County?
1. Little Bennett Regional Park - our largest park contains a variety of habitats, a diversity of birds, wildflowers, butterflies, a campground, hiking trails and more...
2. Black Hill Regional Park - contains Little Seneca Lake, boating, fishing, birdwatching, hiking trails and more...
3. Cabin John Regional Park - contains Cabin John stream, upland forest, Locust Grove Nature Center, hiking trails, a group campground and more...
4. Rock Creek Regional Park - contains Lake Frank and Lake Needwood, boating, fishing, birdwatching, Meadowside Nature Center and more...
5. Wheaton Regional Park - contains rich upland forest, Pine Lake, Brookside Nature Center, Brookside Gardens, hiking trails and more...
As of 2012, there were five regional parks spread throughout Montgomery County. Regional parks are large parks containing a wide range of regional opportunities and facilities for residents to enjoy. Amenities within regional parks may include lighted, tournament quality athletic fields, outdoor tennis courts, indoor ice rinks, miniature trains, ponds or lakes (some with boating, and fishing), playgrounds, large picnic areas, trails, nature centers and more.
Fun Fact
In the heart of suburbia,
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 26, 2017
Erected by Montgomery Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1961.
Location. 39° 3.303′ N, 77° 2.525′ W. Marker is in Silver Spring, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It is in Wheaton. Marker can be reached from Shorefield Court north of Shorefield Road, on the left when traveling north. The marker stands on the grounds of Wheaton Regional Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12198 Shorefield Ct, Silver Spring MD 20902, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Shorefield (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel at Wheaton Regional Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Suggestions for Walking the Labyrinth (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Bridge to Understanding (approx. ¼ mile away); DC Area Sniper Victims Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gude Garden (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fragrance Garden (approx. 0.4 miles away); Azalea Garden (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Silver Spring.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 26, 2017
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 244 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.