Bethesda in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Caroline Freeland
Remarkable Montgomery: Untold Stories
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Montgomery Extraordinario: Historias sin contrar
Pioneering planner Caroline Freeland championed urban parks—like this one!
In 1963, Caroline Freeland (1918-2007) was appointed to the Montgomery County Planning Board, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). A college-educated planner and civic-minded Bethesda resident, Freeland was the first woman to serve in the board's 35-year history. She was also the first female chair of M-NCPPC and remained in both roles until 1971. Freeland influenced life in the county through the board's decisions about land use. During her tenure, at least 15 master plans passed and public open space more than doubled to 16,000 acres. That expansion included this urban park. Freeland championed such parks to ensure city residents had access to nature.
"For Beauty and Good Use"
In 1983 the Planning Board unanimously approved changing this park's name from Edgemoor to Caroline Freeland Urban Park. This honor was fitting as Freeland advocated to include this park's development in the 1970 Bethesda-Chevy Chase Master Plan. during the dedication ceremony, the park was deemed "a monument to [Freeland's] concern for beauty and good use of land for those who live and work here, now and in the future." The park was renovated in 2024 and remains "an attractive oasis."
En 1963, Caroline Freeland (1918-2007) fue nombrada a la Junta de Planificación del Condado de Montgomery, parte de la Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, M-NCPPC. Planificadora con estudios universitarios y residente de Bethesda con conciencia cívica, Freeland fue la primera mujer, en los 35 anos de historia de la junta, que formo parte de la junta. También fue la primera mujer presidenta de la M-NCPPC y permanenció en ambos cargos hasta 1971. Freeland influyó la vida del condado a través de las decisiones de la junta sobre el uso del terreno. Durante su mandato, se aprobaron al menos 15 planes maestros y lose espacios públicos abiertos se duplicaron hasta que alcanzaron 16,000 acres. Esa expansión incluyó este parque urbano. Freeland defendió la creación de parques como este para garantizar que los residentes de la ciudad tuvieran acceso a la naturaleza.
"Por belleza y buen uso"
En 1983, la Junta de Planificación aprobó por unanimidad cambiar el nombre del parque de Edgemoor a Caroline Freeland Urban Park. Este honor era muy apropiado, ya que Freeland luchó por incluir el desarrollo de este parque en el plan maestro de Bethesda-Chevy Chase de 1970. Durante la ceremonia de inauguración, el parque fue considerado "un monumento a la dedicatción [de Freeland] por la belleza y el buen uso de la tierra para quienes viven y trabajan aquí, ahora y en el futuro". El parque fue renovado en 2024 y sigue siendo "un oasis atractivo".
Caroline Freeland with Parks Director Jack Hewitt (right) and U.S. House Representative Gilbert Gude (left), ca. 1967-1971.
Erected by Montgomery
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Women. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Montgomery Parks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 23, 1983.
Location. 38° 58.933′ N, 77° 5.919′ W. Marker is in Bethesda, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It is at the intersection of Arlington Road and Elm Street, on the left when traveling north on Arlington Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7200 Arlington Rd, Bethesda MD 20814, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: We Drivers! (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Georgetown Branch Railroad (approx. 0.2 miles away); We Are Still Here / Seguimos aquí
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 21, 2026
2. Caroline Freeland Marker at the entrance to the park
Other markers no longer nearby. The First Building for the Bethesda Fire Department (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Looking North up Wisconsin Avenue at Old Georgetown Road in 1940 (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed); The Bank of Bethesda Building (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been confirmed missing); Old Georgetown Road (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 24 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
