Maryland DNR to stage prescribed fire at Rachel Carson Conservation Park in Brookeville

Here's something you don't hear about that often in Montgomery County: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, in conjunction with the Montgomery Parks department, is planning to stage a "prescribed fire" at Rachel Carson Conservation Park at 22201 Zion Road in Brookeville. It will take place on a day sometime between now and April 2023. The fire is being planned to assist in restoration of a meadow in the park, and to maintain biological diversity.

Weather and other factors will play into the final selection of a calendar date, which will be announced prior to the fire. Montgomery Parks says to expect to see visible smoke rising from the park, and that the controlled burn will last about three hours. "The prescribed fire will be executed under strict requirements set forth in a Forest Service-approved prescribed burn plan,” Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks, said in a statement. “We will make sure the public is aware of the fire and take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of park patrons, staff, wildlife and habitats.” 

This apparently isn't something that happens frequently in Montgomery County. The Rachel Carson fire is the only one currently listed on the Parks department's Prescribed Fire Program page.

Longwood Community Recreation Center to close for ADA upgrades

Longwood Community Recreation Center at 19300 Georgia Avenue in Brookeville will temporarily close so that the facility can be updated to better comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The center will close Monday, August 9, 2021. It is expected to reopen in winter 2022. 

Montgomery County is recommending the community utilize the Bauer Drive and Ross Boddy recreation centers during the closure. The Longwood project will include floor elevations, upgraded bathroom access, and mill work compliance, among other remediations.

MoCo to pay $26,400 annual rent for Brookeville communications tower

Montgomery County is preparing to enter into a five-year lease of property at 4301 Brookeville Road in Brookeville for the purpose of erecting a new public safety radio system communications tower and related equipment. According to a County document, the County will pay $26,400 in annual rent to the property's owner, The Jane C. Nash Trust.

The tower is part of a public safety communications system upgrade that the County Council has recklessly put off for over a decade. Several of the towers, especially those proposed for Potomac and Olney, have encountered strong objections from residents, in particular because the Council's 11th hour 180 to finally fund the upgrade left little time for a full public process and discussion.

Tower renderings via Montgomery County Government