Northwood News ♦ October 2003

Strange Developments for North Four Corners Park Expansion

By Jim Zepp

The NFCCA has been actively following the sometimes bizarre developments concerning the facilities planning for the North Four Corners Park expansion.  This includes two site design options (Alternatives A and B) developed by the County Parks Department that incorporate combinations of athletic facilities, 10-foot wide paved paths, and planted areas; a massive proposed senior/community center and parking lot by the County Recreation Department; and a site design (Alterative C) created by NFCCA members that reflects the desires expressed by local residents.

Among the strange issues being raised is that the Rec Department’s proposed senior/community center is intended to serve the Kemp Mill community but the county officials charged with selecting a site could not find a suitable location in that area.  Along with this facility, new community centers are also being planned for Wheaton and White Oak.  No consideration is being given to the potential impact on other nearby community facilities such as the Silver Spring YMCA, Schweinhaut Senior Center, or the Boys/Girls Club on Forest Glen Road.

At this time the County Parks and County Recreation Departments intend to pursue separate and competing site planning efforts that will only be resolved when they submit two sets of designs and engineering plans to the Planning Board and County Council for the FY2007 Capital Improvements Plan.  Those bodies will then decide which site design will be funded for construction.  The NFCCA is actively involved in trying to find a reasonable and cost-effective solution for the site that will also more closely satisfy the residents’ concerns and desires for the park.

The following timeline shows the sequence of major events.

• 23 September 1985
• The Yeshiva High School purchases six acre property at 315 West University Boulevard.
• 1996
• Yeshiva High School decides to move and requests rezoning of site in order to allow 48 townhouse development.
• 18 December 1996
• Four Corners Master Plan adopted, which includes a denial of Yeshiva rezoning request and recommendation for purchasing of property for park land.
• 20 January 1998
• The Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) purchases the site for expansion of the adjacent North Four Corners Park.
• 1 July 2002
• The Parks Department authorized to begin its facilities planning effort.
• 30 January 2003
• Parks Dept. holds first public meeting to receive input from residents about issues and suggestions for the park expansion.  County Recreation Department staff indicate that this site is also being considered for a 33,000-sq.-ft. senior/community center and 190-space parking lot intended to serve the Kemp Mill community.
• 19 June 2003
• Parks Dept. holds second public hearing to obtain residents’ response to the two alternative draft facilities plans developed by its staff and consultant Grace Fielding.  County Recreation Dept. staff confirm that the site has been selected for the proposed senior/community center.
• 5 August 2003
• NFCCA facilities design alternative first exhibited for community comment at Neighborhood Night Out event.
• 13 August 2003
• Meeting with Mid-County Regional Services Director and Co. Rec Dept. staff to discuss the proposed senior/community center for site.  County staff state that nothing has reached a final decision stage.

A report on the status of the park expansion and recommendations for future actions will be presented at the October 8th meeting of the NFCCA.   ■