Located behind Highland Elementary School, Wheaton Claridge Park features a colorful playground, a recreation facility and a basketball court. A stream runs through the park, and there is alternate access through a wooden path off Broadview Road.
Potomac Conservancy is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting and preserving the Potomac watershed. It has several programs and policy initiatives such as a forest conservation initiative and storm water/low impact development. The group is always looking for volunteers to help with events. If you would like to help out, call the office.
This cozy and historic park features the small spring that is this community's namesake. The spring, which was discovered by newspaper publisher Francis Preston Blair more than 160-plus years ago, had the mineral mica in it which closely resembles silver. Acorn Park also sports a covered gazebo in the shape of, well, an acorn. The area is ideal for family picnics.
Covering 536 acres and including 11 miles of trails, this park is a highlight of Wheaton's outdoor resources. It has three main areas: Shorefield, Glenallan and Orebaugh. Shorefield, located at the end of Shorefield Road, features picnic areas, a miniature train and a carousel. Orebaugh is home to the Rubini Athletic Complex and the Wheaton Ice Arena, while Glenallan includes Brookside Gardens and a horse stable. The park has other facilities, such as tennis courts, and runs education programs.
Discovery Communications is a worldwide nonfiction media company with headquarters in Silver Spring. The company has many television networks and programs, including the Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet. It focuses on providing educational programming, as well as digital media services. Check its website for details on programs or services or for information on getting involved with the company.
At 33,000-square feet, White Oak Community Recreation Center is the largest recreation facility in the county.
Among the building's features are a basketball court, a fitness center, a climbing wall, special rooms for art and culinary classes and a banquet hall.
The center also features programming for people over 55. Available Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until January 2013, when it will open for an extra day on Friday, the senior program creates fitness, wellness and social opportunities.
The center opened with limited hours on May 14 and a dedication ceremony was held June 23, 2012.
For more than 80 years, the Montgomery County National Park Planning Commission has striven to improve the quality of life for areas residents through three basic tenants: the management of physical growth and planning communities; the protection and stewardship of cultural, natural and historic resources and offering leisure and recreational experiences.
The "Art-Deco" inspired building at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Spring Street houses hundreds of full-time employees and some of the thousands of volunteers who help manage the 52,000 acres of park lands, open space and recreational facilities.
Located in Wheaton Regional Park, Brookside Nature Center offers nature programs, nature activities and summer camp programs. The center is home to live reptile, amphibian and fish exhibits, trails, boardwalks, bird, butterfly and native plant gardens, insect and mammal displays and a children's nature discovery area.
At the north end of Wheaton's Regional Park is the colorful and calm Brookside Gardens, a showcase garden with trails. Photography is popular here, but only individual photographers can snap away without a permit. The conservatory offers a daily live butterfly show, usually mid April through early September, while the visitor center offers information on the gardens, as well as a gift shop.
This county-run pool is a cool way to beat the summer heat from Memorial through Labor Day. Located in the same area as Wheaton High School, the Wheaton Glenmont Pool features several pools: one main pool, one for lap swimming, one with two flume water slides and one children's pool. Deck chairs are available. This pool is a popular destination for area summer camps.
Wheaton Ice Arena is a year-round ice rink that offers open skating, figure skating, skating lessons, clinics, competitive hockey and speed skating events.
