Residents and groups press Montgomery County to boost parks, turf fields and recreation funding

A broad coalition of public commenters asked the Montgomery County Council to restore or increase Park and Recreation funding in the FY27 operating budget, framing the request as an equity and health investment.

Speakers from small towns and countywide groups stressed a mix of capital and operating needs. Jim Brown (Fair Access Committee, Poolsville) urged funding for high‑school pools, a turf field and a donated parcel for a community center; he told the council the town had pledged land appraised at over $1 million for construction. Tom, co‑chair of the Montgomery Sports Advisory Committee, and other sports advocates said turf stadium fields increase playability and equitable access for girls’, JV and community sports programs and called the county’s 6.3% parks request essential to maintain services.

Other witnesses — including community‑based nonprofits and Friends of Sligo Creek — highlighted deferred maintenance, invasive‑plant management and tree‑care shortfalls if parks receive only the executive’s 4.1% operating increase. Speakers argued that failure to fund maintenance would increase long‑term costs and degrade public access to trails, playgrounds and athletic fields.

Parks funding was linked repeatedly to transportation access, public‑health benefits and youth programming. Testimony also connected investments in bikeshare, mountain‑bike parks and after‑school transportation supports to broader goals of access and inclusion. The council did not take an immediate vote and left final funding decisions for its budget deliberations.