Events: Great parks and urban areas can go hand in hand

To make a positive impact in the community, it’s important to do more than just read about and discuss issues online. We publish our weekly events post to tell you about opportunities to get out and act!

In January, the Montgomery County Planning Department kicked off its Winter Speaker Series with a talk about preserving farmland. The second talk is called “From Parks to Energized Open Spaces.”

On Tuesday, February 21, you can hear about the importance of preserving parkland and ensuring that it continues to meet the evolving needs of residents. The speakers are Joseph Forkin, the Vice President of Operations and Development at the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, and Rachel Newhouse, a landscape architect and planner coordinator with the Montgomery County Department of Parks. The talk will explain the latest in strategies for creating great urban parks through planning, programming, and design.

The event is in the auditorium at the the Montgomery County Planning Department's headquarters (8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD) from 6 to 7:30 pm.

Can't make it? Check out these other great events:

Tuesday, February 21: There has been no shortage of political protests in DC lately. Do you want to get involved but don't know how? Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) is holding its second training for local action for resisting the Trump administration on Tuesday at 12:15 pm at the JUFJ office (1100 H Street NW). RSVP here.

Tuesday, February 21: The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) wants to make the stretch of Florida Avenue from 1st Street to H Street/Benning Road safer, and has a plan for adding new sidewalks and bike lanes. Some argue, however, that the plan doesn't do nearly enough. Come out to a public meeting on Tuesday to hear more and weigh in. It's at 6:30 pm at the New Samaritan Baptist Church (1100 Florida Avenue NE).

Thursday, February 23: DDOT is also taking a look at New York Avenue NE to improve the street design and a yet-to-come trail for safer walking and biking. At the public meeting on Thursday, at 6 pm at 800 Florida Avenue NE in Gallaudet's Student Academic Center, DDOT will present its ideas and take comment.

Thursday, February 23: Another name for walking and biking is “active transportation.” Think you know a lot about the subject? Head over to Denizens Brewery in Silver Spring (1115 East-West Highway) on Thursday to take part in the American Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals' Active Transportation Trivia Night. Doors are at 6 and trivia starts at 6:30 pm.

Next Tuesday, February 28: As DC is updating its Comprehensive Plan, we should be thinking about making the city a more sustainable place. Head over to this month's Tuesdays at APA to learn about a few tools for incorporating sustainability into the Comp Plan and how communities can set and achieve sustainability goals and gain recognition for those achievements. The event is next Tuesday at 5:30 pm at 1030 15th Street NW.

Next Friday, March 3: Many cities are encouraging less car use, finding that walkable, transit-friendly communities are good for the economy. Next Thursday, hear more about this topic from Peter Newman at a talk about his book, “The End of Automobile Dependence” at George Washington University at 1957 E Street NW at 5:30 pm.