Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1958-01-16
Huge Park, 2 Lakes
Near Rockville Urged
Rock Greek
Play Areas
Are Backed
U. S. Financing
Would Be Used
In Big Project
By Marge Flynn
Staff Reporter

Development of a 500 to
800 acre park along Rock
Creek and creation of two
recreational lakes as part Of
a flood control project for
the up-county area were pro-
posed last week by the Mary
land-National Capital Park &
Planning Commission.
The project, which would be
located just east of Rockville be-
tween the Rockville Norbeck
Road and Maryland Route lis,
won the hearty Endorsement of
two members of the Montgomery
County Planning Board.
Lets make this a crash pro.
gram" said Commissioner David
Soul, who proposed large lake
as arecreation benefit to the en-.
tire county.
Lets get this started" urged
Commissioner Don Gingery, after
Edward Davis, state director OF
the Soil Conservation Service,
outlined to the planners accom-
plishments to date and future
steps necessary for development
OF the Rock Creek watershed con.
troll project. ~
Davis explained that federal
funds would provide the total
cost OF a dam structure with a
10 acre lake for flood control.
Cost of any development beyond
flood control would have to be
borne by the planning commits
sion or county council, he said.
Davis recommended a minimum
Of two dams for flood control.
The proposed project has been
under study for the past year by
the Rock Greek Watershed Asso-
citation, County Council and Plan
ming Commission.
The Soil Conservation Service
has made an earlier survey of the
watershed area but topography
and contour studies must be made
from the aerial photography al
ready completed.
Davis told the planners the
flood control phase would require
so to so acres as a flood pool
which would fill only in heavy
flood years, and a 10-acre per-
manent lake at the dam site.
Proposed site for the flood con-
troll and park development is out
side the metropolitan district but
within the regional district. The
metropolitan district Is a 100
square mile area in Montgomery
County in which a park tax is
collected for the park system. The
regional district is the planning
area which includes all Of Mont
gomery County except some in
corporated towns.
This has broad possibilities"
declared Arthur X. StelIhorn,
engineer, who predicted
the planners could "get the upper
Rock Creek watershed for half
Of the cost paid for Cabin John
Asked to submit recommended
tons on the project, Stellhorn
and John Hewitt, director of
parks, were both prepared to
urge the commission to authorize
topography and contour studies
at another meeting this week.
I'VE need the typographical
study to determine how much
land and which land should be
acquired for development as park
area" Hewitt explained.
Stellhon, predicting that in
Iensive development Of the area
IS likely, favors the commission
undertaking a master plan OF the
,ntire watershed similar to land
use plans for the Cabin John
valley.
Cost of the topography study
was estimated at $1,000 to $4,000
which might be made available
by transfer of funds in the cur
rent budget. Funds for acquisi-
ton of park land would have to
be provided in future budgets.