Montgomery Parks is soliciting public comments on a proposal to create a community garden on the grounds of Nolte Local Park at 200 Denver Rd.

The garden would be created at the location of the current activity building, which is scheduled to be demolished this year.

The department issued a Request for Proposals for reuse of the building in March 2018, but was unable to find a suitable tenant.

The activity building would be the only part of the park disturbed by the garden proposal, according to the department—no trees or other park features would be disturbed.

In its announcement, the department said, “There are several factors that make the site ideal for a community garden: the current building foundation can be retained and serve as the infrastructure for the garden, there is an existing water supply line, accessible parking lot and the site receives adequate full sun for 6-8 hours per day.”

The proposal includes creating raised garden beds, which would be accessible to disabled gardeners; all new community gardens are now required to be ADA-compatible, and the Nolte garden would be first in the county to conform to that requirement.

Other parts of the proposal include:

Approximately 10 to 16 garden plots

Garden plots would be 12-16 inches deep, to accommodate a variety of plants

Plot sizes would vary between 25 and 50 square feet

Plot fees would range from $25-$35 per year

Tool shed and hand tools would be provided

Deer fence would be installed.

Garden would have a combination lock and be accessible to only those in the program, and

Installation of security cameras and lighting.

Noting the high demand for community gardens in the county, the department held a community meeting on the proposal in December to get initial feedback (notes from the meeting are available here).

Additional comments and feedback on the Nolte proposal can be submitted online until 11:59 p.m. Jan. 31.

More information about the county’s community gardens program, including locations and waitlists, is available here.

Top, Nolte Park activity building, MNCPPC photo. Below, this example of a garden with raised beds (from the MNCPPC page) is Langdon Community Garden in Washington D.C.