Family-friendly event transforms a parking lot in downtown Wheaton into a temporary roller-skating rink and public gathering spaces to showcase the power of placemaking
Wheaton, Md. – The Montgomery County Planning Department ’s Wheaton Placemaking Initiative and the Wheaton Urban District invite the community to Wheels in Wheaton, a free and interactive two-day event in the Wheaton Triangle showcasing how areas within urban centers can be transformed into more vibrant and entertaining public gathering spaces. A public parking lot behind The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission ’s (M-NCPPC) Wheaton headquarters will be temporarily transformed into a roller-skating rink for public use surrounded by various gathering spaces, art installations, food and beverages, and family-friendly activities and entertainment. Below is a rendering of the design concept for the space:
Wheels in Wheaton is co-hosted by Montgomery Planning, part of The M-NCPPC, and the Wheaton Urban District in partnership with Montgomery Parks and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation .
“I am really proud that this placemaking collaboration with the Wheaton Urban District and our great partners has kept the community’s priorities at the forefront,” said Montgomery Planning Director Jason K. Sartori. “We worked directly with community members through our work on the Wheaton Downtown Study to find out what could be possible to create a fun, temporary gathering space for everyone to enjoy. Wheels in Wheaton is sure to spark more great ideas for the future of the Wheaton Triangle and beyond!”
“The Wheaton Urban District team has been working collaboratively with Montgomery Planning to bring this exciting initiative to life, and we are thrilled for the Wheaton community to enjoy it,” said Luisa Cardona, Mid-County Regional Director. “This is just the beginning of what we hope will be many creative uses of public space that serve and reflect the needs of our vibrant community. We’re even more excited to feature Wheels in Wheaton as a highlight of our signature Taste of Wheaton event—so attendees can experience not only this unique activation, but also the full range of flavors, cultures, and activities that make Wheaton so special.”
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Event Details
When: Saturday, May 31 from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 1 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (as part of Taste of Wheaton on June 1)
Where: Parking Lot 13 at 11219 Grandview Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902 behind M-NCPPC Headquarters in downtown Wheaton. The community is encouraged to park in the County garage in the M-NCPPC Headquarters building. The garage can be accessed on Triangle Lane or Grandview Avenue. The cost is $1.00/hour.
Cost: Free for all ages
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Throughout the weekend, Wheels in Wheaton attendees can enjoy:
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- Roller skating – with free rentals!
- Skateboarding demonstrations and small group instruction with GOATS on Wheels
- Games
- A beer garden featuring Saints Row Brewing
- Shaded seating areas to relax or enjoy food and drinks from nearby restaurants
- Art demonstrations and activities for children
- A temporary mural for the weekend
- … and more!
Stay informed and get involved
Visit the Wheels in Wheaton event website for more information and what attendees need to know. Individuals are also encouraged to sign up for Montgomery Planning’s Wheaton e-newsletter to receive updates about the event via email.
Organizers are seeking community volunteers to help with a variety of tasks leading up to, during, and after the event. Browse our list of volunteer opportunities and sign up to pitch in . Individuals or organizations interested in partnering with Montgomery Planning for this event or potential future placemaking activations in Wheaton, please .
More about the Wheaton Placemaking Initiative
Wheels in Wheaton is the first activation of Montgomery Planning’s Wheaton Placemaking Initiative , which came about as a direct result of the department’s 2022 Wheaton Downtown Study . During community engagement for the study, community members felt strongly about preserving the small business character of the Wheaton Triangle, the creation and support of public open space, a strong sense of place, and the improvement of safety and connectivity.
Planning staff conducted a public survey, a walk-audit with community leaders, a public open house, participated at local events, and had one-on-one conversations with business owners, artists, and other community organizers. The main takeaways included:
- Community members want areas to gather, more outdoor dining options, and more local shopping opportunities.
- Most visit Wheaton to eat, shop, and attend local events, and there is a strong desire for more markets, more programming, and more entertainment for all ages.
- Safety measures and more comfortable ways to get from place to place are important to enhance the community.
- Wheaton’s unique sense of place, culture, and local business economy is important to build on, and further support and grow.
What is placemaking?
Placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine and reinvent public spaces as the heart of the community and strengthen the connection between community and the places they share. Placemaking refers to a collaborative process that shapes our public realm to maximize value. Beyond just promoting better urban design principles, placemaking facilitates creative thinking, capitalizes on community assets, and contributes to the community’s health, happiness, and well-being. More than livable; these places are loved. Put simply, placemaking incorporates community input and sentiment to make people feel good about where they live, work, or play and imagine the possibilities of their neighborhood. The goals of Montgomery Planning’s Placemaking Strategic Plan include:
For updates and link to press release, see here: https://montgomeryplanning.org/?p=62892