RedGate Park & Arboretum, Into Perpetuity
I am very proud of my vote on November 17, 2025, to accept a grant for $1.5 million with the terms including designating RedGate Park & Arboretum as green space now and in the future. Below is a press release from myself, Mayor Ashton, and Councilmember Jackson, and to the right a short video tour I did of RedGate Park & Arboretum.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Joint Statement from Mayor Monique Ashton and Councilmembers Barry Jackson and Marissa Valeri:
Rockville Protects RedGate Park and Arboretum For Future Generations
ROCKVILLE, MD – Nov. 18, 2025, The Mayor and Council voted unanimously Monday night to accept a $1.5 million grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Land and Water Conservation Fund to support redevelopment of RedGate Park and Arboretum.
The City released a statement to the press touting the favorable vote and the grant monies going to Redgate. The three of us voted “Yes” for another reason we wish to make clear.
By accepting this grant, the City of Rockville also agreed RedGate Park and Arboretum will largely remain as an outdoor park and recreation area into perpetuity. This means that future generations will grow up, have children, and enjoy the green space unchanged throughout the years without fighting to keep the space from being encroached upon.
We are ecstatic that the City has taken this course. We believe that preserving some of the limited green space in Rockville is exceedingly important, and we needed to act when presented with an opportunity to set this apart from the normal politics of a growing City.
To take this green space and put it aside in perpetuity was an opportunity we could not pass up. It was a vote for all residents to be able to enjoy Redgate Park as it is - presently and in the future.
We are honored to represent a city that cherishes green spaces and recognizes the numerous advantages of outdoor areas, particularly their positive impact on our physical and mental well-being. Recent votes by Mayor and Council have shown that we can balance the preservation of trees and meadows alongside building the additional housing that is so desperately needed. In fact, on Monday evening, the Mayor and Council also voted unanimously to approve a project plan application to permit construction of a 147-unit multifamily building for affordable housing in Town Center.
RedGate Park was identified by the City as a priority for use as parkland upon its closing as a golf course. The 130-acre site is located at the intersection of Norbeck and Avery roads. Frequented by bird-watchers, walkers and cross-country teams, the park also includes a dog park and has been used to host various city events.
The funding will support design, grading, excavation, utilities installation, pathway construction, a playground, meadow restoration, community gardens, picnic tables, signage and trash cans at the park and its arboretum. The RedGate project was one of 15 statewide to receive funding in this round. Projects were selected for their ability to improve access to green space and outdoor opportunities, particularly in underserved communities. We believe RedGate Park and Arboretum will do all of this and more.
For more information on Rockville’s 67 parks, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/parks.
See RedGate’s master plan at www.rockvillemd.gov/projects/redgate-park-and-arboretum-master-plan.
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