Changes were made to the plan to develop Greenbriar Local Park, pleasing some, but other residents still think that there should not be a park there at all.
The park is a 25-acre parcel at the intersection of Glen and Travilah roads. About 30 percent of the land (approximately eight acres) will be developed, with a soccer field, basketball court, playground area and walking loop. The remainder of the area, much of which lies in wetlands and stream buffers, will remain as open space.
The planning board purchased the park after the 1980 Potomac Master Plan called for developing it as a park, rather than seeing it be developed as houses.
“The community basically came to us to purchase it for a local park,” said Heidi Sussmann, the planner who has been charged with planning the park’s development.
The park’s purchase was completed 12 years ago and the Planning commission is now completing the plans to develop it, Sussmann said.
“This plan was recommended in 1980, and nobody objected to it,” said Callum Murray, Potomac team leader for Park and Planning.
However, some residents are wary of the changes planned. Many are concerned with the amount of traffic a soccer field will generate, and are concerned that Glen Road will not be able to handle it. “The concept is not a very well thought out concept,” said Louis Friedman.
Others present were happy with the idea of developing the park.
“There is a large deficit of recreational facilities in the area,” said Marissa Miller, president of the North Potomac Citizen’s Association.
Others point out that there is no way of accessing the park except by car, since there are no sidewalks on Glen Road. However, Glen Road is classified as a Rustic Road, which means that sidewalk construction is not permitted. “We’re not allowed to do anything to the road except have an access in and an access out,” said Steve Kelly of RBA Group, an engineering consulting firm, who is assisting Park and Planning with the development.
Access in and out is one of the requests which were made at the first meeting. Residents had asked that the parking lot be one way in order to make it easier to get in and out. Sussmann complied and added a second access point. She also mentioned that, since it will be one way, it is feasible to put the spots on an angle, thereby making the lot narrower.
Others complained because, although the park touches Travilah Road, there is no access from Travilah. However, the area next to Travilah is a wetland, and construction in wetlands is severely restricted.
The number of parking spots also increased from approximately 43 to 70. Some residents had noted that a soccer game would mean about 20 cars, and when one game is ending and another beginning, they would monopolize the spots. “I don’t think its going to be as dreadful as some people think it will be,” Sussmann said.
The changes made to the plan pleased some residents, who were happy that their voices were heard at the first meeting.
“From the West Montgomery County Citizen’s Association, we’re glad to see you being responsive to the needs of the community,” said Ginny Barnes.