SHA Traffic Study Nears Completion
In late May, the state is expected to present the findings of its recent, “nearly completed” traffic study to the public including the groups who requested the study. Those interested parties included the city of Gaithersburg, the Quince Orchard Park Homeowners’ Association and MedImmune Corporation.
According to Ollie Mumpower, Gaithersburg’s assistant director of public works, the state has presented preliminary findings to the city.
David Buck, press liaison for the Maryland State Highway Administration, said, “We are wrapping up the study and looking for a date for a community meeting in about two weeks.”
He said the study was prompted chiefly by a recent incident in which a pedestrian was struck in the crosswalk by a car, which went around a vehicle that had already stopped for the pedestrian. “It was driver error,” he said.
Buck said that during the study, state engineers examined the history of the intersection, sight distance in the intersection, the proximity of schools, numbers of pedestrians using the crosswalks, and the amount of traffic through the intersection on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
— Karen O’Keefe
Quince Trace Townhomes
Construction is underway at Quince Trace, a new townhome community off of Darnestown Road adjacent to Kentlands. Two home designs will be offered in the 45-lot neighborhood, being developed by Pulte Homes, with base prices starting at $559,990. Amenities will include a tot lot and four seating areas.
A model home will open Oct. 1, and the first homes will be ready for move-in that same month.
Children living in Quince Trace will attend Rachel Carson Elementary School, Lakelands Park Middle School and Quince Orchard High School.
For more details, contact Patrice Hutchinson, 240.994.0547.
Summer Sports Clinics
Registration is open for Gaithersburg Sports Summer Clinics, featuring gymnastics, tennis and volleyball for ages 5 to 18.
Gymnastics clinics will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for two weeks starting June 19. Clinics are open to new and continuing students ages 5 to 7 and 8 to 14.
Tennis clinics will meet throughout the summer starting the week of June 18 for youth ages 7 to 11. A variety of sessions, consisting of eight two-hour classes, will be offered.
A variety of volleyball clinics will be held throughout the summer for different grade groups. One-week clinics will be held for grades 6 to 8 starting July 9 and grades 4 to 6 starting Aug. 6. A four-day clinic will be held for grades 9 to 12 starting July 30.
Register online and view complete program details at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/sports, fax your registration to 301.948.8364, or visit the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue. For questions please call 301.258.6350.
Recognizing Fallen Soldiers
The city of Gaithersburg will hold a Memorial Day Observance on May 30 at 11 a.m. at Christman Park. Join the mayor, members of the City Council, city staff and guests in a tribute to Gaithersburg’s sons and daughters who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Brigadier General (Ret.) Gerald E. Galloway, a Glenn L. Martin Institute professor of engineering at the University of Maryland, will be a special guest speaker at the event. During a 38-year career in the military, he served in various command and staff assignments in Germany, Southeast Asia, and the United States. General Galloway currently serves as a consultant to several federal, state and non-governmental agencies on water resources policy development and flood risk management.
For more information, visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov.
The city of Gaithersburg encourages support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Adopt-A-Unit program, sending support and hopes for a safe return to those deployed overseas. Of particular need are powdered drink mixes, Silly String (to detect lasers in a room), cherry flavored Chapstick, men’s undershirts, boxers and briefs, flypaper, cans of salted nuts, travel size toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, shampoos and lotions, Ziploc bags, trail mixes, disposable cameras, and AA and AAA batteries. Cash and check donations are used to purchase postage and calling cards. Donations can be dropped off between 4 and 9 p.m. at the VFW John M. Carter Post #9862, 211K N. Frederick Avenue (behind the 7-11 in the Duvall Center), Gaithersburg, MD 20877, 301.948.0781. Please make checks payable to VFW Post #986.
Water Park Opens May 26
The Gaithersburg Water Park, located at Bohrer Park, opens for the season at noon on May 26 and closes on Labor Day.
The main attraction is the double-flume slide, which sends swimmers down from a 38-foot tower. The Water Park underwent major renovations during the off-season, and new features this year include the addition of two water slides, a variety of brand new play features, a complete redesign of the tot pool, and more. These Phase I renovations costs came to approximately $1.4 million. Phase II renovations will begin immediately following Labor Day; costs will be approximately $946,000.
The Water Park now offers swim lessons and water exercise classes. Visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/recxpress to register.
The Water Park operates on a pre-season schedule while school is in session. The full summer season begins June 9, with the pool opening daily at 11 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday, and at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Daily admission for city residents is $5.75. Nonresident admission is $6.75 on weekdays and $7.25 on weekends and holidays. For schedules, admission fees, money-saving season passes and more call 301.258.6445 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/waterpark.
Rockville’s Hometown Holidays
Rockville’s 24th annual Hometown Holidays celebration takes place Memorial Day weekend and will feature Easton Corbin, a rising country performer.
The Hometown Holidays festival takes place May 26 – 28 and features music, entertainment, food and crafts, and the annual Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade.
Corbin will headline Sunday’s lineup. Sons of Bill will open the evening’s concert with a country performance.
Other highlights of the event include the Taste of Rockville, a marketplace of hand crafted works for purchase and more than 40 bands and entertainers on seven stages in Rockville’s Town Center.
For more information about the weekend’s events, visit the website at www.rockvillemd.gov/hth, or find the festival on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RockvilleHometownHolidays.
Police Foundation Fundraiser
The Gaithersburg Police Foundation will hold its annual fundraising event at Dogfish Head Alehouse, located at 800 West Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg, on May 22 from 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
The nonprofit organization supports the Gaithersburg Police Department with its mission to provide quality services to the residents of Gaithersburg. The Foundation raises funds to offer educational opportunities for the Police Department staff, enhances recruitment and retention of officers, provides logistical support to officers, provides technology assistance, and helps to finance community outreach initiatives.
Dogfish Head Alehouse will be donating 15 percent of the day’s proceeds to the Foundation. For more information contact Gil Price, Foundation chairperson, at gaithersburgpf@gmail.com.