The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a Bi-County Agency established by the State of Maryland in 1927 to prepare comprehensive land use and transportation plans as well as acquire, develop, maintain and operate a park system for Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. M-NCPPC is governed by a ten-member commission consisting of two five-member Planning Boards. The Planning Boards are appointed by and represent their respective counties.The Montgomery County Planning Board oversees 37,200 acres of parkland and 421 parks and open space areas. Most of the County's park acreage is found in large Countywide (non-local) parks that...

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AGENCY DESCRIPTION

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a Bi-County Agency established by the State of Maryland in 1927 to prepare comprehensive land use and transportation plans as well as acquire, develop, maintain and operate a park system for Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. M-NCPPC is governed by a ten-member commission consisting of two five-member Planning Boards. The Planning Boards are appointed by and represent their respective counties.

The Montgomery County Planning Board oversees 37,200 acres of parkland and 421 parks and open space areas. Most of the County's park acreage is found in large Countywide (non-local) parks that serve all County residents. These include: regional, recreational, special, urban, stream valley, and conservation area parks. Residents can also enjoy many community-use (local) parks that are closer to home. These include urban, neighborhood, local, and neighborhood conservation area parks. For information purposes, an outline of the Parks Classification System contained in the Master Plan for Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS) is provided at the end of this chapter.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

The M-NCPPC FY27-32 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) request includes one new project, Parkway Improvement, which focuses on rehabilitation and renovation of existing park roadways to improve safety, accessibility, and the overall user experience. In addition, the request includes 34 ongoing projects with planned expenditures over the six-year period.

The M-NCPPC Affordability Reconciliation Project (P871747) adjusts total M-NCPPC expenditures and funding to conform to the County Executive's recommended funding levels, which are affordable within the CIP.

The section following this narrative only shows the project description forms (PDFs) for which the Executive recommends changes to the Montgomery County Planning Board's FY27-32 request. All recommended and approved PDFs can be found at https://apps.montgomerycountymd.gov/BASISCAPITAL/Common/Index.aspx.

PROGRAM CONTACTS

Contact Ronald Peele of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission at 301-495-2573 or Abdul Rauf of the Office of Management and Budget at 240-777-2766 for more information regarding M-NCPPC's capital budget.

CAPITAL PROGRAM REVIEW

M-NCPPC Request

The Montgomery County Planning Board's capital program for M-NCPPC totals $294.0 million, a $20 million, or 6.4 percent decrease, over the previously approved budget of $314 million. This request had a strong focus on stewardship and support of the existing park system and core infrastructure, as well as a desire to respond to the needs of the County's diverse and growing population. Maintenance and renovation work includes school field renovations, Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades, stormwater improvements, park refresher projects and lifecycle replacements. Funding was also requested to support the new Parkway Improvements project, as well as initiatives aligned with the County's Climate Action Plan, including additional projects focused on implementing solar energy solutions. The request also reflects reduced contributions to Small Grants/Donor-Assisted projects and a decline in Program Open Space (POS) funding, driven by lower transfer tax revenue from real estate transactions.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Allocates $2.5 million to support the new Parkway Improvements project to support maintenance of Park roads, with resources shifted form the Resurfacing Park Roads and Bridge Improvements project in the Department of Transportation.
• Expands initiatives that align with the County's Climate Action Plan, including solar energy implementation.
• Funds the construction and renovation of hard surface trails, enhancing community connectivity, trail amenities, and signage.
• Supports ongoing maintenance of the park system and addresses life-cycle infrastructure needs.

County Executive Recommendation

The recommended M-NCPPC budget is $280.7 million, a $33.2 million, or 10.6 percent decrease from the previously approved budget. Some of this decrease is related to reduced contributions to Small Grants/Donor-Assisted projects and a decline in Program Open Space (POS) funding, driven by lower transfer tax revenue from real estate transactions.

The County Executive recommends a decrease in G.O. Bonds of $6.4 million from the M-NCPPC's request. These reductions were necessary due to challenging conditions such as significant shortfalls in key funding sources, and substantial cost increases across all departments and agencies. Current Revenue adjustments reflect a decision to defer cash-funded recommendations until the March operating budget.

The County Executive's recommendation complies with the Spending Affordability Guidelines (SAG) for M-NCPPC Bonds to remain within SAG limits. The County Council voted to increase the SAG for M-NCPPC Bonds from $8 million per year to $9 million per year, reflecting a $1 million annual increase and $54 million over the six-year period.

PROGRAM EXPENDITURES

The M-NCPPC's capital program contains two categories of projects: acquisition and development. Acquisition projects allow M-NCPPC to acquire parkland to provide active and passive recreation opportunities, enhance the quality of life for residents, and accommodate conservation and preservation needs. Development projects allow M-NCPPC to manage and maintain the park system through planning, design, and construction activities. Within these categories, the M-NCPPC has two types of projects: level of effort projects, which represent maintenance costs that will continue indefinitely, and stand alone projects, which pertain to a specific parks and project.

PROGRAM FUNDING

The M-NCPPC's capital program utilizes a variety of funding sources:

• Bonds: General Obligation (GO.) Bonds are the primary funding source for Countywide (non-local) parks and M-NCPPC Bonds are used to fund Community Use (local) parks (See Parks Classification System below).
• Program Open Space (POS) are State funds which can be used for 100 percent of acquisition costs and up to 75 percent of development costs. Development projects using POS require matching local funds.
• Current Revenues are used to support parkland and facility improvements which are not eligible for debt financing including: planning or improvements where the useful life of equipment or facilities does not equal or exceed the terms of the bonds. Current Revenue: General funds Countywide (Non-local) parks and Current Revenue: M-NCPPC funds community Use (Local) parks (See Parks Classification System below).
• Enterprise Revenues support the operation of M-NCPPC's self-supporting enterprise fund facilities (tennis courts, skating rinks, train rides, and carousels).
• Long Term Financing: refers to State loan funds, which were first programmed as a funding source in the FY19-24 funding CIP with the assumption that Water Quality Protection Fund (WQPF) revenues will be used to pay the debt service.

• Other funds include State Aid, Revolving Funds, Water Quality Protection Funds, Intergovernmental Funds, Bethesda Park Impact Payments, Contributions, and Federal Aid.

PARK CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

Countywide (non-local) Parks serve all residents of Montgomery County and include:

• Regional Parks: Parks of 200+ acres that generally contain a stream valley, picnic/playgrounds, and interpretive or other natural areas, and provide a wide variety of recreational opportunities such as trails, tennis courts, athletic fields, golf courses, and campgrounds.
• Recreational Parks: Parks larger than 50 acres in size which are more intensively developed than Regional Parks and may contain athletic fields, tennis and multi-use courts, picnic/playground areas, a golf course, water oriented recreation areas, trails, and natural areas.
• Special Parks: Parks which include areas with unique features of historical or cultural significance. Varying in type, they may include agricultural centers, gardens, small conference centers or historic sites.
• Urban Parks: Parks which are located in high-density, transit-oriented development areas.
• Stream Valley Parks: Interconnected parks along major stream valleys providing picnic and playground areas, hiker-biker and bridle trails, athletic fields, and conservation and recreation areas.
• Conservation Area Parks: Large parks that place primary emphasis on preservation of areas of significant natural value and provide opportunities for compatible passive recreation activities.

Community-Use (Local) Parks serve residents of surrounding communities and include:

• Urban Parks: Parks which are located in Central Business Districts or other highly urban areas.
• Neighborhood Parks: Small parks, providing informal recreation in residential areas with play equipment, play fields, sitting areas, shelters, and tennis courts.
• Local Parks: Parks that provide athletic fields and programmed and general recreation facilities such as play equipment, tennis and multi-use courts, sitting/picnic areas, shelters, and other recreational facilities.
• Neighborhood Conservation Areas: Small parcels of conservation-oriented parkland in residential areas, generally dedicated at the time of subdivision.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The Capital Improvements Program (CIP), operating budget, and capital budget for the M-NCPPC are coordinated with the fiscal and capital program requirements of the Montgomery County Charter. The M-NCPPC is required to submit a CIP request to the County Executive and County Council by November 1 of each odd numbered year. This CIP is reviewed by the County Executive and included with the County Executive's recommendations in the recommended CIP that is submitted to County Council by January 15. After public hearings, the County Council reviews and approves the capital program with such modifications as it deems appropriate. The approved program becomes final upon 30 days written notice to the Commission.

In connection with the approval of the M-NCPPC operating budget, the County Council also approves a capital budget which reflects approved expenditures for the first year of the approved CIP. The M-NCPPC may not undertake any project which is not contained in the first year of the approved CIP. The M-NCPPC capital budget and CIP are conceptually distinct. The six-year CIP contains the proposed construction and funding schedules for previously approved and newly proposed projects and is subject to County Council modifications. The capital budget provides the appropriation necessary to implement the construction schedule.

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