Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Recreation is to provide high quality, diverse, and accessible programs, services, and facilities that enhance the quality of life for all ages, cultures, and abilities.

Budget Overview

The total approved FY24 Operating Budget for the Department of Recreation is $59,709,661, an increase of $4,511,854 or 8.17 percent from the FY23 Approved Budget of $55,197,807. Personnel Costs comprise 60.72 percent of the budget for 189 full-time position(s) and no part-time position(s), and a total of 591.77 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 39.28 percent of the FY24 budget.

The Debt Service for the Recreation Fund is appropriated in the Debt Service Fund and is, therefore, not displayed in this section. To pay for the Debt Service, a transfer of funds from the Recreation fund to the Debt Service Fund of $10,653,890 is required to cover General Obligation Bond costs.

In addition, this department's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) requires Current Revenue funding.

County Priority Outcomes

While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following are emphasized:

• Thriving Youth and Families
• A Greener County

Program Performance Measures

Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable), with multi-program measures displayed at the front of this section and program-specific measures shown with the relevant program. The FY23 estimates reflect funding based on the FY23 approved budget. The FY24 and FY25 figures are performance targets based on the FY24 approved budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY25.

Initiatives

• Increase Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary (EEBE) services and expand existing out of school time programming with the addition of two new sites: Harriet Tubman and Watkins Mills Elementary School.

• Expansion of TeenWorks youth development program, which provides job readiness training and skill building workshops.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Starting January 3, 2023, Montgomery County Recreation fitness passes are free for Montgomery County residents. Free passes provide access to fully equipped fitness rooms, open gym (drop-in) activities, and game rooms at any recreation center during regularly scheduled hours.

• Continue implementation of REC ZIP, an improvement strategy designed to digitize and automate several business processes allowing internal and external customers to interact virtually with Recreation's administrative team without delay. Customer refunds, contractor and vendor invoices, and bank deposits are examples of improvements which allowed for seamless continuation of financial services throughout the pandemic.
• Enhance and expand outreach efforts through the weekly Recreation newsletter to provide information about program and services, as well as health and wellness information.
• Continued implementation of the new, fully integrated recreation and parks management software solution in partnership with Community Use of Public Facilities and Montgomery Parks. This new platform is designed to increase efficiency and productivity while providing extensive reporting and statistical data and a more intuitive and interactive experience for customers.

Program Descriptions

  Aquatics

The Aquatics programs provide recreational, fitness, instructional, competitive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative water activities that serve all residents. The broad ranges of programming include lessons, instructional wellness classes, and competitive programming such as dive and swim teams. Facilities also host a wide variety of local, regional, and national events and...

  Countywide Programs

Countywide Programs offers essential and universally accessible recreation and leisure services to all residents across the region--an indicator of a healthy, affordable, and welcoming community. Program staff generates partnerships with local small businesses and non-profit organizations to activate key public and private spaces and to offer culturally responsive programs,...

  Recreation Community & Neighborhood Centers

The Department of Recreation has 23 recreation centers throughout the County. These facilities provide affordable programs featuring leisure activities, social interaction, family participation, and community civic involvement, as well as promote community cohesion and identity for all ages. Centers are designed to support sports, fitness, dance, community/social activities,...

  Senior Adult Programs

The Senior Programs Team offers a wide range of supports, opportunities, programs, services, and facilities, which are designed to enhance the quality of life and help community members 55 and over remain active, engaged, and independent in their communities. Lifestyle and leisure program offerings such as fitness & wellness,...

  Youth Development

The Youth Development team uses recreation to ensure young people are healthy, connected, and productive during out-of-school time. Program staff work to change the landscape of communities by tackling pressing and diverse issues, reducing barriers to participation, and improving equitable access to high quality out-of-school time opportunities which improve...

  Administration

The Administration Program provides oversight, leadership, management, and supervision to accomplish the Department's mission. The Administration Program includes the Department's senior management, the Director's Office and staff, as well as business and information technology services, communications and outreach, facility planning, asset replacement, and fixed-cost management.The Business Services and Information Technology...