Park of the Month: North Creek Lake Park

Across Montgomery Village Avenue from North Creek community Center is North Creek Lake Park. The entire park property is 83.7 acres, including the wooded North Creek Stream Valley. The park is bounded on the south by the Dorsey’s Regard community, to the north by the Points community and to the east by Montgomery Village Avenue. Parking is located along Shadow Oak Drive; visitors may also park at North Creek Community Center and walk through the tunnel to access the paths around North Creek Lake.

This park recently got a makeover with a new playground! The playground was designed and installed by the Maryland-based company Metro Recreation, Inc. The new playground is themed to look like a ship, which will prove to be a wonderful place for imaginative play. In addition, the playground features a triple slide, climbers, a horizontal ladder, swings, and of course, no ship would be complete without a steering wheel.

In addition to the new playground, the park features a 6.5-acre lake. The lake and park are home to a variety of wildlife, including Great Blue Heron, which, in the spring, can sometimes be seen roosting on the small islands in the middle of the lake. Turtles can also be seen sunning themselves in warmer months along the water’s edge and on the islands.

Adjacent to the lake is a ¾-mile asphalt walking path, a perfect place to view the park’s wildlife. Along the path is a picnic grove, which is a great place to stop for a snack. On the opposite side of the lake residents will find a butterfly garden named for long-time MVF employee Diane Stasiewicz, originally installed by volunteers in 2017 as part of an Arbor Day celebration.

The park is a great place to spend time enjoying the calming view of the water, the natural surroundings, observing wildlife or to take an easy stroll for relaxation!