On March 30, 2023, Montgomery Parks held a community meeting to unveil the revised design concept for the future Lyttonsville Neighborhood Park, featuring a Bridge Memorial constructed from the girders of the historic Talbot Avenue Bridge (1918–2019). The bridge served as a connection between the once racially segregated communities of Lyttonsville and North Woodside. Last fall, local civic groups, including the North Woodside Citizens Association, sent a letter to Montgomery Parks advocating to incorporate the girders in a way that re-creates a sense of the bridge. For more information about the future park, including many more images of the design concept, visit the park’s website.
The Traffic Committee has been working with Oscar Yen, a traffic operations engineer at the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), to review traffic-control and pedestrian-safety measures in North Woodside. Following is an update on the issues we’ve discussed and their status:
Glen Ross, 3rd, Warren, and Lanier: To improve visibility in the intersection, MCDOT is working on the bump out at the corner of Glen Ross and 3rd. Neighbors in adjacent homes have been contacted, and the plan has been approved.
Columbia: a. To fix the stop sign at the exit of the public parking lot, MCDOT sent an email to Montgomery County Parking Department, which maintains the parking lot. b. A new stop sign was installed at Rookwood.
Intersection of Luzerne and Columbia: The committee suggested adding a crosswalk given the church, day care center, school bus stop, and traffic volume. But MCDOT determined that additional traffic control is not necessary because adequate sight lines allow pedestrians to see approaching vehicles and sufficient gaps in traffic allow crossing safely at this location. Nor will MCDOT install a crosswalk, but a work order has been sent to the shop to relocate the “No Parking/Permit Parking” sign to increase the sight line.
Neighbors: If you can photograph overparking and/or pedestrians unable to cross safely at Luzerne and Columbia, you may help us focus MCDOT’s attention on this problem.*
2nd and Luzerne pedestrian-safety issues, according to MCDOT: a. All the crosswalk striping work orders were sent to the shop and forwarded to the pavement contractor. b. Visibility of the stop signs is adequate. c. Oscar had not been made aware of previous lighting concerns, but he will check to see if the streetlight at this intersection has been upgraded to LED.
2001 Glen Ross: A work order has been sent to the shop to remove the “No Thru Trucks Over 10,000 G.V.W.R.” sign. (G.V.W.R. = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
Grace Church: MCDOT will not install a 25-mph speed limit sign because it would stand too close to the 15-mph advisory sign for the speed humps. (Note: Hanover has a 25-mph speed limit sign that was installed in error, but it will not be removed.)
Stratton traffic circle: MCDOT states that a work order will be created to add yield signs along all approaches to the circle. In addition, Oscar will check the parking and no-parking zones within the circle; no parking should be allowed within the circle or 35 feet approaching it. Existing signs designate permit parking and time-of-day parking restrictions.
Additional Stratton issues, according to MCDOT: A study can be conducted to see if speed humps are warranted. Oscar will request a 48-hour speed/volume assessment. Another measure to handle cut-through traffic is access restrictions, which will also apply to residents.
a. Bump outs and chicanes are not feasible on this street because it is narrow and vehicles park on both sides.d b. MCDOT does not install “Children at Play” or “Traffic Calming Zone” signs. c. Oscar will check both ends of Stratton for speed limit signs. If absent, they can be added. d. 2nd at Stratton: MCDOT cannot install pedestrian signs (indicating pedestrian activity) for vehicles turning right from 2nd onto Stratton. Such signs are installed only at an unprotected crosswalk on the same roadway; here the crosswalk is on Stratton—not 2nd. Oscar noted that traffic law requires motorists to stop for pedestrians once they are already standing in a crosswalk; pedestrians waiting on the curb do not have the right-of-way.
How many gnomes can you find around the neighborhood? And how many decorative birds? Bonus challenge: How many different species of live birds can you spot or hear?
A reminder that I continue to offer free bike tune-ups and repairs. This includes a wash, degreasing components, lubrication, mechanical and safety check, air, and adjustments to brakes, derailleurs and other parts of the bike. Folks only pay for the purchase cost of new parts, if needed. Email me at manvera@yahoo.com.
Manuel Vera in his bike workshop. Credit: Stroll Magazine
My Free Bikes Project is still going strong, with more than 420 bikes in the hands of new owners since 2020. If there are any bikes in the neighborhood that are outgrown or no longer used, I will refurbish them and pass them on to those who may not be able to buy one. Recently, I’ve been working with the International Rescue Committee and Homes Not Borders to give bikes to Afghan and African refugees settling in the community. Also needed are helmets, locks, and pumps. Neighbors can contact me at manvera@yahoo.com if they would like to donate these items.
You can read an article about the project that ran in Stroll magazine, a publication for residents in the community of Chevy Chase Village.
Most people zip past the intersection of Glen Ross Rd. and 2nd Ave., but there’s good reason to slow down and take notice of some interesting objects at the house on the northwest corner. Nancy Hope, who lives here with her husband, Ben, and their three daughters, grew up in that house.
On the lawn you’ll see farm implements, including a traditional plow, a horse-drawn corn planter, a fertilizer plow, a seeder, and a well pump, as well as wagon wheels and a windmill. (More about the latter below.) Nancy’s grandfather used them on the family farm in Pound, Virginia. Her dad, Grover Helton, brought them from the farm in the late 1970s after his father passed away.
During World War II, Grover served as an army medic. After moving to Silver Spring, he worked at Carriage Hill Nursing Home (now Regency Care of Silver Spring) on 2nd Ave. His wife, Charlotte, was also a nurse there, and they bought the house on Glen Ross to live close to their work.
Sadly, as is often the experience of immigrants and people considered “others,” Nancy’s family encountered hostility from neighbors who did not like the farm implements. They made unkind comments and left notes that “hillbillies should go back to the hills.” Had those neighbors gotten to know the Heltons, they would have discovered that Grover was a jazz-loving decorated WWII veteran. Although deeply hurt, the Helton family grew emboldened.
Nancy’s mother kept the notes as a reminder of the family’s “no-BS attitude:” Stand up for yourself, and remember that no one can tell you who you are—or what you can do. In defiance, her father added the windmill and wagon wheels as borders for flower beds.
Over the years, Ben has restored the farm implements, which he carefully and continually maintains. More than unique lawn décor, they represent a piece of family history that Nancy, Ben, and their children appreciate to this day.
On June 15th, Kellie Cox of Strawberry Fields, LLC presented her Landscape Design Master Plan for the “Community Tree Triangle” located at the intersection of Glen Ross and Luzerne. The virtual walk-through of the design was followed by a Q&A session.
Missed the presentation? No worries! You can watch a recording of the presentation* or scroll through the presentation slides below. After viewing, you are invited to send any questions or comments about the project to the Community Design Committee’s Chair, Cheryl Copeland, or the NWCA Board.
Please note that the committee would really love to connect with a neighbor with grant-writing experience for the next phase of the project. If that’s you or you can suggest someone, please contact Cheryl at the link above.
North Woodside resident Jay Thirunarayanapuram passed away unexpectedly on June 20th, 2023.
Jay was only 15, but he packed so much into his short life and touched so many hearts. He was quirky, funny, smart and charming, and he loved to make people laugh.
Please join his parents, Vaishali and Desikan, to celebrate Jay’s life and view some of the amazing art he created at the Silver Spring United Methodist Church (8900 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910) on Saturday, July 8, at 11:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to two local nonprofits that mentor teenagers: Mentor MD/DC and DC Dream Center.
NORTH WOODSIDE’S ANNUAL COMMUNITY YARD SALE HAPPENS THIS WEEKEND!
Over 18 households have yard sales this weekend in North Woodside.
When: Saturday, June 10th 9am – 1pm Sunday, June 11th 9am – 1pm
Where: North Woodside neighborhood is west of the intersection of 16th St & Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. Start anywhere in the neighborhood and check them all out.
What: We will have over 17 separate yard sales and free sales happening at the same time! Sellers have kids toys, books, baby items, American Girl dolls and items, clothing & accessories, household items and more. Even lemonade stands!
Please join us for the North Woodside Citizens Association annual meeting!
When: Wednesday, May 24, 2023 Where:Grace Episcopal Church (1607 Grace Church Rd., Silver Spring)
Pizza will be served starting at 6:30 and the meeting will begin at 7:00pm. Our new County Councilmember Kate Stewart will talk about her work on the council and answer questions. We will hear what the Board and committees have done this past year, review the NWCA budget, and vote on new Board members. Representatives from our committees and interest groups will be available to meet in breakout groups to let you know about their activities and give neighbors a chance to meet and get involved.
Please RSVP for the meeting so we will know how much pizza to order and how many families plan to use the onsite childcare.
Welcome to North Woodside 