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{{Short description|Park in Rockville, Maryland}}
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[[File:Redgate Park.jpg|thumb|Redgate Park]]
'''RedgateRedGate Park'''<ref name="redgate">[https://www.redgatepark.org/ Redgate Park]</ref> is a wooded public park in suburban [[Rockville, Maryland]], which is 131 acres of natural green space situated between [[Maryland Route 2928]], theparts of [https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/rock-creek-regional-park/ Rock Creek Regional Park], and Avery Road. It is administered by the [[Montgomery CountyRockville, Maryland]] government as a public park and nature preserve. The park began as a public golf course, called RedgateRedGate Golf Course, which was designed and built in 1974. It operated until 2018, when it was converted into a public park as part of a unanimous vote to keep the land undeveloped, after a $3.2 million estimation<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kazanjian |first=Glynis |date=2019-02-20 |title=Cost of RedGate Golf Course Upgrades Estimated at $3 Million |url=http://bethesdamagazine.com/2019/02/20/upgrades-required-to-keep-redgate-golf-course-viable-estimated-to-cost-3-million/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=MoCo360 |language=en-US}}</ref> for necessary repairs compelled the management company, [[Billy Casper]] Golf, a golf course management company located in [[Reston, Virginia]], to terminate its 10-year lease three years early, opening up the possibility for redevelopment or preservation. Rockville local government hosted information and input sessions<ref>{{Cite web |title=RedGate Park |url=https://engagerockville.com/redgate-park |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Engage Rockville |language=en-US}}</ref> to determine the most suitable use of the land.
The park still retains the asphalt paths suited to golf carts, and many of the fixtures and structures that are common to a golf course, but the course itself has largely been absorbed by natural reclamation. This follows a recent trend of declining popularity for the sport of golf,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bailey |first=Richard |last2=Warner |first2=Russell |last3=Branton |first3=Justyn |last4=Carr |first4=Sam |last5=Wright |first5=Jonathan |last6=Cope |first6=Ed |date=2019-10-10 |title=Engaging Young People in Golf: a Delphi Expert Consensus Study |url=https://www.golfsciencejournal.org/article/10464-engaging-young-people-in-golf-a-delphi-expert-consensus-study |journal=International Journal of Golf Science |language=en |volume=7 |issue=2}}</ref>, and an increased desire for green space.
In March of 2020, the city of Rockville voted unanimously<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=M. C. S. |date=2022-10-12 |title=Rockville City Officials to Receive Presentation on Final Concept for Re-Imagining RedGate Park |url=https://mocoshow.com/blog/rockville-city-officials-to-receive-presentation-on-final-concept-for-re-imagining-redgate-park/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=The MoCo Show |language=en-US}}</ref> to retain the entirety of the 131-acre park as a public nature preservation area.
The park is now a habitat to 170 species of native Maryland birds, and serves as an open space with adjacent forests for these birds, which is needed for their feeding habits.
The Friends of Redgate Park organization claims that the park is now home to 166 identified bird species. Other animals frequenting the park include deer and fox.
In August of 2019, [[Cornell]]'s [[Ornithology]] designated the site as a "Birding Hotspot",<ref>{{Cite web |title=RedgateRedGate Park, Montgomery County, MD, US - eBird Hotspot |url=https://ebird.org/hotspot/L9784319 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=ebird.org |language=en}}</ref>, on their website, [[eBird]].
Filmmaker Cintia Cabib is producing a documentary entitled [https://www.birdwalkfilm.com Bird Walk] which focuses on the birds and birders at RedGate Park and on the grassroots campaign which advocated that the defunct golf course be transformed into a public park.
A city-approved master plan<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=M. C. S. |date=2022-10-12 |title=Rockville City Officials to Receive Presentation on Final Concept for Re-Imagining RedGate Park |url=https://mocoshow.com/blog/rockville-city-officials-to-receive-presentation-on-final-concept-for-re-imagining-redgate-park/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=The MoCo Show |language=en-US}}</ref> was submitted that would transform the mostly-wild green space into a developed multi-use par, with such amenities including a new visitor center, a dog park, community gardens, an amphitheater, a new parking lot, new road connections, a playground, a picnic area, and other improvements. The plan is currently expected to have a cost of between 16 and 25 million dollars. ▼
▲A city-approved master plan<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=M. C. S. |date=2022-10-12 |title=Rockville City Officials to Receive Presentation on Final Concept for Re-Imagining RedGate Park |url=https://mocoshow.com/blog/rockville-city-officials-to-receive-presentation-on-final-concept-for-re-imagining-redgate-park/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=The MoCo Show |language=en-US}}</ref> was submitted that would transform the mostly-wild green space into a developed multi-use parpark, with such amenities including a new visitor center, a dog park, community gardens, an amphitheater, a new parking lot, new road connections, a playground, a picnic area, and other improvements. The plan ishas currentlysince expectedbeen topared havedown aand costthe ofpark betweenwill 16retain andits 25passive millionrecreational dollars.use except for the community gardens.
Redgate Park is a grassland habitat, dotted with man-made water features and mature trees that were installed during its time as a golf course. The park is adjacent to the [[National Park Service]]'s [[Rock Creek Trail]] system, though there is yet no pedestrian or bicycle path connection between the two.▼
▲RedgateRedGate Park is a grassland habitat, dotted with man-made water features and mature trees that were installed during its time as a golf course. The park is adjacent to the [[National Park Service]]'s [[Rock Creek Trail]] system, though currently there is yet no pedestrian or bicycle path connection between the two.
== References ==
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[[Category:Parks in Montgomery County, Maryland]]
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