Green Streets are roadway Low Impact Development (LID) designs that
reduce and filter rainfall and pollutants that wash off surface areas (stormwater runoff), and enter our streams, degrading the water quality of our local streams and rivers. The County originally proposed forty new LID installations throughout the Forest Estates neighborhood for enhanced stormwater management. As of April 2012, the County has installed 24 of these facilities. As the design was refined, the number of proposed facilities changed. This was due mainly to utilities, street trees, and considerations regarding maintenance, safety, and constructability issues.
The Green Streets LID features will provide environmental benefits, improve property aesthetics where reasonably possible, and provide community education opportunities. This brochure (PDF, 1 Mb) provides more information about the about the County’s Green Streets initiative and the Forest Estates project. Installations include:
bioretention gardens
bioswales
rain gardens
The Forest Estates project area has been identified as a Targeted RainScapes Neighborhood, which means that the residents have the option to install rain gardens, rain barrels, and other stormwater control features on their property, and have costs covered by the County.
Design Plans
It takes some time to update all the documents and materials as we make design changes. Please check back regularly for updates over the next several weeks, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Landscaping Plan (April 2011)
Forest Estates Landscaping Plan(not final) (PDF, 5.8 MB) Proposed plants are subject to change due to plant availability. Approved substitutions may occur.
Click the button to start the slideshow. To view descriptions of the photos, start the slideshow and enter fullscreen mode by clicking the button. Then click the "Show Info" link at the upper right corner of the screen.
Public meetings have been planned to ensure that the project is directly informed by and reflects your community's values and priorities. During these meetings the public will have an opportunity to engage with Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection staff members and learn more about how to contribute water quality improvements.
Initial Public Meeting
Location: Sligo Middle School 1401 Dennis Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (Map) Date: March 16, 2011 Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Meeting Announcement Flyer (PDF, 215 KB)
Meeting Presentations and Summaries
The following powerpoint presentations were provided at the March 16th public meeting.
County staff and consultants met residents for a project walk and discussed proposed designs. It was a rainy day, so everyone got a chance to see where the water goes in the neighborhood. Approximately 30 Forest Estates residents and family members showed up to learn about the project and provide input. The County has revised the project plans in response to public comments during and after this field walk.
Photos of the April 16th Field Walk are available in our Photo Gallery.
The following printed materials were used for demonstration and explanation during the walk, but were limited by the rain:
Join DEP staff for a walking tour of completed Green Streets features on June 16th, from 10:00 am to noon. This community walk is also part of a larger RainScapes tour of LID facilties in the Anacostia and Rock Creek watersheds.
Location: Meet at Inwood Avenue Bridge, Inwood Ave & Woodman Ave Forest Glen, MD 20902 (Map Below)
Date: June 16, 2012
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (North of bridge: 10:00-11:00; South of bridge: 11:00-12:00) Meeting Announcement Flyer (PDF, 845 Kb)
button to start the slideshow. To view descriptions of the photos, start the slideshow and enter fullscreen mode by clicking the 
button. Then click the "Show Info" link at the upper right corner of the screen.
