Sports Fields – Montgomery Parks

Sports field

Reservations and Permits

Organized sports teams must be licensed by Montgomery Parks. Permits are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are required for the use of any recreational/regional land. For local fields, permits are not required, but recommended, as unauthorized users must surrender the field to permit holders.

Sports field reservation requests are available through online registration through ActiveMontgomery or by emailing parkpermits@montgomeryparks.org. The first to reserve a Sports Field Permit will be the first to be awarded the Sports Field Permit. Access to the sports field with a maximum of 50 people or less is permitted, however, unauthorized users must surrender the sports field to the designated sports field permit holders.

Sports Field Fees and Permit Application Process and Timeline

Sports field fees are approved annually by the Planning Board. Click here for a full list of permit fees.

For more information on the sports field application process and timeline, please contact the Permit Office at 301-495-2525. REMARK: Prior to each season, Montgomery Parks will submit a field permit application package to the representative of each designated league organization. League permit applications for the spring/summer season will be sent out in mid-December and the fall season will be sent out in late May.

Rules, Regulations and Field Use Policy

Field Use Policy

A new sports field permit policy (pdf, 261 KB) was approved by the Planning Board on February 21, 2013. This new policy outlines guidelines for the use of the park’s sports fields.

Rules and regulations

All license holders must follow M-NCPPC Rules and Regulations, contract rules and regulationsas good as specific Guidelines and Terms of Use as indicated on the installation permit.

Park Sports Field Closures

REMARK: All local park sports fields are closed for play from December 1 to March 14 to allow for rest and seasonal maintenance. All recreation/state park sports fields are closed for play from December 1 to March 31 and August 16 to August 31 for rest and seasonal maintenance. The artificial turf pitches are open year round with only seasonal closures during holidays.

Sports Field Renovation and Closure List

Always remember that playing on a pitch in any of the conditions listed below can damage the pitch and render it unplayable, for everyone, for the rest of the season. All play on any sports field in the park is prohibited when: Please contact Park Permits at 301-495-2525 for information regarding athletic field renovations and closures.

• The ground is closed for renovation or repair
• The water is standing on the ground
• A half inch or more of rain has fallen in the past 24 hours
• The ground is frozen
• The floor is wet and “spongy”
• The ground is muddy and the earth clumps or clings to shoes
• Steady rain falls
• A lightning/electric storm occurs
• Terrain is deemed unplayable by park staff or park police

Weather Policy

If you are unsure if a field is closed, please call the ball field rain number first: 301-579-5610.

Rain count records are updated at 3:00 p.m. on weekdays and 7:00 a.m. on weekends. Each record applies to all parks listed under that number. You can also check the rain line web page

For decisions regarding sports field use, refer to the appropriate rain number on the field listing or call Park Permits at 301-495-2525, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For decisions about sports programs offered by the Montgomery County Department of Recreation, call their update line at 240-777-6889.