Matthew Henson State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matthew Henson State Park |
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Boardwalk section of Matthew Henson Trail
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 Matthew Henson State Park
Location in Maryland
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| Location | Montgomery County, Maryland, United States |
| Nearest town | Aspen Hill, Maryland |
| Area | 100 acres (40 ha) |
| Established | 1989 |
| Administrator | Montgomery County Department of Parks |
| Website | Matthew Henson Trail |
Matthew Henson State Park is a cool greenway park in Montgomery County, Maryland. It's a long, narrow park that follows along a stream called Turkey Branch. This stream flows into Rock Creek. The park is managed by Montgomery County.
The park is named after Matthew Henson, a famous explorer from Maryland. He was one of the first people to reach the North Pole!
The Matthew Henson Trail is a super popular part of the park. It's a wide, paved path perfect for hiking and biking. The trail is about 4.5 miles long. It starts near Aspen Hill and goes all the way to Alderton Road near Layhill. Part of the trail is a wooden boardwalk. This boardwalk helps protect sensitive natural areas.
Park History and Trail Creation
How the Park Began
The land for Matthew Henson State Park was bought by the state back in the 1950s. It was first called the Rockville Facility. The plan was to use this land for a big road project.
But local residents wanted to protect the beautiful stream valley. They asked the state to save the land. In 1989, their efforts paid off! The state decided to make 83 acres a state park. Another 117 acres became a county park.
Building the Matthew Henson Trail
Planning for the Matthew Henson Trail started in 2001. Many public meetings were held. Environmental studies were also done to make sure the trail would be safe for nature. The plan for the trail was approved in 2003.
Money for the trail project was set aside in 2006. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation paid for the design and building. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) managed the whole project.
The trail officially opened on May 9, 2009. It cost about $5.7 million to build. The trail connects to the Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail. It also has special features like ten-foot-wide boardwalks. These boardwalks help protect the most delicate parts of the park. There are even solar-powered emergency phones along the trail for safety!
The trail's design was so good that it was nominated for a special award in 2010. This award was part of the National Trails Awards.
