Red Gate Park — Attraction in Rockville

Would be 5 stars but for trashy events and people with unruly off leash dogs. I don’t mind if people who have control of their dogs keep them off leash, but it’s very upsetting for myself and my little dogs when a massive dog comes barreling towards us at full speed! You shouting from afar “they’re friendly!” Or, as in most cases, ignoring what’s going on and letting events unfold, is super messed up and ruins the experience. Almost as much as the loud, annoying events that keep forcing their way into this safe space! Haven’t humans infected enough of the area? The wildlife here is incredible… currently a place for humans to avoid other humans as much as possible. PLEASE keep it this way… one of the few things keeping here me paying ridiculous...

This former public golf course is a rustic oasis of calm not far from the concrete commerce and noise of downtown Rockville. Paved, serpentine paths once traveled by golf carts are a bit worn and tree-root bumpy in places, but overall are just fine and lead birders, walkers and runners through a variety of landscape, including still recognizable sand pits and greens that are turning into meadows, valleys and hills, ponds, and stands of evergreen and deciduous trees. As the seasons change, so will the experience. I sure hope the city and people of Rockville will preserve this park as a respite for people...

First off, this park is not called Red Gate Park. It's Redgate (1 word) Park and Arboretum. This is a former golf course that is now a terrific place to go birding. More than 150 species have been seen in this park since 2018, including a great horned owl. The only thing I use this park for is birding and walking. It has a dog park but it seems to be seldom used and most people just take their dogs off leashes, which is illegal. So be warned - lots of dogs without leashes. That is the only drawback to this park. I love dogs but they should not be walking around...