Culture and Recreation, Mayor and Council, Rockville Reports

Mayor and Council Adopt King Farm Farmstead Master Plan

A plan for a revitalized King Farm Farmstead approved by Rockville’s Mayor and Council on Dec. 8 envisions the historic property as a hub for community life.

The King Farm Farmstead Master Plan represents a forward-looking vision that blends history and heritage with adaptive reuse and community benefit.

“We unanimously approved the King Farm Farmstead Master Plan following an extensive community engagement process — because investing in expanded youth recreation, senior services, child care and a welcoming community gathering space ensures our historic farmstead will help foster a vibrant, inclusive hub for all,” the Mayor and Council said in a joint statement. “We will also continue to nurture and maintain the community garden while telling the story of the land’s past and cultivating a healthier, interconnected future for Rockville.”

The plan calls for improved accessibility and new and enhanced connections between the historic landmark in King Farm Farmstead Park and the surrounding neighborhood. It envisions multipurpose halls for performances, markets and larger gatherings; flexible rooms for arts, technology and wellness; and specialized spaces for a teaching kitchen, makerspaces and child care.

The plan also aims to preserve the site’s history. Additions and modifications will be carefully designed to respect the original character of the buildings while providing the infrastructure necessary for modern use. The community garden and its historic corridor will be preserved and integrated into the overall site. The Mayor and Council also directed staff to develop programming and interpretative signage to educate visitors about the farmstead’s history, including its past ownership and contributions to agriculture in the region.

The plan is the product of sustained public dialogue, technical study and careful design. During an Oct. 20 work session, the Mayor and Council directed staff to revise the plan by removing newly proposed parking lots and a proposed addition connecting the farmstead’s two dairy barns, to revise cost estimates and to provide an economic analysis and plan for phasing project implementation.

Find the plan and video of the Mayor and Council vote with the Dec. 8 meeting listing at rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter.

Visit engagerockville.com/kingfarm for more information.