Montgomery Parks has opened an online survey that invites residents to share their thoughts on how the county’s Black baseball and softball heritage should be remembered within the park system. The effort is part of the Untold Stories project, which aims to surface histories that have long been overlooked in the county’s green spaces.
A hidden chapter of county parks
In the early 1900s, Black families across Montgomery County organized kinship‑based baseball and softball teams that played on fields that would later become part of the regional park network. Those games were often accompanied by picnics, music and dancing, turning each match into a vibrant community gathering that helped forge lasting social bonds.
Elena Guarinello, cultural resources planner for Montgomery Parks, stresses that preserving these narratives is essential for future generations to understand the social fabric that once revolved around weekend games. She notes that Major League Baseball excluded Black players until 1947, which spurred the rise of local teams that drew large crowds and served as vital community anchors.
Gathering voices for the future
The survey asks participants about their familiarity with this history and solicits ideas on the most appropriate ways to honor it — whether through plaques, interpretive trails, or dedicated facilities. Responses will be accepted through June 30, after which the parks department plans to integrate public feedback into its upcoming preservation roadmap.
Residents are encouraged to complete the questionnaire online, helping shape how the county honors a legacy that helped define its communal identity and contributed to the broader story of American sport.