Dog vs. grass saga continues at Bethesda apartment tower

It's been a dog-eat-dog world for the grassy mounds that make up the green space on the promenade at the 8001 Woodmont apartment tower in Bethesda since the building opened. While many expected these grassy hills to be a park-like leisure space for adults and children, once residents started moving in, they quickly became a public restroom for neighborhood dogs, whose owners haven't always collected their canines' deposits. Along with the disgusting reality that the germs in the dog waste don't magically evaporate from the grass even if the solid material is picked up, the lush carpeted lawns became much less inviting to have your kids crawling around on, much less a spot for picnics or outdoor movie screenings.

By the fall of 2022, the building had posted signs begging people to keep their dogs off of the grassy mounds. More recently, fencing was finally put up around the mounds, giving the space a less than pleasant Little Falls Parkway Road Diet Bollards aesthetic. Now, however, all of the verdant grass has been torn out. In its place are scattered tufts of a less-luxurious grass species, and a lot of brown dirt. This has left the promenade temporarily competing with that weird spot at Westbard Square for the Roughest Public Space in Bethesda title.

For those keeping score, the dogs are currently winning.

Springfield Park under construction at Westbard Square in Bethesda (Photos)

Springfield Park is rapidly being constructed at the new Westbard Square development in Bethesda. The park is largely shaping up as a playground, though, with a variety of equipment aimed at younger children. It is located essentially where a parking lot once sat in front of the Kenwood Place condominiums, between Westbard Circle and the fence behind homes on Ridgefield Road. There was previously a bank ATM structure on this lot, and Westbard Citgo made use of many of the parking spaces over the decades. The houses on the other side of the fence were built on land that the 1982 Westbard sector plan had designated for a park.

Stage opens at Westbard Square in Bethesda (Photos)

The stage has opened to the public on The Green at Westbard Square in Bethesda. It has overhead lighting for after-dark performances. However, the stage is currently occupied by four chairs and a few small tables. The stage is expected to make its official event debut at a grand opening celebration on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM both days. Makers Market at the Square will include live music and family-friendly activities.

Construction of "The Green" continues at Westbard Square in Bethesda (Photos)

Construction of "The Green," the town square at the new Westbard Square development in Bethesda, is proceeding at a steady pace. The "Westbard Square" logo sign that faces Westbard Avenue is now lit after dark, as are the stringed bulbs above The Green. Accent lighting on the curved benches has also been activated, and the swinging benches now have overhead illumination.

Speakers have been installed
around The Green

Speakers have been installed at strategic spots around The Green, to amplify the sound of live entertainment from the stage, if not for some form of Muzak at other times. There is a search-and-find animal game targeted towards kids, or the young-at-heart. Start your hunt on the beige pavers of the pathways around The Green.

Not all animals are part of the game, however. The space is now accessible to the public - but, not so fast, Fido: Dogs are not allowed on the green's turf surface, according to new posted signage. Let's take another virtual tour of a space where you may be spending some quality time this summer:

"The green" is added to The Green at Westbard Square, plus seating (Photos)

"The Green," the public square at the new Westbard Square development in Bethesda, is actually turning that color. Turf carpeting has been laid down over much of the space, which is across Zenith Overlook from the new Giant building at 5400 Westbard Avenue. Landscaping is being installed between the sidewalk and the green. Those are the little shrubs you see in the photo below.

A variety of seating is now in place, as well. Swinging benches are a distinctive addition I haven't seen at other town squares in Montgomery County, or that often in the wider region. Along with the quarry stone accents, they are providing some unique design elements to the development. The Green is scheduled for completion in "early 2025," according to property owner Regency Centers.

"The Green" public space under construction at Westbard Square in Bethesda (Photos)

Here's a pleasant construction update from the new Westbard Square development in Bethesda: The town square public space is now under construction, before ground has even been broken for the future apartment building directly adjacent to it. Delivery of "The Green" is anticipated for "early 2025." As of Tuesday, a permanent "Westbard Square" sign, an event stage, and even stringed lighting are now in place. The stage backs up to the Westbard Avenue end of the town square, and is backed by a staggered-step wall that employs the familiar quarry stone seen in construction around Bethesda for over 100 years. It also features a canopy not shown in the earlier pre-construction renderings.

Pedestrian plaza opens between Sophia and Bainbridge Bethesda apartments (Photos)

The pedestrian plaza between the Sophia Bethesda and Bainbridge Bethesda apartment towers has opened to the public. It is technically a reopening of the public space that was first created via the Bainbridge project, but the plaza has been revamped with new features by the Sophia contractors, including a new art installation and new lighting. Lighting is still of the stringed variety, but utilizes larger, cylindrical fixtures rather than tiny bulbs. 

The plaza also provides a pedestrian cut-through between St. Elmo and Fairmont Avenues. There is still a hope that the plaza can be activated by future tenants in the ground floors of both buildings, such as the Paris Baguette Bakery Cafe that has already signed a lease at the Sophia. In its previous life at the Bainbridge, the plaza has been a well-lit but lonesome path after business hours.