Wheaton Regional Park

A public display botanical garden, Brookside Gardens, popular as a location for wedding couple photography, which utilizes an online reservation system for that purpose, is located on a portion of the park, having expanded over time from its initial footprint of in 1969. The gardens are known in the Washington metropolitan area for its seasonal Winter Garden of Lights show, garden railway exhibit, and Wings of Fancy live butterfly exhibit, along with its two perennial conservatories which house and cultivate tropical species. ==Park facilities==

The park is delineated into three named areas based upon the particular area's proximity to one of Wheaton Regional's three main entrances: the Shorefield Area for the Shorefield Road entrance, the Glenallan Area for the Glenallan Avenue entrance, and the Orebaugh Area for the Orebaugh Avenue entrance. Brookside Gardens is located in the Glenallan Area. • F. Frank Rubini Athletic Complex (Orebaugh Area) • Wheaton Sports Pavilion (Orebaugh Area) • Brookside Nature Center (Glenallan Area) ::Naturalist-led educational offerings ::Local natural history exhibits • Pine Lake (Shorefield area) ::Fishing permitted • Wheaton Indoor Tennis Facility (Orebaugh Area) • Wheaton Ice Arena (Orebaugh Area) ::Ice skating and instruction ::Ice hockey • Wheaton Miniature Train (Shorefield area) ::Purchase of tickets required for train rides • Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel (Shorefield area) ::On loan to Wheaton Regional Park; its ultimate home is Ovid Hazen Wells Recreational Park ::Purchase of tickets necessary for carousel rides • Wheaton Riding Stables (Glenallan Area) ::Escorted and guided trail rides ::Novice through advanced lessons in an indoor riding arena or outdoor facility ::Children's summer camps ::Boarding of horses • Wheaton Regional Park Picnic Areas (Shorefield area) ::Eight picnic shelters, reservation and permit required; each one accommodates up to 40 people. ::Grills, picnic tables, and other picnic related amenities available on a first-come, first-served basis • Wheaton Regional Park Trails (Shorefield area) • Adventure Playground (Shorefield area) • Montgomery Dog Park (Orebaugh Area) ==Park history==

The park includes the Harper Family Log House, as part of its Brookside Nature Center. This 1½ story log cabin, historically known as the Richard Thomas Harper House, was built in the 1870s, in Poolesville, Maryland, located in western Montgomery County. The musical carousel has 33 jumping horses, three zebras, and two chariots. The Wheaton Miniature Train is a replica of 1863 C. P. Huntington engine and passenger cars; it takes passengers on a short tour of the park. The train and carousel operate weekends only in April and September and daily from May through August. ==References==