Potomac Palisades Conservation Park
A 4.9-acre, forested park on the west side of GEH. It’s commemorative stone, which has a plaque honoring Betty Ann Krahnke, is near 5019 Wissioming Rd Bethesda, MD 20816. This park has a bedrock outcropping of Quartz and other rocks, mostly on the slope that declines west from GEH to MacArthur Blvd. This park is not developed for active recreation. One can view the Potomac River and Glen Echo from the park. Mrs. Norma Spiegel knew this wooded area as a youth, and she called it “Rat Run.” The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission administers this park. On September 16th, 2000, Former County Councilwoman Betty Ann Krahnke was honored at a dedication ceremony of the Potomac Palisades Conservation Park in Glen Echo Heights. Several GEHsters, including David Efron, attended the dedication. MC Councilmember Betty Ann Krahnke (deceased) and GEH Conservationist Norma Spiegel (deceased) were especially active in establishing the Park as part of the Potomac Valley Preservation Plan. Montgomery County bought the park from a private land owner.
During the pandemic, many of us who use the path regularly were frustrated by the overgrowth and the washed out path. Unfortunately, the county did/does not allow GEH to take on cutting back invasive plants or replacing river stones on the path due to Conservation park regulations.
For decades, the park has been a perfect setting for the Haunted Trail-- run by GEH teens-- during the Annual GEH Halloween Party.
