Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich to Join County Councilmembers and State Elected Officials for Celebration and Unveiling of New Outdoor Canopy at Long Branch Library on June 1

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 30, 2025

New Canopy Enhances Outdoor Space for Community Programs and Activities

Sunday, June 1, 2 p.m.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, along with County Councilmembers Kristin Mink and Evan Glass and Maryland Delegate Lorig Charkoudian (District 20), will join Montgomery County Public Libraries Director Darcell Graham and community members at a special event to celebrate the unveiling of a new outdoor canopy at Long Branch Library.

The new canopy is the result of strong community advocacy and collaborative leadership. During the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 library refresh process, residents identified the need for more functional and welcoming outdoor spaces. In December 2022, community organizations, including Community Health and Empowerment through Education and Research (CHEER), MHP, Action in Montgomery and school liaisons from nearby schools, advocated for enhancements to the library’s plaza.

Del. Charkoudian and the D-20 team secured $500,000 in state bond funding for the project and the County contributed additional money to support construction, which was overseen by the County’s Department of General Services. The pre-engineered fabric shade structure, supported by five steel poles with cables, creates a shaded, accessible outdoor area for library programming, studying and community gatherings.

The event will highlight the collaboration between residents, advocacy organizations and government officials that brought this project to life.

WHAT:   Celebration and official unveiling of the new outdoor canopy at Long Branch Library

WHEN:   Sunday, June 1, 2 p.m.

WHERE: Long Branch Library, 8800 Garland Ave., Silver Spring

WHO: 

• Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich
• Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink (District 5 and Chair, Council Education and Culture Committee)  
• Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass (At-Large)
• Montgomery County Public Libraries Director Darcell Graham
• Annie Tulkin, Resident and Advocate
• Kate Scaife Diaz, Long Branch Library Advisory Committee
• Venessa Pinto, Program Director, CHEER

***Speakers will be available for interviews following the ceremony***

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Media Contact: Jennifer Garfinkel 240-962-1506