Montgomery Parks wants private donors to help pay for athletic field upgrades across the county, including lighting, synthetic turf and batting cages.

A draft policy posted Sept. 4 would create a formal process for individuals and groups to donate money or land for field improvements. The agency opened a public survey on Wednesday, Sept. 9, and will accept responses through Friday, Oct. 9.

The Montgomery County Planning Board will review the final policy after the comment period closes.

Miti Figueredo, director of Montgomery Parks, said the agency faces budget pressure as demand for field time grows. "By creating a clear path for private donations, this policy can help offset funding pressures and advance improvements that expand field capacity without relying solely on public resources," Figueredo said in the Sept. 9 announcement.

The policy lists field lighting, batting cages, practice walls, dugouts and year-round turf fields among the amenities donors could fund. Montgomery Parks manages 417 parks and more than 37,000 acres of parkland countywide.

No dollar figures were released.

The proposal arrives as Montgomery County continues to debate the merits of natural grass versus synthetic turf on school athletic fields. Bethesda Magazine reported in August that Montgomery County Public Schools is adding more artificial turf fields, a move that has drawn both support and opposition from parents and athletes.

The survey is open at engage.montgomeryparks.org through Friday, Oct. 9.