Montgomery Parks is excited to welcome pups and their people back to the newly updated Ellsworth Dog Park in Silver Spring, which reopened on December 5, 2025. The year-long improvement project created a safer and more enjoyable experience for dogs and their humans.

Per Montgomery Parks, key upgrades include:

• Construction of a retaining wall and fence along the large dog area to level the terrain for safer play
• Restoration of the planter boxes in the large dog park
• Installation of a new shade structure in center of park
• Complete replacement of the turf-covered mounds
• New entrance on Route 29/Colesville Road with ADA-accessible walkway, new maintenance gates, and stairs.

“Ellsworth Dog Park is a beloved community space for dogs and the people who love them, but after years of use it needed some updates,” said Miti Figueredo, director of Montgomery Parks. “We’re thrilled to reopen it and welcome them back just in time for the holidays.” Ellsworth Dog Park is open daily, sunrise to sunset.

Ellsworth Dog Park occupies the southwestern corner of Ellsworth Park. The dog park consists of two separate, fully enclosed and accessible exercise areas: a small dog area (approximately 2,800 square feet) intended for dogs under 20 pounds, and a large dog area (approximately 17,000 square feet) intended for healthy, well-socialized dogs over 20 pounds. Each enclosure includes a drinking fountain, hose bib or quick coupler connection, artificial turf play mound, benches, shared shade structure, trash receptacles, and a variety of surfacing materials. The dog park is fully accessible from the sidewalk along Colesville Road, through a secure, double-gated entry system.

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If you spot a car covered in thousands of multicolored Christmas lights cruising through Olney this week, you are not imagining things. You have found 22-year-old Daniel Geller, a lifelong Olney resident who has turned his Honda Accord into one of the brightest and most joyful holiday displays in Montgomery County.

What started as a passion for car modification has become a festive tradition aimed at spreading cheer during a year Daniel says has been especially hard for many people. Beginning at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, he will be driving throughout Olney playing Christmas music and lighting up neighborhood streets. He is also taking requests from residents who want the display to pass by their homes.

Daniel says the idea grew from a mix of online inspiration and a moment shared with his father. Videos of cars wrapped in Christmas lights caught his attention, but the project truly took shape when he and his dad decided it would be their next project together. “I love working on my car with my dad,” he said. “He likes making people happy just like I do, so he inspired me to bring some joy to the community.”

He, his father, and his girlfriend spent six and a half hours installing more than 2,000 lights on the vehicle. The most challenging part was taping down each individual bulb, a task that required patience and precision. This is Daniel’s first full holiday-light display, but he has been modifying his car for two years. Earlier projects included rainbow grille lights, custom headlights and taillights, door lighting, a sporty spoiler, and engine upgrades. His interest in electronics goes back to childhood, when he used to install rainbow lights inside gaming controllers.

All of the Christmas lights run through wiring he routed into the car’s cigarette port. Despite the complexity, the setup has held strong through rain and snow. The reactions he receives on the road have made every hour of work worth it. “A man stopped me at a traffic light and told me the lights made his whole day better,” Daniel said. “That meant the world to me.”

Families often smile, wave, and take photos as he drives by. Sometimes Daniel turns the moment into something interactive. “If I see someone looking at my car, I will ask their favorite color and change the lights to match,” he said. He has also built a large online following, with more than 15 million views of his car on social media. “It is always nice when someone messages me later to say they saw me on the road and it brightened their day.”

Growing up in Olney played a major role in shaping his creativity, Daniel said. He remembers many opportunities in the community that encouraged imagination and hands-on projects. More than anything, he hopes the car brings people a moment of joy during a tough year. “I hope people feel a little extra happiness when I drive through their neighborhood,” he said. “This year has been stressful for many people. I want everyone to look forward to the holidays.”

Daniel will be playing a variety of Christmas music during his drives, including his favorite holiday song, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee. He will begin his holiday route at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, and encourages anyone who wants him to drive through their street to reach out. “I just want to do my part in making these holidays fun and enjoyable for all,” he said.