New & Ongoing Projects

Background/Description

Albion Park is located adjacent to the Riverdale Station development between Route 1 and the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail. The 6.67-acre location is mostly wooded and contains steep slopes, with the Green Line Metro tracks running underneath the property.

The land was purchased in 2020 with the intent that the property would remain natural resource conservation land. However, there have been several inquiries regarding the future of the park.

The Department of Parks and Recreation would like to hear community members’ vision and expectations for the future of this park! Please take a moment to respond to the survey provided below:

Frequently Asked Questions

Background/Description

The Canter Creek Park project involves the development of a 25-acre parcel located within the new community of Canter Creek in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The proposed park will consist of a playground, a loop trail, play courts, a terrace with seating areas, open space, and a parking lot.  

The park will also include an 11-acre Woodland Preservation Area that will remain and serve as an enhancement to the recreational experience.

Status/Project Updates

Last updated March 2023

Currently, the project is in the Construction phase.  

A summary of completed and anticipated milestones is as follows:

• Summer 2020 – Construction Documents Process 
• September 30, 2020 – Virtual Community Meeting
• Fall 2020 – Mandatory Referral
• Early Fall 2021 – Construction Documents Completion
• Winter 2022/ Spring 2023 – Construction Bid
• March 2023 – Construction Start
• Winter 2023/Spring 2024 – Construction Completion
• Spring 2024/Summer 2024 – Permits Closeout, Park Open to Public

 Actual dates for the completion of the milestones are subject to change.

Don Herring

Senior Planner

Maryland National Parks Commission

MOBILE: 301-699-2574

EMAIL: don.herring@pgparks.com

Background/Description

The acquisition of Louise F. Cosca Regional Park (Cosca Park) began in 1963 and was known as Clinton Regional Park. Over the past six decades, additional land has been acquired, bringing the current park acreage to a total of 800. Cosca Lake and the Clearwater Nature Center were opened in 1970. Since then, other park features have been added including playgrounds, athletic fields, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, picnic areas, a campground, and a walking trail network. Most recently, a skatepark was added in 2012.

The park also includes a closed gravel quarry in its most northern section, significant woodlands throughout, and actively farmed land in its southern section. The historic Thrift Schoolhouse anchors its most southern end.

Project Description

A Master Plan Development will establish a comprehensive vision for Cosca Regional Park by developing a blueprint that balances competing demands on the park’s resources and responsibly guides development through the next 20-25 years. This process will culminate in a development plan to guide future activities, shaped by recommendations generated from an active civic engagement process, an analysis of existing site conditions, and an assessment of service deliveries, and future recreation trends.

The Department of Parks and Recreation has selected Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects (L/KLA), a nationally recognized park planning consulting firm, to work with the Department and the community to propose a path toward achieving countywide goals outlined in Formula 2040: Functional Master Plan for Parks, Recreation and Open Space, and the Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan.

Under the direction of the Park Planning and Development Division, the consultant will perform the following tasks to inform and develop a strategic framework to guide the master park development plan:

• Inventory the existing site characteristics and conditions, and assess the current and future users of the park as well as the operational capacity of the park
• Inventory the natural resources 
• Conduct a recreation program assessment 
• Conduct a comprehensive public engagement process to better understand community needs and desires
• Develop a vision for the future development of the park

Prepare a final plan document with proposed concepts, recommendations, and an implementation strategy

News and Updates

Last updated March 2022

Master Plan Update

On March 30, 2022, the Department of Parks and Recreation hosted a public meeting to update the community on the master planning process, and how it will be used to guide the future development of the park. View/download the presentation materials.

Contact Us

Don Herring

Senior Planner

Maryland National Parks Commission

MOBILE: 301-699-2574

EMAIL: don.herring@pgparks.com

Project Description

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation is replacing the Cosca Regional Park A-Side Playground in Clinton, MD. There will be new play equipment for both the 2-5 and 5-12 age groups. The project scope also includes updated site furnishings and ADA compliant walkways.

Status/Project Updates

The project is in the construction phase with a Spring 2025 completion target date.

Project Images

Google Maps Link

Contact Us

Jeff Newhouse

Landscape Architect & Project Manager

Maryland National Parks Commission

MOBILE: (301) 699-2585

EMAIL: jeff.newhouse@pgparks.com

Project Background/Description

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation seeks to add sports field irrigation to five (5) existing field sites. Each site has differing existing conditions. The Park Planning and Development Division is working with one design consultant to design and permit these projects.

The five park sites are as follows:

• Beltsville Community Center
• Fairwood Park
• Glenarden Community Center
• Landover Hills Community Center
• Sasscer Park

Status/Project Updates

Last Updated March 2022

To reduce the number of fields out of service at one time, the projects will occur in phases. Time will be allowed for one growing season for the grass to be re-established before it is reopened for use. The order the fields will be completed is as follows:

• Sasscer Park – Completed, April 2021.
• Beltsville Community Center – Construction bid preparation phase, projected completion July 2022.
• Glenarden Community Center – Design and permitting phase, projected completion in December 2022.
• Landover Hills Park – Design and permitting phase, projected completion in March 2023.
• Fairwood Park – Design and permitting phase, projected completion September 2023.

Actual dates for the completion of the milestones are subject to change.

Project Background/Description 

Good Luck Community Center is an existing community center in Service Area 3 in Lanham, Maryland. The center was constructed in 1972 and was most recently renovated in 1990. The 10,300-square-foot facility includes a gymnasium, weight room, kitchenette, and two multi-purpose rooms. Adjacent to the building is Seabrook Park, which includes two tennis courts and one baseball field, a football/multipurpose field, and a playground for ages 2-5 and 5-12 equipment. With the community center building exceeding 50 years of age, it has reached the end of its useful life, both physically and functionally.

In 2014, M-NCPPC developed Formula 2040, a functional master plan for recreation in the County. Formula 2040 noted that there is a deficit of recreation space in Service Area 3. The four (4) existing community centers do not offer enough space to service the current or projected population. The plan recommended the expansion of three facilities in Service Area 3 to close the space deficit: expand the nearby Glenn Dale Community Center into a large multigenerational center with aquatic space; add 20,000 square feet of non-aquatic recreation space to Bowie Community Center; and add 20,000 square feet of non-aquatic recreation space to Good Luck Community Center. 

A high-level feasibility study comprised of five (5) milestones was completed by consultant Brailsford & Dunlavey and Capital Planning & Development Division in April of 2022 that determined a course of action for the building and site. These five milestones and the resulting Feasibility Study Document can be viewed below

In the beginning of 2024, design efforts began for a new Good Luck Community Center in accordance with the results of the 2022 Feasibility Study.

Status/Project Updates

Last Updated June 2024

A summary of completed and anticipated project milestones is as follows:

Milestone 1: Develop Hypothesis & Define Scope of Feasibility (Completed)

• Determine the questions that the feasibility plan should answer and define the path forward

Milestone 2: Confirm Building & Site Program (Completed)

• Refine the building and site program
• Focus groups with key stakeholder groups, including but not limited to, users (seniors, teens), neighbors, elected officials, and community representatives
• Develop an outline program per major space areas based on vision and community need
• Program verification work session with key decision-makers including operating staff 
• Prospective Documentation: outline the program, memo of considerations or decisions 

Milestone 3: Conduct Test Fit of Option(s) (Completed)

• In-house architectural and engineering services to conduct high-level test fits of the site to delineate the facility footprint, adjacencies, and site utilization. Up to three (3) test fits will be conducted using the outline program and strategy. The preferred option will be progressed into a blocking and stacking diagram.

Milestone 4: Develop Implementation Plan for Preferred Option (Completed)

• The program, test fit, and blocking diagram will inform a rough order-of-magnitude budget for the preferred option

Milestone 5: Final Documentation of Feasibility Study (Completed)

• Good Luck Community Center Feasibility Study (April 2022) – PDF

Good Luck Community Center Replacement RFP and Design-Build Team Selection (Completed March 2024)

• Capital Planning & Development created a Request for Proposal Solicitation in accordance with the 2022 Feasibility Study with intent to hire a Design-Build Team to create a new Good Luck Community Center to replace the existing center.

Good Luck Community Center Program Verification (Current)

• Stakeholder engagement to verify site and building needs and space planning
• June 12, 2024 Community Presentation
• Community Survey

Schematic Design Finalization (Expected Fall 2024)

• Stakeholder engagement as high-level site and building design progresses

Design Development Finalization (Expected Winter 2024)

• Stakeholder engagement as detailed site and building design coalesces

Construction Documents Finalization (Expected Spring 2025)

• Stakeholder engagement as site and building design is finalized

Construction Mobilization (Expected Summer 2025)

• Demolition of existing community center and initiation of new community center construction

Good Luck Community Center Program Verification (Current)

• Reopening of the new Good Luck Community Center

Actual dates for the completion of the milestones are subject to change. 

Project Contact

Sylvan Miles, AIA, NCARB

Design & Construction Manager II

TEL: (301) 699-2450

EMAIL: sylvan.miles@pgparks.com

Background/Description

Horsepen Park is a new M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation park located in Bowie, MD.

This property was previously a Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) treatment facility. WSSC retains and operates a portion of the site between the parking lot and the park. Once the park is complete, it will act as a multi-functional trailhead for the Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis (WB&A) Trail and feature Prince George’s County’s first bicycle practice and training courses, which includes a beginner-level bicycle pump track, an intermediate-level pump track, a bicycle skills area, and a bicycle repair station.

The park will also have two playgrounds, a picnic pavilion, and a passive recreation area. The site is fenced and surrounded by environmentally sensitive areas that include wetlands.

Project Schedule/Status

Last Updated August 2020

Currently, the project is in the “Construction” phase.

The demolition of the old WSSC facilities was completed in 2009. Construction of the beginner-level bicycle pump track, learning pavilion, picnic area, and playgrounds was completed in 2019. The current construction phase includes an intermediate-level bicycle pump track and a bicycle skills course.

A summary of the project milestones follows:

• Fall 2017 – Summer 2020 – Design and construction of the park
• Summer 2020 – Fall 2020 – Post construction / As-built drawings
• Fall/Winter 2020 – Grand Opening

Background/Description

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation has opened a 30,000 square foot dog park at Kentland Community Center park. It includes separate areas for large and small dogs, perimeter fencing with double entry gates, site furniture, and agility features. Parking for this amenity is available at 6432 Columbia Park Road, Landover, MD 20785.

Status/Project Updates

A summary of anticipated milestones is as follows:

• March 1st – Open for public use
• May 27 to June 21 – Temporarily closed for the installation of pavilions
• June 22 – Reopening for public use
• June 29 – Grand Opening Celebration (event details to be posted soon)

Actual dates for the completion of the milestones are subject to change.

Site

Project Contact

Jeff Newhouse

Landscape Architect & Project Manager

Maryland National Parks Commission

MOBILE: (301) 699-2585

EMAIL: jeff.newhouse@pgparks.com

Background/Description

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation has acquired the property previously known as Lake Arbor Golf Course and is planning to work with the community to repurpose and improve the site. Originally a 127-acre, eighteen-hole golf course, The Lake Arbor Golf Course closed in 2010 and was acquired by DPR in July 2022 with State Program Open Space Funds. Major repurposing efforts will involve meadow creation and tree planting. Limited recreational development will be focused on trails and compatible recreational amenities in a safe and well-maintained environment.

The park Master Plan will establish a vision for the new park at Lake Arbor on what was formerly the golf course property. The Master Plan will be shaped by recommendations generated from an analysis of existing conditions, an evaluation of the park’s natural resources and how to expand and enhance those features, and community input. M-NCPPC, Department of Parks has selected Mahan Rykiel Associates, Inc. to work with the Department and the community to shape the vision and propose a path toward achieving a park that enhances the environmental features and provides appropriate recreational amenities for the community.

Under the direction of the Park Planning and Environmental Stewardship Division, the consultant will perform the following tasks to inform and develop a strategic framework to guide the Park Master Plan Development:

• Inventory the existing site characteristics and conditions, and assess the current and future users of the park
• Inventory the natural resources
• Conduct a comprehensive public engagement process to better understand community needs and desires
• Develop a vision for the future development of the park
• Prepare a final plan document with recommendations and an implementation strategy

Status/Project Updates

September 12, 2024 Open House and Community Meeting Presentation – Final Concept Plans

Please join us on September 12th for the next Community Meeting where we will present the final concept plans for the new park. We will hold an in-person “Open House” from 5pm – 6pm where staff and the design team will be available to answer questions, assist with orientation on the Concept Plan maps, etc.

The 5 pm Open House will be in-person only. The formal presentation of the Concept. Plans will take place at 6 pm directly after the Open House.

The 6 pm Presentation will be offered in a hybrid format (in-person and virtual); however, we strongly encourage you to attend in person if possible.

Current Concept Plans: Please see the links to the final Concept Plans for the proposed 1) Active Recreation Uses, 2) Trail Network (paved, mowed meadow, and natural surface), and 3) Habitat Restoration areas under the “Resources” section of this web page. We encourage you to review these ahead of time and come prepared with any questions you may have.

Please see the summary document that includes the input received from the community engagement meetings/activities and online survey. This information along with feedback from M-NCPPC staff resulted in the determination of desired park amenities that will be used to develop the final master plan documents. This summary document is provided under the “Resources” section of this web page.

In an effort to help the community orient themselves, please see the exhibits from the June 5, 2024 Community Meeting that have been updated with more location details including additional street names and the former golf course fairway/hole numbers. These updated exhibits are under the “Resources” section of this web page.

June 5, 2024 Community Meeting

The project team hosted a hybrid (in-person and virtual) community engagement meeting on June 5, 2024 and shared an update on the design team’s initial analysis and preliminary concept designs based on information gathered at the March 2024 community meeting. The community’s feedback at this meeting will help refine the new park design concepts.

March 21, 2024, Community Meeting

The project team hosted a hybrid (in-person and virtual) community engagement kickoff meeting on March 21, 2024 to introduce the project to develop a master plan for the new park at Lake Arbor. The team provided a history of the site, existing conditions, current status of ongoing maintenance, and gathered community input for the future park amenities.

Under the Resources heading below, you will find the presentations from the meetings and the Community flyers (pdf). Please send all inquiries and input to the following email address:  lakearborcivicassoc@gmail.com These emails will be forwarded to the M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation’s Project Contact, Mary Jo Kishter.

Currently, the project is in the Community Engagement phase. A summary of anticipated milestones is as follows:

• Spring/Summer 2024 – Community Engagement
• Fall 2024 – Master Plan recommendations
• Spring/Summer 2025 – Some additional improvements & limited public use.

Actual dates for the completion of the milestones are subject to change. The anticipated project completion is to be determined.

Resources

• Final Active Use Diagram (PDF)
• Final Disc Golf Diagram (PDF)
• Final Habitat Restoration and Trails (PDF)
• September 2024 Lake Arbor Community Meeting Presentation (PDF)
• September 2024 Lake Arbor Community Flyer (PDF)
• Feedback and Program Summary (PDF)
• Preliminary Active Use Concepts (PDF)
• Preliminary Habitat Restoration Concepts (PDF)
• June 2024 Lake Arbor Community Meeting Presentation (PDF)
• June 2024 Lake Arbor Community Meeting Flyer (PDF)
• March 2024 Community Meeting Presentation (PDF)
• March 2024 Lake Arbor Community Meeting Flyer (PDF)
• November 2022 Lake Arbor Community Meeting Presentation (PDF)

Project Contact

Mary Jo Kishter

Environmental Planner

Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission

TEL: 301-699-2438

EMAIL: Maryjo.kishter@pgparks.com

Information Coming Soon!

Background/Description

On September 18, 2013, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation adopted Prince George’s County’s first comprehensive plan for parks, recreation, and open space. It is referred to as Formula 2040: Functional Master Plan for Parks, Recreation, and Open Space. This Plan provides policies to guide the planning of future parks, recreational programs, and maintenance service facilities as well as the rehabilitation and modernization of existing facilities.

A key recommendation of Formula 2040 is to move from the current model of building neighborhood-oriented community centers to constructing larger, multi-neighborhood-serving community centers or what is referred to in the Plan as “multigenerational community centers.” Multigenerational centers provide an array of programs, simultaneously, to serve the recreation and leisure needs and interests of an entire family.

According to the service standards defined in Formula 2040, there is a need for additional recreational and aquatic facilities within the Southern Area of Prince George’s County. The Plan recommended the transformation of Marlow Heights Community Center into a multigenerational center by adding 21,000 square feet of nonaquatic recreation space and 16,000 square feet of indoor aquatic recreation space.

In 2019, a feasibility study was conducted to look at the site and future needs. The study confirmed that a multigenerational community center was not viable due to the limited size of the site and recommended that the existing facility be demolished and replaced with a new facility to better meet the needs of the community. 

The Marlow Heights Community Center Replacement project involves the design and construction of a new approximately 21,000-square-foot community recreation facility. The community center will include a gymnasium, a fitness center, a multipurpose room, a group fitness studio, and a community meeting room with a warming kitchen.

Status/Project Schedule

Last updated January 2023.

Currently, the project is in the Design phase.

A summary of anticipated milestones is as follows: 

• Fall 2021 – Spring 2023 – Design and Permitting
• February 1, 2023 – Current Marlow Heights Community Center Closes
• Spring 2023 – Construction Start 
• Summer 2024 – Construction Completion 

Actual dates for the completion of the milestones are subject to change. 

Previous Meeting Recordings

January 12, 2023, Community Meeting recording coming soon.

Watch the previous Marlow Heights Virtual Community Meeting held on February 9, 2022 below.

Watch the previous Marlow Heights Virtual Community Meeting held on January 5, 2022 below.

Resources

Don Herring

Senior Planner

Maryland National Parks Commission

MOBILE: 301-699-2574

EMAIL: don.herring@pgparks.com

Background/Description

Formula 2040: The Master Plan for Parks, Recreation, and Open Space, adopted by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) in 2013, guides Prince George’s County in the creation of a system that will serve nearly one million people in an urban/suburban setting and strives to achieve the goals of connectivity, health and wellness, and economic development by through its creation of a new multigenerational center model.

Formula 2040 divides the county into 9 service areas. From the center of each service area, facility access should be within a 15-minute travel time. A comprehensive analysis was undertaken to determine the current and future demand for community facilities in each service area. The Department of Parks and Recreation is conducting feasibility studies for the future development of multigenerational centers in Service Areas 2, 3, and 4.

The first multigenerational community center was recently completed in the southern area of the county. It is referred to as the Southern Area Aquatics & Recreation Complex (SAARC). SAARC offers one example of how to design and build a multigenerational community center in a suburban environment.

Status/Project Updates

Last updated December 2021

SA: Service Area

• SA 2: Feasibility Study – Complete
• SA 3: Feasibility Study – Complete
• SA 4: Feasibility Study – Complete
• SA 8: Southern Regional Technology & Recreation Complex – Under Construction
• Southern Area Aquatics & Recreation Area – Complete

Virtual Community Meeting Recordings

Community Meetings in English

Final Study Presentation – April 21st, 2022

Service Area 2 Multigenerational Center

Service Area 3 Multigenerational Center

Service Area 4 Multigenerational Center

Reunión Comunitaria en Español

Área de Servicio 2 Centro de Recreación Multigeneracional

Área de Servicio 3 Centro de Recreación Multigeneracional

Área de Servicio 4 Centro de Recreación Multigeneracional

Resources

Project Contact

Claire Worshtil

Lead Strategic Park Planner

Maryland National Parks Commission

TEL: 301-699-2536

EMAIL: claire.worshtil@pgparks.com

Multigenerational centers range from 60,000 to 80,000 square feet and offer an array of program opportunities to satisfy the needs and interests of an entire family. Each new center is custom-designed to serve the specific needs of neighboring populations. This is a level of service that could not be provided by the former model of small recreation centers that are typically comprised of a single gymnasium, multipurpose space, and a fitness room. In contrast, typical multigenerational centers will have a double gymnasium, an aquatic feature, a fitness center with a running track, and flexible multipurpose program spaces to meet the requirements for a variety of activities.

Resources

Project Contact

Claire Worshtil

Lead Strategic Park Planner

Maryland National Parks Commission

TEL: 301-699-2536

EMAIL: claire.worshtil@pgparks.com

A typical feasibility study includes an analysis of the proposed project location and the projected market to be served. All major projects recommended for the CIP should be backed by a feasibility study that analyzes the relative costs and benefits of proceeding with the project. Depending on the size of the project, the scope of the feasibility study will vary. This study will determine the feasibility of constructing multigenerational centers in Service Areas 2, 3, and 4 and will be divided into two phases: 

• Phase I: Evaluation of the Demand, Program of Requirements, and Real Estate Analysis/Site Selection Assessment
• Phase II: Development of Conceptual Designs and Cost Estimates

Resources

Claire Worshtil

Lead Strategic Park Planner

Maryland National Parks Commission

TEL: 301-699-2536

EMAIL: claire.worshtil@pgparks.com

Background/Description 

The adopted Formula 2040: The Master Plan for Parks, Recreation, and Open Space divides the county into nine Service Areas. From the center of each service area, recreational facility access should be within a 15-minute travel time. It was recommended that 12,000 sq ft of additional non-aquatic recreation space be constructed in the North College Park area. The Department has completed a feasibility study to determine the location, program, conceptual design, and cost for that facility. The final document can be viewed below. The study recommended two potential sites for a 13,000 sq ft community center, the Hollywood Shopping Center and Hollywood Park.

Status/Project Updates

Last Updated February 2023

This project is complete. The Department has requested funding for this project in the proposed FY24 CIP.

A summary of completed and anticipated project milestones is as follows:

• Spring 2022 – Data Gathering and Community Outreach
• Summer 2022 – Conceptual Design and Cost Estimates
• Fall 2022 – Budget Request
• Winter 2022 – Final Study Completed

Actual dates for the completion of the milestones are subject to change.

View the North College Park Community Center Feasibility Study Community Meeting video below!

Project Contact

Claire Worshtil

Lead Strategic Park Planner

Maryland National Parks Commission

TEL: 301-699-2536

EMAIL: claire.worshtil@pgparks.com

Status/Project Updates

Last Updated March 2022

We appreciate your continued engagement and insight on the value of the Paint Branch Golf Course. As you may know, it was determined that the Paint Branch Golf Complex will no longer be considered as a site for the University of Maryland Track and Field.  

With your significant feedback, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation worked with a golf course design professional to evaluate the existing course and make recommendations for improving the experience for golf patrons. The recent study evaluated the existing course and makes recommendations for improving the experience for golf patrons.  

On March 15, 2022, we hosted a virtual community meeting to share more information on the recent work by The Department of Parks and Recreation and to provide an update on the recommendations. A recording of the meeting can be viewed below:

Update from December 2021

Hello Paint Branch Golf Course Stakeholders,

This correspondence is to provide you with an update regarding the proposal to partner with the University of Maryland for the purpose of building a track and field at the Paint Branch Golf Complex.

In 2019, the University of Maryland approached The Department of Parks and Recreation, with The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, to explore the possibility of building an NCAA track and field facility on the driving range portion of the Department’s Paint Branch Golf Course.  The University seeks a new track because many of its existing track facilities are in the Purple Line right of way and must be relocated. In addition to serving University needs, the proposed new facility was intended to be shared for community uses.

After several months of conversations with residents and community stakeholders, the University and the Department have determined that the Paint Branch Golf Course will not be used for this purpose.

Though this proposal is no longer being considered, conversations with residents and stakeholders resulted in a deeper appreciation of the roles of both the Department and the University in service to the residents of Prince George’s County. Groundwork has been laid for future collaboration between the University and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Update from September 2021

Hello Paint Branch Golf Course Stakeholders,

This correspondence is to provide you with an update regarding the proposal to partner with the University of Maryland for the purpose of building a track and field at the Paint Branch Golf Complex.

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation agreed to share any updates with the community before presenting to the Planning Board. As promised, we will not present to the Planning Board in September as we still are due a meeting with the community. We anticipate hosting a community meeting in late September or early October.

Additionally, the Department onboarded a golf professional to assist us in enhancing the golfing experience at Paint Branch. You will be able to learn more about this process during the community meeting.

Lastly, the Department is continuing conversations with the University in order to establish both a long-term lease and a use agreement, which would provide the community with access to the track for informal recreation and provide the Department access to the track for its programming.

Update from August 2021

We appreciate your continued engagement and insight on the value of Paint Branch Golf Course, including its walkability, affordability, and importance of the current 9-hole course. With the significant feedback we received during our June 15th meeting at College Park Airport, we are working to develop a plan that would include keeping the 9-holes, while ensuring the success of the Paint Branch Complex. Over the next coming weeks, we will consider how keeping the 9- hole course could guide the proposed partnership with the University of Maryland and impact other amenities such as the driving range.

Background/Description

Opened in 1964, the Paint Branch Golf Complex in College Park, Maryland is a 9-hole course that features 2,035 yards of golf with a driving range and short-game area, a clubhouse, and a Pro Shop.

The new development of the Paint Branch Golf Complex project involves a joint-use partnership between The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, and the University of Maryland, College Park to improve programming and development for the 74-acre complex, beginning with the 8-acre driving range area.

As a part of the agreement, the University of Maryland will construct and operate a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) track and field facility at the location of the existing driving range. Over time, it is proposed that additional joint-use facilities, including multipurpose fields, will be constructed within the complex.

The track, a facility whose primary use is for the University’s NCAA Track and Field program, will also be made available for other university and community uses/users. A new driving range will be constructed at a different location within the Paint Branch Golf Complex. This enhanced facility will increase the community’s access to recreational, leisure, and academic golf experiences.

The Paint Branch facility will be developed in phases. The first phase will include the track. The second phase will include the replacement of the driving range. Later phases could include miniature golf, batting cages, and 3-hole golf course. In addition, joint-use multipurpose fields are being considered for the backside of the site. A comprehensive design for these secondary phases will ensure the most efficient and economical utilization of such facilities and promote the recreational and educational programs and objectives of both M-NCPPC and the University.

Other golf courses and Driving Ranges available during the construction of the University of Maryland Track and Field facility:

• University of Maryland Golf Course
• Henson Creek Golf Course
• Enterprise Golf Course
• Gunpowder Golf Course

Why are the number of holes being decreased?
The proposed reduction in the number of golf course holes is to allow space for the replacement of the existing Driving Range that will be used to enhance the “Learn to Golf” experience. The reduced course could be used by DPR to provide training for new golfers.  

Additionally, with holes of varying lengths, more experienced golfers will have an opportunity to work on their short, mid-range, and long-range games. We believe that a redesigned course as envisioned would complement the existing golf performance center and new Driving Range. 

The existing Driving Range is an integral part of the training experience and provides revenue. The proposed modifications and additions are opportunities to bring in new golfers, support DPR’s growing First Tee program, while also diversifying the onsite activities to meet the needs of a growing community.

How will this impact the play price at the complex?
Our goal is to always keep the play price affordable for Prince George’s County residents.

How long will the golf course remain as it is now?
We expect the current golf course to remain intact until the summer of 2022. Once approved, the University anticipates starting construction of the Track and Field facility during the Summer of 2022 and complete the facility during the Summer of 2023. We will make all efforts to maintain the golf course during this construction period. A timeline for the other proposed amenities has not been developed.

Resources

Project Contact

Background/Description

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation is replacing the Rose Valley Park playground equipment at the corner of Glen Way and Tree View Way. The playground replacement involved the removal and disposal of the existing equipment that has exceeded its useful life and the installation of new play equipment for both 2 to 5 and 5 to 12 age groups.

Status/Project Updates

Currently, the project is in the Procurement phase. A summary of anticipated milestones is as follows:

• Winter 2023 – Select contractor
• Spring 2023 – Manufacture play equipment
• The playground has been completed and is open for use.

Actual dates for the completion of the milestones are subject to change.

Quick Links

Jeff Newhouse

Landscape Architect & Project Manager

Maryland National Parks Commission

MOBILE: (301) 699-2585

EMAIL: jeff.newhouse@pgparks.com

Background/Description

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation is excited to build its first dog park in the Southern Area of Prince George’s County at Riverview Park in Fort Washington, Maryland. The proposed dog park will include separate areas for large and small dogs, perimeter fencing with double entry gates, drinking fountains, site furniture, and agility features.

Status/Project Schedule

The project is currently under construction.

A summary of anticipated milestones is as follows:

• Spring 2023 – Construction Completion and Opening Ceremony (date TBD)

Actual dates for the completion of the milestones are subject to change.

Project Contact

Jeff Newhouse

Landscape Architect & Project Manager

Maryland National Parks Commission

MOBILE: (301) 699-2585

EMAIL: jeff.newhouse@pgparks.com

Background/Description 

The Sandy Hill Park project (formerly known as Sandy Hill Neighborhood Park) is a 10-acre park owned by M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation. The proposed improvements to the facilities within the park include an adult-sized baseball field with a scoreboard, a new parking lot layout with additional parking spaces, a picnic shelter with grills, water fountains, a walking loop trail, and road improvements to Old Laurel Bowie Road.

Status/Project Updates

Last updated February 2023

Currently, the project is in the Construction phase, the construction started in February 2023.

A summary of completed and anticipated project milestones is as follows:

• Spring 2022 – Design/Permitting/Construction Drawings
• Winter 2022 – Construction Bid
• Spring 2023 – Construction 
• Winter 2023/Spring 2024 – Final Completion/Opening

Actual dates for the completion of the milestones are subject to change. 

Project Contact

Sonja M. Ewing, AICP

Assistant Division Chief, Park Planning and Development

TEL: (301)699-2586

EMAIL: Sonja.Ewinge@pgparks.com

Background/Description

The park Master Plan will establish a comprehensive vision for the future of Walker Mill Regional Park by developing a blueprint that balances competing demands on the park’s resources and responsibly guides development through the next 20-25 years. The blueprint will be shaped by recommendations generated from an analysis of existing conditions, an evaluation of the park’s natural resources, community input collected through multiple civic engagement tools, and a robust level of service assessment.

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation has selected LSG Landscape Architecture, a nationally recognized park planning consulting firm, to work with the department and the community to shape the vision and propose a path toward achieving countywide goals outlined in Formula 2040: Functional Master Plan for Parks, Recreation and Open Space, and the Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plan.

Under the direction of the Park Planning and Development Division, the consultant will perform the following tasks to inform and develop a strategic framework to guide the Park Master Plan Development:

• Inventory the existing site characteristics and conditions, and assess the current and future users of the park
• Inventory the natural resources
• Conduct a comprehensive public engagement process to better understand community needs and desires
• Develop a vision for the future development of the park
• Prepare a final plan document with recommendations and an implementation strategy

Status/Project Updates

Last Updated March 2023

Currently, the project is in the Construction Documents/Permits phase.

A summary of anticipated milestones is as follows:

• Completed – Community Engagement & Concept Design
• Spring – Summer 2023 – Construction Documents/Permits
• Fall – Winter 2023 – Construction

Actual dates for the completion of the milestones are subject to change.

Project Contact

Lynn Skillman Gulley

Landscape Architect

Maryland National Parks Commission

TEL: (301) 699-2482

EMAIL: lynn.gulley@pgparks.com

Background/Description

Watkins Regional Park grew organically over the past 40 years; where infrastructure, activities, and programs were developed as opportunities presented themselves. This evolution established Watkins as a natural, cultural, and recreational jewel of the county. Today, the park serves over one million visitors annually by providing a diverse collection of programs, activities, and options for passive recreation.

The Department of Parks and Recreation recognizes the changing demand for facilities within the park and used the master plan process to identify the limitations of the parks’ assets while continually enhancing the role of Watkins Regional Park in the county.

The master planning process established a comprehensive vision for the future of Watkins Regional Park through the development of a blueprint that balances competing demands on the park’s resources and responsibly guides development through the next 20-25 years. The blueprint was shaped by recommendations generated from an analysis of existing conditions, an evaluation of the park’s natural resources, community input collected through multiple civic engagement tools, and a robust level of service assessment.

Guiding Principles

The following principles were developed with community members and key stakeholders to guide the planning effort. They provided a framework for decision making and influenced the recommendations for future development:

• Create a Sense of Place: A compelling mix of destinations and experiences will enhance the comfort, ambiance, and choice of activities at the park
• Education and Environmental Learning: Celebrate the park’s natural resources through a more focused lens on environmental discovery and understanding. Special habitat and wildlife features will be protected and explained.
• Infrastructure Expansion: Improvements that prioritize aging infrastructure and stronger internal and external connections to the park will achieve better connectivity, safety, and function.
• Family Fun: New park facilities and programming, will open up opportunities for new audiences and age groups to visit and enjoy the park. The park will offer spaces, activities, and events that support family togetherness and fun for a whole day in the park.
• Personal Health and Fitness: Trails for recreational use will be expanded to improve fitness and health programming.
• Habitat and Wildlife: The preservation of the landscape, stewardship, sustainability, and incorporation of cultural elements that express Prince George’s County’s character and identity are some of the plan’s priorities.

Status/Project Updates

The Watkins Regional Park Master Development Plan has been completed. To view and download the plan document, use the links below. For more information on the master planning process, see the Background/Description section above.

Watkins Regional Park Master Plan

• Executive Summary (PDF)
• Table of Contents (PDF)
• Chapter 1 Introduction (PDF)
• Chapter 2 The Park Today (PDF)
• Chapter 3 Public Input (PDF)
• Chapter 4 Moving Forward (PDF)

Community Meetings

• Stakeholder Meeting Presentation – December 12, 2018 (PDF)
• Stakeholder Meeting Presentation – February 15, 2017 (PDF)
• Stakeholder Meeting Presentation – January 24, 2017 (PDF)
• Community Meeting Agenda and Notes – May 24, 2016 (PDF)
• Community Meeting Presentation – May 24, 2016 (PDF)

Project Contact

Sonja M. Ewing, AICP

Assistant Division Chief, Park Planning and Development

TEL: (301)699-2586

EMAIL: Sonja.Ewinge@pgparks.com

Anacostia River Trail System

Stakeholder Outreach

Over the years, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation has received numerous requests from the public for improved signage on the 40+ mile Anacostia River Trail System. With the 2016 opening of the Kenilworth Trail Section, linking the Bladensburg Waterfront Park with the District of Columbia (DC), and the Little Paint Branch extension to Fairland Regional Park, the trail system is now fully linked. To develop a new and updated sign system, DPR has initiated planning, design, fabrication, and installation projects to provide a comprehensive Wayfinding Sign System for the portion of the paved trails owned and managed by DPR.

The project kicked off in 2020. The first step was to evaluate the sign system used on the Anacostia River Trail in the District and the Paved Trail Sign Manual, which was developed by Montgomery Parks our sister M-NCPPC agency and applied to the Rock Creek Trail. This step resulted in a decision by the DPR Executive Team to develop a more customized design, consistent with the approaches taken in DC and Montgomery County, but addressing the following key issues identified by DPR staff:

• Overall durability for long-term maintenance cost savings
• Stature and visibility in the built environment and at park trailheads
• Ability to be maintained by the DPR sign shop
• Utilizing the best practices developed by the DPR sign shop (graffiti resistance, insect resistance, medium-cost materials, but high value, use of recycled materials, and durability in severe weather conditions)
• Legibility, being clear enough to be read and understood
• Providing a strong visual brand that is compatible with the DPR park entrance signs but also unique to the Anacostia River Trail System

This sign system will be applied to the following paths, which are components of the Anacostia River Trail System: The Anacostia River Trail (PG section), the Northwest Branch Trail (PG Section), the Northeast Branch Trail, the Sligo Creek Trail (PG Section), the Indian Creek Trail, the Paint Branch, and Little Paint Branch Trails, and the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail. The maintenance, management, policing, and ownership of the Trolley Trail are shared by DPR along with College Park, Hyattsville, and Riverdale Park.

Background/Description

Westphalia Central Park is a 150-acre park that was planned and designed to provide an array of recreational amenities for residents in Westphalia and in the region. The land for the park was dedicated primarily by the owner Smith Home Farms Project Owner (SHF) LLC as a required condition of development approval. Possible amenities include a recreation pond, plaza with pavilion structure, performance lawn, signature playground, picnic structures, volleyball courts, amphitheater, skate park, restrooms, bridges, and trails.

The Central Park will be funded in part by SHF and other developers within the Westphalia Planning Area and by M-NCPPC’s Capital Improvement Program. The Central Park was planned to be constructed in phases. The black dashed area is the 50-acre Phase 1 boundary. Within Phase 1, the highlighted red dashed area will be constructed by SHF per the development approval (CDP-0501 Reconsideration).

For other Frequently Asked Questions, reference the FAQ document under the Resources section.

Status/Project Updates

Phase I of Westphalia Central Park comprises major program spaces, including a performance lawn, signature playground, entrance plaza, and parking. Phase I roughing grading was started in 2019 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2021.

The Department of Parks and Recreation hosted a virtual community “Coffee and Chat” meeting on December 14 at 6 PM. During the meeting, the project team provided an overview of the park, the funding strategy, and the next steps for the development of Phase I. A recording of the meeting can be viewed below:

Project Contact

Sonja M. Ewing, AICP

Assistant Division Chief, Park Planning and Development

TEL: (301)699-2586

EMAIL: Sonja.Ewinge@pgparks.com

Do you have memories of Wilmer’s Park? Help staff honor the park’s memory by uploading photos or videos you may have. Please visit Open Town Hall at the link below to upload your submission.

Background/Description

Wilmer’s Park was constructed as a leisure destination beginning in the 1950s and comprised a restaurant, dancehall, overnight accommodations, Wilmer’s residence, two outdoor stages, two open-air dining pavilions, and recreation areas that included a baseball field and a children’s playground. The site was active from the mid-1950s through the early 1990s. Wilmer’s Park was a rural venue on the Chitlin’ Circuit, the national network that brought African-American performers to African-American audiences during Jim Crow. The circuit began in the 1930s and ended with the waning of Jim Crow and the gradual racial integration of places of public accommodation.

The Park featured prominent performers during an important period in American music when African-American musicians developed blues and invented rock-and-roll. Wilmer’s Park is a rare example and survivor of a Chitlin’ Circuit venue that was in a rural location, included outdoor recreation and included overnight accommodations for performers and other guests. The Park is significant in the statewide context of Jim Crow and segregated public accommodations in Maryland. Wilmer’s Park is probably also significant in the national context of the Chitlin’ Circuit networks of performers, and urban and rural venues throughout the United States.

Status/Project Updates

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County will perform a Feasibility Study and/or a Master Plan to determine the highest and best uses for the site over the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years. The overall goal is to integrate some of the old uses of the park. We will rely on the recommendations from the study and plan to honor/interpret the historic and cultural significance of the property.

Project Contact

Don Herring

Senior Planner

Maryland National Parks Commission

MOBILE: 301-699-2574

EMAIL: don.herring@pgparks.com