News - FAQ List Quick

FAQ List Quick

December 6, 2024
  • First Lady of Maryland Visits Summer Camp for Girls in Prince George’s County

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 10, 2023

    Media contact: Angel Waldron, 301-446-3311

    RIVERDALE, MD – Today, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County welcomed the First Lady of the State of Maryland, Dawn Moore, as the guest speaker for its She the People summer camp for girls. The informal discussion centered around the First Lady’s career and experience in politics, followed by a question-and-answer session with campers.

    “It was my honor to spend time with these extraordinary young ladies at the She The People Camp,” said First Lady Dawn Moore. “This camp available through M-NCPPC is a great example of how our state offers opportunities outside of the classroom to help develop the next generation of public servants and leaders. Our administration is proud to support the growth and education of our students.” 

    Now in its seventh year, She the People politics camp encourages girls to dream big and explore the

    endless possibilities of women in leadership. This non-partisan camp is designed to teach teenage girls

    about the power of civic leadership, government, and politics through a multitude of activities,

    discussions, debates, and field trips. Camp graduates are stimulated to get involved in their local

    communities and gain hands-on experience in activism, policymaking, leadership, critical thinking, and

    public speaking.

    “M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, offers many programs and services that allow our youth to envision the endless possibilities for their future,” said Bill Tyler, Director of M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. “She the People is a great example of envisioning future opportunities through real-life experiences. We thank the First Lady, Dawn Moore, for her commitment to empowering these young women and allowing them to see what greatness they can achieve.”

    She the People is a two-week non-partisan political summer program for girls ages 13-17. Learn more about She the People here.  Visit pgparks.com for information on other summer camps and programs.

    About the First Lady

    Dawn Flythe Moore is the First Lady of the State of Maryland. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in government relations, non-profit work, building corporate partnerships, community organizing, campaign strategy, and fundraising, she is passionate about empowering women, fostering economic opportunity, and championing the arts. A graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, Dawn holds a degree in Government and Politics and a certificate in Women’s Studies. Learn more here.

    About The Department

    The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation delivers an award-winning park system through progressive, innovative leadership and a commitment to the community and the environment in Prince George’s County. The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. For more information on the Department, visit www.pgparks.com.

  • Assessment of the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex Competition Pool Complete

    The following statement provides the latest update

    UPDATE (August 4, 2023): The Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex competition pool monitoring system installation is in progress. Upon further examination, engineers have recommended installing additional monitoring equipment. The temporary re-opening of the competition pool is now projected for fall 2023. The Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County is working diligently to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment.

    Pool is Expected to Temporarily Reopen with Limited Schedule and Services Fall 2023

    M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County

    RIVERDALE, Md. – M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County completed a routine evaluation as a part of its assessment management plan of the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex competition pool and found that previously identified structural matters had worsened and required closing the pool for an indefinite period. After further engineering study and reports, the competition pool is safe and will temporarily reopen utilizing a limited operating schedule and services. Once the long-term project begins, the pool will be closed to implement planned major capital investment. This work is projected to begin in approximately one year.

    “Our priority is the safety of our residents and visitors to the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex,” said Tara Eggleston Stewart, Division Chief of Aquatics and Athletic Facilities. “Our capital improvement plan is designed to ensure our facilities maintain safety requirements for operation while providing high quality programs and services to enrich our community”

    The Department hired structural engineers to evaluate the 23-year-old pool to assess maintenance needs. Based on initial findings provided by the structural engineers, the Department closed the competition pool on Thursday, January 26, 2023, and needed to conduct a more in-depth structural evaluation of the pool. Based on further engineering studies, the competition pool can safely reopen for operation. To ensure the safety of users, the Department is taking precautionary measures and installing new equipment that will continuously monitor the condition of the pool area to maintain the highest level of safety.

    The temporary reopening of the competition pool is projected for late summer and is expected to close again in approximately one year to undergo major upgrades. While the competition pool is closed, the Sports and Learning Complex’s leisure pool will remain open to serve the community. The Department also encourages its patrons to visit any of its 7 outdoor and 7 indoor pools and facilities to explore aquatic programs, services, and drop-in swim opportunities.

    Visit pgparks.com for additional information and updates on the specific reopening date and register for aquatic programs or classes. You can register for PGParks Alerts to receive updates on your mobile devices.

    About the Department

    The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation delivers an award-winning park system through progressive, innovative leadership and a commitment to the community and the environment in Prince George’s County. For more on the Department of Parks and Recreation, visit www.pgparks.com and stay connected on Facebook, TwitterPhotoShelter, and Instagram. The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. 

  • The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Wins $18.5 Million Federal Grant to Improve Trail Networks

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 29, 2023
    Media Contacts: Melissa.Chotiner@MontgomeryParks.org and Angel.Waldron@pgparks.com

    Money from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant will be used to enhance trails in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties as part of the Capital Trails Network.

    RIVERDALE, MD – The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced this week that The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission has been awarded an $18.5 million RAISE grant to fund the rehabilitation of multi-use paths to fill gaps in the Capital Trails Network – a plan developed by local jurisdictions, the National Park Service and trail advocacy organizations, to connect 990 miles of trail between Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

    The grant underscores the importance of connected trails and active transportation infrastructure to equitably deliver quality-of-life benefits across the region. This grant provides 34% of the funding needed for the renovation or construction of five high-priority projects in the network, which provide new access to recreation, outdoor space, and multimodal transportation in underserved neighborhoods.

    “These enhancements to Prince George’s and Montgomery County’s trails and connections will allow residents to travel by bicycle, foot, and other non-motorized means, easily and safely, and enjoy our park resources. This win is an important step as we work to design and construct our remaining planned trails in the Capital Trails Network,” said Peter A. Shapiro, Chair of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

    “This award will allow us to make much-needed improvements to existing hard-surface trails within the Capital Trail Network in some of our most densely populated neighborhoods, providing better outdoor recreational opportunities, connecting communities, and building a more resilient transportation network,” said Michael Riley, Director of Montgomery Parks.

    “The Department of Parks and Recreation has an amazing trail system for community who want to engage in active recreation and transportation. The RAISE Grant funding allows us to improve our trails by extending them; performing maintenance and upgrades on existing trails; and repairing bridges and boardwalks,” says Bill Tyler, Director of the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation. “Additionally, we’ve begun upgrading and improving way-finding signage, directional signage, and updating trail maps. Results of a 2021 study done on behalf of M-NCPPC showed that 19% of residents in Prince George’s County households had unmet needs regarding walking, hiking, and biking trails. The RAISE grant funds help us meet the residents’ needs more quickly and in line with our long-term strategy in trails on Commission parkland,” Director Tyler concludes.

    The grant money will be used to:

    • Repave the existing Northwest Branch Trail from the Prince George’s boundary to the end of the trail in Montgomery County and replace bridges and fords across side streams
    • Develop a shared-use path between the Northwest Branch Trail in Chillum Community Park and the path that links Avondale Community Park to Eastern Avenue in DC
    • Improve Sligo Creek Trail safety at major road crossings with high-traffic speeds and volumes, enhance ADA access, and bring this 30+ year-old shared-use path up to current standards in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties
    • Add to existing funding for phases 2-6 of the Central Avenue Connector Trail
    • Design and construct a new 10-foot-wide trail from the current trail terminus at the DC-Maryland border to the Naylor Road Metrorail Station in Prince George’s County

    Sligo Creek Trail is a 10.2-mile hard surface trail located along Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park, in Silver Spring. The Northwest Branch Trail is 11.7 miles long—nine miles are natural surface, and the remaining 2.7 miles are hard-surface trail. Together, both Departments bolster 233 miles of trails throughout Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties for walkers, bikers and equestrians. Explore the trail network at pgparks.org/parks-trail and MontgomerParks.org/trails.

    About The Commission

    Founded in 1927, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a nationally recognized leader in land use planning, parks, and recreation achieving countless awards for innovation, stewardship, and exemplary vision for enhancing the lives of current and future generations for Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. The agency improves the well-being of over two million residents and countless visitors within this region by planning the coordinated and harmonious physical growth and development of the region; protecting and stewarding natural, cultural, and historical resources; providing an award-winning system of parks; creating recreational experiences that enhance the quality of life of all individuals; and planning great communities that are vibrant, livable, accessible, and sustainable. For more information, visit www.mncppc.org.