FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 28, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: KIRA CALM LEWIS, 301-446-3327 - or - Kira.CalmLewis@pgparks.com 

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation Announcing 
Extending Summer Swimming and Expanding Fall Fun 

Riverdale, MD – The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation announces the reopening of more outdoor amenities including camping, canoeing, kayaking, and nature activities. The Department is expanding golf and tennis programming, as well as extending the outdoor swim season until Sunday, September 27, 2020. 

“Making additional outdoor recreation activities safely available again is our top priority,” says Bill Tyler, Director of the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation. “We will continue providing virtual programming and reopening activities and programs, in the safest manner possible for staff and patrons, and at the high standard that the community has come to expect.”

For all swim sessions, capacity remains limited. Reservations are required for all swim sessions. See locations, availability, and make reservations at, pgparks.com/swimming reservations.
SWIM session times - 10 a.m. - 12 noon, 1 - 3 p.m., and 4 - 6 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays only after Labor Day, from September 7 – September 27.
All outdoor pools will be OPEN on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, for the 10 a.m. - 12 noon and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. sessions. 

TENNIS - The three tennis bubbles (Fairland, Cosca, and Watkins) are expanding services to begin contract tennis play, as of Tuesday, September 8. Reservations will be accepted as of September 1. Visit pgparks.com/Tennis for locations, hours, and to call for reservations.

OLD MARYLAND FARM is now open for visitors Tuesdays - Sunday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and closed on Mondays. There is NO admission fee and walk-ups only. Space is limited and visitors may have to wait to enter if the facility is at capacity. Please follow the directional arrows and practice social distancing at all times. The Gift Shop and bathroom are closed until further notice.

CAMPING - Watkins Regional Park and Patuxent River Park campgrounds offer campsites and primitive tenting available for Friday - Sunday rentals only. Online reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance of the rental date with a 10-person maximum. To make a reservation and for the list of rules and regulations, please visit outdoors.pgparks.com and PatuxentRiverPark.com.

CANOE/KAYAK RENTALS - Patuxent River Park offers canoe and kayak rentals Saturdays and Sundays beginning, September 5 and 6, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Online reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance of the rental date and patrons must be 18 years of age or older. To make a reservation and the list of rental regulations, please visit PatuxentRiverPark.com.

Bladensburg Waterfront Park offers canoe and kayak rentals Saturdays and Sundays, starting the weekend of September 5 and 6, 2020, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., last launch time at 2 p.m. Online reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance of the rental date and patrons must be 18 years of age or older. To make a reservation, visit www.pgparksdirect.com and for the list of rental regulations, visit www.pgparks.com/BladensburgWaterfrontPark.

GOLF - The Department has added adult programming and youth leagues this fall:
- PGA Junior League 13U is a team-based golf competition for juniors ages 7- 13.
- PGA Junior League 18U is a team-based golf competition for high-school aged players.
Cost: $50/per player
Register through www.pgparksdirect.com, beginning Tuesday, September 8.

The First Tee of Greater Washington will remain our program for introducing the game of golf to the youth of Prince George’s County. First Tee has been an excellent way of exposing youth in the county to golf. We will continue to offer First Tee programming in fall 2020, with 2 classes at Paint Branch, 2 classes at Henson Creek, and 3 classes at Enterprise. These classes will not conflict with the PGA Junior League sessions.
Register for First Tee Programs hosted at Department golf courses at www.thefirstteedc.org.

ADULT GOLF Programming - Intro to Golf 4- week Program at Paint Branch Golf Course held once a week on Monday nights, beginning September 21.Cost: $50/ per person
Class size: 9 (students and 1 instructor)
Time: 6 – 7 p.m.
Register through www.pgparksdirect.com, beginning Tuesday, September 8.

A full list of COVID-19 related protocols, guidelines, safety modifications, and procedures will be provided at the time of registration.