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December 6, 2024
  • Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County Announces Summer Arts in the Parks

    Free Outdoor Performances Across Prince George’s County All Summer Long

    RIVERDALE, Md. – M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County is excited to announce the return of Summer Arts in the Parks, a series of FREE outdoor performances taking place at parks and Department facilities throughout Prince George’s County. From live music and theatrical performances to family movie nights, this summer-long celebration offers something for everyone to enjoy under the stars.

    Upcoming Performances:  

    Voices of Fairwood

    June 8, June 29, July 20, August 17, September 28 | Fairwood Community Park

    FREE | All Ages

    Fairwood Park comes alive this summer with FREE outdoor concerts. Established in 2013 as the Fairwood Arts Festival, this summer tradition had grown into one of the most anticipated performing arts events in Prince George’s County. This year’s performances – with R&B, soul, jazz, funk, GoGo, and more – have expanded to embrace the multicultural nature of the county, with each concert themed to celebrate the cultural impact of African American music in the county.

    Shakespeare in the Parks

    June 15 – July 6, 2025 | Various Locations

    FREE | All Ages

    Set in the festive world of an Italian Carnival, this energetic production brims the masquerades, mistaken identities, and delightful farce. Pack a picnic, bring a lawn chair, and enjoy the magic of the Bard under the stars.

    Summer Concerts at Cosca

    June 18, July 17, July 31, & August 14 |Cosca Regional Park  

    FREE | All Ages

    Groove to live R&B, soul, funk, GoGo, and more! This year’s concert series shines a spotlight on local artists and brings the community together for an evening of live music, dancing, and fun. Bring your lawn chair, blanket, and picnic, and enjoy a night out in the park.

    Summer Concert Series at Riversdale

    May 28, June 11 & June 25| Riversdale House Museum

    FREE | All Ages

    Enjoy live music on the beautiful lawn of the historic Riversdale House Museum. Perfect for a family outing, these concerts invite guests to bring a lawn chair and picnic dinner for a relaxing summer evening filled with music and community.

    Runway Rhythms

    Saturday, June 28, July 26 & August 30 | College Park Aviation Museum

    FREE | All Ages

    Tap your toes and dance to the rhythm during the Runway Rhythms summer concert series, held in the courtyard of the College Park Aviation Museum. This year’s exciting lineup includes Ni Dembaya African Drum & Dance Ensemble, 123 Andres, and Seth Kibel & The Klextet. These performances celebrate cultural diversity and are fun for all ages.

    Summer Movie Nights

    June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8 | Various Locations

    FREE | All Ages

    Bring a blanket or lawn chair and relax with your favorite family films under the starts. Each event kicks off at 6 pm with games, activities, and free popcorn. Movies begin at 7 pm. Featured films includes Shark Take, Lilo & Stitch: The Movie and Madagascar.

    For a full schedule of dates, times, and locations visit pgparks.com. Performances are subject to cancellation due to weather emergencies. Be prepared for storms and other emergencies this summer. Stay updated and prepared through PGParks Alert, M-NCPPC’s free weather and emergency notification services.

  • Dive into Summer! The 2025 Summer Pool Season at M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County begins Memorial Day Weekend

    RIVERDALE, Md. – M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County outdoor aquatic facilities will officially open for the 2025 summer season, beginning on Saturday, May 24 at 12 pm and will operate on weekend schedule through June 19th. Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, residents and visitors are invited to dive into summer fun at the seven outdoor pools and splash parks throughout the county.

    From lap swimming and swim lessons to splash pads and family play areas, the Department offers safe, affordable, and family-friendly aquatic fun all summer long. General admission for resident adults is $6 and $5 for youth and seniors. In addition to outdoor slides, activities, and other opportunities, the Department also offers state-of-the-art indoor aquatic facilities that provide swimming instruction, water safety education, fitness classes, open swim, and recreational play opportunities year-round.

    “The Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County is proud to offer welcoming spaces where families can cool off, connect, and create lasting memories this summer,” said Adrienne Harris Moore, Division Chief with the Aquatics and Athletic Facilities Division. “

    Outdoor Aquatic Facilities:

    Summer Outdoor Pool Operating Hours:

    • Mondays: 12 pm – 3 pm | 3:30 pm – 8 pm
    • Tuesdays: 12 pm – 3 pm | 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm
    • Wednesdays:12 pm – 3 pm | 3:30 pm – 8 pm
    • Thursdays: 12 pm – 3 pm | 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm
    • Fridays: 12 pm – 3 pm | 3:30 pm – 8 pm
    • Saturdays: 12 pm – 3 pm | 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm 

    *Outdoor Pools will begin daily operations on Thursday, June 19, 2025, with special holiday hours of 12 pm – 4 pm in observance of Juneteenth.

    Outdoor pools are very popular and tend to reach capacity early in the weekend sessions. To secure a spot it is encouraged for guests to make an online reservation at pgparks.com. Reservations can be made up to 10 days in advance and include a discounted admission fee. For complete pool schedules, admission details, and safety guidelines, please visit pgparks.com.

  • The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission selected as a finalist for the National Gold Medal Award in Parks and Recreation Management

    Agency vies for its seventh Gold Medal Award against three other agencies.

    RIVERDALE, Md. – The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) has been selected as a finalist in the 2025 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

    The Gold Medal is among the highest honors in the parks and recreation industry, recognizing outstanding management and service. M-NCPPC, which includes the Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery Parks, is the only six-time national Gold Medal winner for excellence in parks and recreation management in the nation. The agency earned this prestigious award in 1973, 1977, 1983, 1984, 2003, and 2015  and was also named a finalist in 2023.

    “This recognition is a testament to the unwavering dedication our staff has to serving the Prince George’s County community with high-quality recreational experiences,” said Bill Tyler, director of M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. “We are proud to represent our community on a national stage and will continue to pursue greatness in everything we do.”

    “Being named a finalist for the National Gold Medal Award is a testament to our dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners who work tirelessly to provide exceptional parks and programs,” said Miti Figueredo, director of Montgomery Parks. “This recognition reflects our commitment to fostering social connections, encouraging physical activity, and protecting the environment.”

    M-NCPPC is competing for the Gold Medal in the Class I category of park systems with a population of more than 400,001. Other park and recreation agencies competing for the Class I Gold Medal include the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation, Johnson County Park & Recreation District in Shawnee Mission, KS., and Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services in Leesburg, VA.

    Founded in 1965 the Gold Medal Awards program honors communities in the United States that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning. Resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development, and agency recognition. Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those who they serve through collective energies of community members, staff, and elected officials.

    The Gold Medal recipient will be announced in September at the 2025 NRPA Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida.