News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 17, 2022

Media Contact: Angel Waldron, 301-446-3311

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

The 36^th Annual Winter Festival of Lights

Riverdale, MD – Today, the Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County announces the 2022 Winter Festival of Lights. Now in its 36th year, the festival is a staple in local holiday traditions. With more lights, displays, and entertainment, it is the biggest of its kind in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

Since last year, the entrance of the Festival has been relocated to Route 202/Largo Road, across the street from the Riverdale Baptist Church, located at 1133 Largo Road, in Upper Marlboro.   Please note that the entrance on Route 193 will be closed.

Back by popular demand are our carriage rides! Create unforgettable memories with this unique experience. Sit cozied up with your loved ones as you ride a horse drawn carriage through the festival. Hats, gloves and blankets are recommended.

“We know it’s the holiday season when the Winter Festival of Lights begins. The Festival of Lights gets better every year. There’s always something new to see,” exclaims Bill Tyler, Director of the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation. “This year we are happy to again offer horse-drawn carriage rides which were so popular in 2021. We want to ensure the best possible experience for visitors and their families this holiday,” says Tyler.

Drive through three miles of whimsical lights and celebrate the magic of the season from the comfort of your vehicle. This year’s spectacular drive-through event features dazzling displays with more than 2.5 million LED lights throughout the park and a giant, 54-foot LED musical tree. Please bring a canned good to donate to local food banks.

WHAT: 36^th Annual Winter Festival of Lights

WHEN: Friday, November 25, 2022 – Sunday, January 1, 2023, daily from 5 – 10 pm.

WHERE: Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20774

COST: Admission fees based on vehicle type and method of payment

Online registration is encouraged. Purchase tickets in advance online and pay only $10 for cars ($15 standard admission). Preregistration for carriage-rides is required, since availability is limited to Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Both are now available through https://www.pgparks.com/742/Festival-of-Lights.  

Bring a little twinkle to your holidays at this spectacular drive-through event. Come celebrate the season with the Department of Parks and Recreation.

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, Twitter, PhotoShelter, 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. 

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2022

Media Contact: Angel Waldron, 301-446-3311

BOWIE BAYSOX RENEW STADIUM LEASE WITH M-NCPPC, DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, 

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Riverdale, MD – The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s (M-NCPPC) Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County is pleased to announce the renewal of the Bowie Baysox lease at Prince George’s Stadium. The new ten-year lease was approved by the Prince George’s County Planning Board on October 27, 2022. The lease commences on January 1, 2023 and runs through 2032.

“We are thrilled to enter this agreement with the Baysox to continue providing the beloved sport of baseball to the residents of Prince George’s County,” stated Peter Shapiro, Chair of the Prince George’s County Planning Board. “The ten-year lease will continue to generate support for local businesses and provide a significant impact on the County’s economic growth. We look forward to hosting residents and visitors as we root for our home team and enjoy America’s favorite pastime for years to come.”

The agreement will allow the Department to further develop the future of Prince George’s Stadium and enhance economic development opportunities in the County. Priorities include how to best utilize the space for the Baysox, high schools, showcases, and more. Department programs at the stadium have included:

• Doing Something Right
• Drive-in movie nights
• Negro League Legends Game
• Relax, Dine, and Un-Wine with Us
• Parks and Rec Cares

“We are honored to have a new decade-long lease with the M-NCPPC at Prince George’s Stadium and look forward to continuing to provide great baseball, affordable family entertainment, and expanding partnerships with Prince George’s County and the surrounding communities,” said Greg Baroni, CEO and Principal General Partner, Attain Sports & Entertainment and owner of the Baysox. “As a Maryland resident of more than 35 years, I have deep roots in the region and am committed to expanding community engagement, focusing on outstanding customer service, driving innovation, investing in the professional development of our employees, and improving the game-day experience for our fans.”

Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, the Bowie Baysox have called the M-NCPPC Prince George’s Stadium home for 29 years. For more information about Prince George’s stadium, visit www.milb.com/bowie

About the Department

The 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, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, and Instagram. The M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services.

About the Bowie Baysox

The Bowie Baysox are the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and play in the Double-A Northeast. The team plays their home games at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie, Maryland. The 2022 home season begins on Tuesday, April 11 at 7:05p against the Akron RubberDucks, an affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. Season and group tickets are now available for the 2023 season. For more information, please call 301.805.6000 or visit us online at www.baysox.com. 

###

THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION (M-NCPPC)
NEWS RELEASE 

For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

All Montgomery County Planning Board Members Resign
 Chair Casey Anderson, Vice Chair Partap Verma and Planning Board members Gerald Cichy, Tina Patterson, and Carol Rubin submit their resignations to the Montgomery County Council effective immediately

Riverdale, MD – The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), the state chartered bi-county land use authority for Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties today acknowledge the resignation of the five members of the Montgomery County Planning Board, effective immediately.

Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson, Vice Chair Partap Verma and Planning Board members Gerald Cichy, Tina Patterson, and Carol Rubin submitted their resignations to the Montgomery County Council earlier today. The Montgomery County Planning Board Commissioners are appointed by the Montgomery County Council.

The Montgomery County Planning Board meetings previously scheduled for October 13 and 20 have been cancelled. Agenda items scheduled to be reviewed on those dates will be rescheduled to a later meeting. The Full Commission meeting consisting of both county’s planning boards scheduled for October 19 has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Please visit the Montgomery County Planning Board website for further updates on the Board’s meeting schedule.

“M-NCPPC respects the Montgomery County Council’s authority over the appointed Planning Board members and will coordinate closely with the Council through this transition period,” said Asuntha Chiang-Smith, M-NCPPC Executive Director. “We remain focused on providing the support and leadership necessary for the professional staff at the Montgomery County Planning Department and Parks Department to continue their outstanding service.” 

“Since our agency was founded in 1927, M-NCPPC has worked together as One Commission dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents in both Montgomery and Prince George’s counties,” said Prince George’s County Planning Board Chair and M-NCPPC Chair Peter Shapiro. “And we will continue to do so.” 

 “Our commitment to Montgomery County and our planning work remains steadfast during this transition,” said Acting Montgomery Planning Director Tanya Stern. “The Montgomery County Planning Department will continue to move forward on our robust master planning and regulatory work program as the County Council appoints new Planning Board members.” 

For more information, view the Montgomery County Council’s statement.

About The Montgomery County Planning Board
 The Montgomery County Planning Board plans for livable communities by developing large- and small-scale plans, providing guidelines for the pattern and pace of future development, and preserving historic resources throughout the 323,000-acre county. The Planning Board implements plans through its review of development applications and its subdivision decisions. The Planning Board is also responsible for the development and management of Montgomery County’s nationally recognized 36,512-acre park system. No more than three Planning Board members may be from the same political party and all members must be residents and registered voters in Montgomery County when appointed.

About the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) 
 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. The agency, which is chartered by the State of Maryland, has geographic authority in the Montgomery County and Prince George’s County region, which are the two Maryland counties surrounding Washington, DC. The agency improves the well-being of over 2 million residents and countless visitors within this region by:

• Planning for the coordinated and harmonious physical growth and development of the region
• Protecting and stewarding natural, cultural, and historical resources
• Providing award winning system of parks
• Creating recreational experiences that enhance quality of life of all individuals
• Planning great communities that are vibrant, livable, accessible and sustainable

The Commission is comprised of seven distinct departments, each led by their respective Department Head. The Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Planning carry out services for the Prince George’s County region. The Department of Parks and the Department of Planning carry out services for Montgomery County. Bi-county corporate management is carried out by the Department of Human Resources and Management, the Department of Finance, and the Office of the General Counsel. Other Bi-county functions include the Office of Inspector General, the Chief Information Officer, and Merit System Board. The Commission’s governing body is comprised of ten Commissioners, five appointed to the Montgomery Planning Board and five appointed to the Prince George’s Planning Board, which have oversight of decisions for the Montgomery and Prince George’s region. The Commission appoints the bi- county officers of the Executive Director, Secretary-Treasurer, and General Counsel.

Contact:  
 Bridget Broullire
 Communications Chief
 Montgomery Planning (M-NCPPC)
 Bridget.Broullire@montgomeryplanning.org or 301.641.0457

Calista Black

Acting Public Affairs Officer

Prince George’s County Planning Board | Office of the Chairman (M-NCPPC)

calista.black@mncppc.org or 240-460-0753