Do you feel it? That air of excitement and energy that comes with the blossoming trees, warm weather, and increasing daylight hours of spring. This winter has been a challenging one for many of us, but it’s finally a new season in College Park, and now is the perfect time to get outside and explore nearby outdoor spaces.
Hiking and Biking Trails: Prince George’s County is home to the Anacostia Tributary Trail System, which includes almost 30 miles of walking and biking trails. Along these paths, visitors can admire the beautiful creeks, trees, and parks within and surrounding College Park.
Indian Creek Trail: Running through College Park and Berwyn Heights, this flat, peaceful trail follows the creek on the east side of Lake Artemesia.
Paint Branch Trail: This path, which connects with Indian Creek Trail and travels all the way up to northern College Park, offers stunning views of Lake Artemesia and the lush greenery surrounding Paint Branch Stream.
Northeast Branch Trail: Stemming from the Indian Creek Trail and Paint Branch Trail at Lake Artemesia, this trail runs down the Northeast Branch Anacostia River toward Hyattsville
College Park Trolley Trail: Running adjacent to Rhode Island Avenue, this trail provides a path for people to walk and bike through the neighborhood of Berwyn, from the Paint Branch Trail in Lakeland up to Greenbelt Road.
Northwest Branch Trail: For folks who seek a more rugged hiking or mountain biking experience, NW Branch Trail is the one to explore. Following Northwest Branch Anacostia River from Hyattsville to White Oak, this winding trail provides a more advanced path for hikers and bikers, while offering a beautiful view of surrounding trees and the occasional waterfall.
Lake Artemesia: If you haven’t visited Lake Artemesia during the spring, you’re missing out on one of the most scenic destinations that College Park has to offer. The lake offers a perfect escape for getting fresh air and surrounding oneself with nature, especially as the days get warmer. Bordering the water is a footpath, which is almost as popular for dog-walkers, skateboarders, and rollerbladers as it is for joggers and cyclists.
Calvert Road Community Park is another great place to get active in College Park. If you’re in the mood for a friendly game of volleyball, tennis, or disc golf, look no further. Not only does this park have the courts/courses for all three of these activities, but it also has a playground, a couple of grills, and several picnic tables, which make it a popular space for outdoor gatherings like family barbecues.
Paint Branch Stream Valley Park: Located in College Park’s Lakeland neighborhood near the Paint Branch Trail, this park features a playground, a basketball court, and a pavilion full of picnic tables. Less than a 10-minute walk from the College Park Community Center, this park is a great space for nearby residents to spend spring afternoons.
In addition to these spaces, College Park includes many other parks, including Berwyn Neighborhood Park, Hollywood Neighborhood Park, Acredale Park and Dog Park, and more.
All in all, our mission is to help ensure that everyone has a chance to play. So, whether you prefer playing sports, riding a bike, or having fun on the playground, we hope you will take this beautiful weather as an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the area of College Park.