Trails

Beginning the week of December 3, 2018, a portion of the Northwest Branch Trail near the West Hyattsville Metro Station will be closed. A convenient detour route has been established along the Kirkwood Apartments through the Metrorail station and using Jamestown Road. Detour signs will be in place for the duration of the closure, scheduled for approximately 6-9 months.

See map for location of trail closure and detour routes (PDF)

The closure is required for a residential developer to provide compensatory floodwater storage to mitigate earthen fill required for the development. Between the Kirkwood Apartments and Queens Chapel Road, the developer will relocate and widen a section of the NW Branch Trail, resurface and widen another section, and provide lighting throughout; as well as trail connections from the development to the main trail.

Public Notices
Strategic Trails Plan
Trails Project

As of January 31, 2019

Little Paint Branch Trail Extension

Construction will be temporarily suspended due to weather-related issues.
The 2.2 mile project (from Cherry Hill Road to Beltsville Community Center on Sellman Road) is 90% complete.
Contractor will return in March or April, depending on weather, to wrap up the project.
The trail is generally passable, but has small unfinished conditions throughout, such as unpaved sections, no signage or striping, fencing needs, power pole guy wire adjustments and other features that will be completed when construction resumes.
A major section of the trail adjacent to the Knights of Columbus property is not passable and will be fully posted as OFF LIMITS. Please do not try to use this section of trail and do not trespass on Knights of Columbus facility grounds to go around the construction site.

Little Paint Branch Trail Closure for Repairs

The existing Little Paint Branch Trail (just south of Cherry Hill Road) is being compromised by flood waters. Environmental Quality Resources (EQR) is addressing 3 trail washout and undermining locations, by conducting a 4-6 week long emergency streambank stabilization project. This work is underway as of January 28, 2019, and will continue until finished.
For 2-3 weeks, the trail will be closed during the hours that the contractor is working at the site–Monday through Friday, 6:30 am-4 pm.
Outside of these hours and on weekends the contractor will attempt to leave the trail passable. Trails users should exercise caution and are require to use detours on unpaved areas adjacent to the pavement.
The portion of trail that has fallen into the stream channel will be blocked off at all hours until the base is will remain closed until fully stabilized and new paving is applied.
See map of the Little Paint Branch trail closure (PDF)

Prince George’s County has 165 miles of trail in our park system. Our trail network includes:

Paved multi-use trails for walking, biking, running, skating, routine transportation, daily exercise and weekend recreation (85 miles);
Natural surface trails for hiking, loving nature, mountain biking and horseback riding (47 miles);
Loop trails in neighborhood parks for walking, jogging, staying healthy and fit, and learning to ride a bike (33 miles, mostly paved); and,
Water trails along the Patuxent and Potomac Rivers for canoeing and kayaking.

Our trails traverse many settings. Urban and suburban greenways run through our stream valley parklands, rails-to-trails conversions follow the old trolley lines, and a mixed assortment of trails have been built in our regional parks and conservation lands.

Prince George’s park trails are great for family outings, hanging with friends, bird watching, getting access to fishing holes, exploring forests and wetlands, connecting to our history and decompressing from urban life.

Trail Hours and Operations

Paved trails are open from dawn to dusk for pedestrians and recreational uses, unless lighting is provided and extended hours are posted.
For cyclists, who have a headlamp and are just passing through, new rules allow access on all paved trails from 5 am to midnight.
Natural surface trails are open from dawn to dusk, unless otherwise posted.
The Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail is policed by local police in Hyattsville, Riverdale Park and College Park.
Trails are not plowed or maintained for safe passage under snow and icy conditions.

Etiquette on the Trail
Tips to Stay Safe

Etiquette on the Trail

Be courteous to other trail users.
Pedestrians have the right-of-way.
Stay to the right; pass on the left.
When on roadways, remember to ride with traffic, but walk and run against traffic.
Bicyclists should ride at speeds that are safe for current conditions: generally 10-15 miles per hour.
Bicyclists stopping along the trail, should move off the pavement to avoid accidents and blocking the path for other users.
Pedestrians and cyclists traveling two-abreast must yield to on-coming and overtaking traffic.
When approaching or overtaking pedestrians, give courteous but audible, advance warning using voice, bell or horn to avoid startling.
With the exception of motorized wheelchairs, motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trail.
Pets should be kept on a short leash, and people must clean up after their pets.
Horses should be kept on the grass shoulder, when possible.