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.
Developer: Gilbane
Project Manager: Stefano Terricola
Construction company: Delmarva Site Development
Project Manager: Jereme Vaught
Office: 443-292-8083; Mobile: 443-610-3063
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)
Strategic Trails Plan
Public Review of Part 1: Plan Summary, Priorities, and Recommendations (closed September 7, 2018).
Review the Strategic Trails Plan. Send comments to Robert Patten with the Subject Line: Strategic Trails Plan.
Trail Projects
Two current trail projects are scheduled to open for public access in early 2019. These trails will connect communities and facilitate access around major highways in the area. As we continue to grow and expand to meet your needs, review information about these trails, as well as other Department of Recreation New & Ongoing Projects in more detail. For more information, email Robert Patten, our Trail Planner and Program Manager.
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
- 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.
Tips to Stay Safe
- Never use the trails after dark. Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission trails are available for use from sunrise to sunset each day.
- Tell friends or family the route you'll be taking, and always travel with a partner, when possible.
- Be sure to carry identification (which includes name, phone number, and pertinent medical information), and record your bicycle serial number.
- Carry coins for phone calls, or have a cell phone.
- Keep valuables,such as cell phones and wallets, hidden.
- Don’t wear earphones.
- Wear reflective material, and carry a whistle or noisemaker.
- Bicyclists should always wear a helmet; helmet use is required by state law for those under age 16.
- Always carry tools to repair minor bike issues and have supplies to change a flat tire.
- Prior to using a new trail, take the time to familiarize yourself with the trail and plan your route.
- Stay alert, be observant about your surroundings, and avoid areas where visibility is poor.
- Use discretion when acknowledging strangers, and follow your intuition about unfamiliar people and areas.
- Avoid unfamiliar areas when on the trails alone.
Additional Information
Contact the Park and Planning help desk at 301-699-2255. Trail maps/brochures are available.