Project UpdatesAnacostia River Park TrailsTrail enthusiasts will be excited by the design and construction of two related trails linking Prince George's County to Washington, DC. A 1.5-mile section of the trail will link the Bladensburg Waterfront Park to the Kenilworth Aquatics Gardens and eventually to the National Mall. A second .90-mile section of the Anacostia River Trail will link to the West Hyattsville and Fort Totten Metro stations and connect to the Metropolitan Branch Trail in Washington, DC. Design of the Prince George's County trail sections have begun. The new trails are being funded in part by the State of Maryland.Brentwood Art Center A new art gallery with classroom space is coming to Brentwood. A 3,500-square-foot space at the new Brentwood Art Center, located within the Gateway Arts and Entertainment District, will be renovated as a joint project of the Gateway Community Development Corporation and the M-NCPPC's Arts and Cultural Heritage Division. Gateway will own and operate the building, and is funding the renovation of individual studio space to be rented by artists. M-NCPPC is contributing funding toward the renovation of classrooms and an art gallery. The art gallery will feature exhibitions of work by regional artists and will also have a retail area for fine craft items. Classrooms will be used for art classes and children's summer art camps. The facility is expected to open in winter 2009/2010. Fairwood Community Park The Fairwood community, located near the intersection of MD 450 and MD 193, is set on a tract of land with a distinguished history. From the birthplace and childhood home of Oden Bowie (34th Governor of Maryland from 1869-1872) to the cradle of the Maryland thoroughbred horse racing industry, this area is steeped in tradition.The proposed 30-acre Fairwood Community Park reflects the formality of the magnificent estate homes that once occupied this site, but with a punch of fun to attract residents of all ages and interests. Incorporated in the design are a double allee of trees along Gathering and Dining Plazas, a history walk with interpretative elements, turf fields for organized play, an amphitheater with a performance stage, and a play area that features new and innovative play elements that will entertain all age groups. The Fairwood Community Park will begin construction in the Fall of 2009, with completion of the park amenities scheduled for Summer 2010. Fort Washington Forest Community CenterThe Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is coordinating the final construction phase for the new Fort Washington Forest Community Center, a 22,300-square-foot facility located on Fillmore Road in Fort Washington, Maryland. The new community center is adjacent to the Fort Washington Forest Elementary School and will share a gymnasium with the school. The community center also will include a multipurpose room, fitness and game rooms, computer lab, and space for arts and crafts classes. When the new community center opens, it will be one of 43 community centers operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation throughout Prince George’s County.The Fort Washington Forest Community Center, last projected to be completed by the opening of school in August 2009, has been further delayed by ongoing construction-related disputes. Although M-NCPPC is aggressively resolving the disputes, at this time it cannot predict an opening date for the community center. After the disputes are resolved, M-NCPPC will provide an anticipated opening date for the community center. Glenarden Community Center/Theresa Banks Aquatics CenterThis complex is closed for renovations and improvements, with a projected reopening date in 2010. During the interim, a wing of the current center will be demolished and a new, larger gymnasium will be added. The existing gym footprint will be redesigned to include spaces typically found today in a staffed Community Center. While the community center and aquatics center are closed, all classes will be relocated to other facilities. Please contact the center directly, or the Central Area Office at 301-218-6700 if you have any questions.When the complex reopens, the community will have:
In addition to a fabulous new community center and improved aquatics center, additional outdoor work is scheduled to begin after the complex has re-opened. The ball field will be upgraded and a new lighting system installed. Existing play equipment will be removed and the play area will be relocated to an area adjacent to the building, so the children will no longer need to cross the drive lanes. An equivalent play environment of innovative, creative and fun play structures will be installed.
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