Park & Facility Maintenance

Maintenance Work 

Maintenance work is an important link in presenting an award-winning park and recreation system in Prince George’s County. The Department relies on regular maintenance schedules to keep the park system looking good.

Submit Requests

Patrons can play a role to request maintenance attention to a park, playground, trail, or other facility. Please submit a maintenance request form or contact the Customer Service Help Desk at (301) 699-2255 during regular business hours.

Responsibilities

Each of the three geographic areas of the county-Northern, Central, and Southern-has crews with daily maintenance responsibilities for parks, community centers, playgrounds, ball fields, and other facilities in those areas. This includes:

  • Cleaning buildings
  • Fencing and gate repair
  • Field and court maintenance
  • Installation and repair of athletic equipment
  • Mowing
  • Picnic area maintenance
  • Routine maintenance of bridges, roads, and trails
  • Trash pickup and litter control

These maintenance teams also support festivals and community events in the park system.

Maintenance Projects

The Maintenance and Development staff handles all major maintenance projects, including large-scale, technical work involving trades such as:

  • Carpentry
  • Electrical
  • HVAC
  • Masonry
  • Painting
  • Plumbing
  • Welding

Additional Duties

This group also manages:

  • Athletic field renovation
  • Horticulture and forestry services
  • Preventive maintenance inspections
  • Vehicle repairs
Form

Maintenance Request Form

Name
Address
Lead Testing

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation recently conducted specialized testing to assess lead levels in rubberized play surfaces.

54 of the Department’s playgrounds contain Poured-in-Place (PIP) rubber surfacing to enhance accessibility while reducing the likelihood of serious injuries from falls.

Riverdale Park School Playground

Surface testing at the 54 playgrounds indicated that EPA standards were met, with the exception of the playground at Riverdale Park School. The conclusion of the testing showed levels of lead above the EPA standards within rubber surfacing, resulting in the immediate closure of the playground to the public.

The Department posted signage on the entrance gate to announce the closure. Repairs are currently in progress and all rubber surfaces will be removed and replaced with Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF): a processed wood (approx. 2″ length max.), ground to a fibrous consistency, free of hazardous elements, and engineered specifically for playgrounds. Upon completion of the renovations, retesting will be conducted prior to reopening to ensure compliance.

More information on the Department’s testing of lead in playground surfaces can be found here.

Contact the Help Desk for reporting and checking the status of maintenance issues in our parks and facilities.

Reach us

Parks & Recreation Help Desk

FAQ

Why did we start testing lead in the County’s playgrounds?

Testing was initiated after dozens of District of Columbia Public School playground surfaces were tested as having elevated levels of potentially toxic lead in 2019.

How frequently do we test for lead at playgrounds?

This is the first time that we have tested all existing playgrounds.

Will we continue to use Poured-In-Place (PIP)?

Our typical playground uses use Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) surfacing. EWF is a processed wood (approx. 2″ length max.), ground to a fibrous consistency, free of hazardous elements, and approved by the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA). It is engineered specifically for playgrounds and is free of twig and leaf material. However, each site will be evaluated to determine the best surface. Site conditions or programmatic needs may make poured-in-place a preferred surface. For example, a site that is in the flood plain may be a good candidate for PIP.

How long will the remediation work take at Riverdale?

The remediation work to be completed by HAZMAT specialists will be completed by Summer 2021. Full-depth play surface and base to be removed to soil depth and tested for EPA complicated standards prior to replacing new EWF wood fiber safety surfacing material.

What is the long-term strategy for keeping Prince George’s County residents safe?

The Department is committed to providing a safe play environment for Prince George’s County families. Rubberized surface playgrounds are recommended to be tested annually to meet EPA standards. Any future PIP surfacing will be tested before the playground is opened for use. The Park Planning and Development Division is finalizing a playground replacement plan and can incorporate recommendations for a 10-year life cycle prior to further deterioration to keep play spaces safe and maintained. The Department will determine future playground surfacing standard use of either EWF or PIP, decision points based on existing environmental site conditions, ADA needs, and community/facility director requests.

Fallen Trees

In compliance with existing Maryland Regulations, it is the property owner’s responsibility to remove fallen trees and debris from private property.

For more information on our compliance with Maryland Regulations, please see the following FAQ: Information for our Park Neighbors about Trees and attached publication from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service, Frequently Asked Questions: Fallen Trees on Private Property.

The Prince George’s County Parks & Recreation Help Desk is a one-stop shop for reporting and checking the status of maintenance issues in the Parks.

Reach Us

Parks & Recreation Help Desk

FAQ

How do I report tree-related concerns on parkland to Prince George’s County Parks & Recreation?

Call the Prince George’s County Parks & Recreation Help Desk at (301) 699-2255, or by email at customerservice@pgparks.com for non-emergencies.

Who is responsible for removing the tree or limbs that have fallen onto my property?

Under Maryland Law, fallen trees, or similar accidents that may be qualified as an “Act of God,” the affected owners are responsible for damages to their property, including cleanup, removal, and related expenses. These expenses may be covered under the homeowner’s insurance policy.

What is the status of my existing work request?

Call the Prince George’s County Parks & Recreation Help Desk at (301) 699-2255.

Why doesn’t Prince George’s County remove trees from private property?

The Arboriculture Section of Prince George’s County Parks Department has a duty to mitigate known risks associated with trees located on park property; especially, in and around amenities or areas where we invite the public. In compliance with existing Maryland state laws, it is the property owner’s responsibility to provide removal of trees, debris and make repairs to private property.

What is the process after a work request is created?

Our Senior Arborist will inspect the request within 3 to 5 business days. After inspection, the work is prioritized and scheduled with respect to the tree crew’s work program.

How does the Senior Arborist prioritize work requests?

The Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation Department has an active policy to maintain the safety of Parkland from potential damages and/or injury resulting from trees considered to be a “high risk” of failure. The Arboriculture Section strives to eliminate, in a timely fashion, any tree growing on Parkland that is deemed to be at high risk of failure. Priority is placed on trees deemed to create unsafe situations. The determination of the risk of failure associated with any given tree is determined by the Senior Arborist with respect to their professional experience and the International Society of Arboriculture’s Tree Risk Assessment standards.

What determines the timeline for the completion of work?

There are 568 parks in Prince George’s County which encompass over 29,000 acres of land. The Arboriculture Section consistently has numerous active work requests for tree work that have already been inspected, prioritized, and are waiting in queue to be completed by our staff of highly-trained tree professionals. Find the closest park in your area outfitted with different amenities.