Local ParksLake Artemesia

Branchview/Ballew Avenue

Berwyn Heights, MD 20740

301-927-2163

Hours of Operation:

Sunrise to sunset daily

Bladensburg Waterfront Park

4601 Annapolis Rd.

Bladensburg, MD 20710

301-779-0371

Hours of Operation:

Sunrise to sunset daily

Visitor’s Center: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Watkins Regional Park

301 Watkins Park Dr.

Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

301-218-6700

Hours of Operation:

Sunrise to sunset daily

For the hours of operation of the facilities within the park, call the numbers below:

Old Maryland Farm: 301-218-6770

Watkins Tennis Bubble or outdoor tennis: 301-218-6870

Watkins Nature Center: 301-218-6702

Mount Rainier Nature/Recreation Center

4701 31st Pl.

Mount Rainier, MD 20712

301-927-2163

Hours of Operation:

Tuesday-Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It may seem hard to find any peace and quiet on the campus, especially with more than 35,000 students living here and commuting to and from the campus each day. However, the parks and grassy areas on and surrounding the campus can offer the serenity a bustling campus often can’t. 

 According to Jack Baker, the director of operations and maintenance of facilities at the university, these parks humanize the student experience at school, and a lot of emphasis is put on recreational and community areas on the campus. 

McKeldin Mall, La Plata Beach, Hornbake Plaza and the outdoor pool at the Eppley Recreation Center are all popular on-campus destinations, but ones many students say are crowded. And that may be the appeal. 

“I never dared to venture off campus by myself because the city of College Park has a high crime rate,” said Naisham Jamshidi, a 2007 alumna. She added there were plenty of outdoor spaces on the campus. And she’s not the only person that thinks so.

“There’s a lot of unofficial space in between buildings and you can just rest in between classes,” said James Masciuch, a 2009 graduate. “There’s space for everyone.” 

Baker agreed that there is plenty of space for all to enjoy.

“I’ve never heard someone complain,” he said. “I’m sure someone could always say, ‘It would be nice to have more green space,’ but our campus has more green space than most campuses I’ve seen.”

The grounds on the campus may be all the outdoor space some students need, but if it isn’t, a quiet spot can always be found at one of the parks close to the campus.

Lake Artemesia is one of these areas. Masciuch said he used to go to the lake with his dog.

While swimming isn’t allowed at the lake, those with a license can fish, and anyone can enjoy the scenery.

“There’s a path that links up with another that leads to D.C.,” Masciuch said. “Although it’s not the safest way to go, I liked it there. I would bike down there sometimes.” 

In addition to the lake, Bladensburg Waterfront Park, Watkins Regional Park and the Mount Rainier Nature/Recreation Center are all within dirving distance of the campus. 

Craig Kellstrom, a spokesman for the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation, said the Bladensburg Waterfront Park is located on the Anacostia River and you can picnic and boat there.

“There’s a picnic pavilion and a free boat ramp,” Kellstrom said. “There’s also a canoe and kayak boat rental facility open on the weekends.”

At Watkins Regional Park, Kellstrom said there is more than a mile of paved trail, outside tennis courts, a nature center and a farm with animals year-round (although it’s closed on Mondays). There is also a carousel and miniature train. At the Mount Rainier Nature/Recreation Center, students can walk along a tree trail and take part in interpretive programs related to nature.

ga@umdbk.com