Greenbelt Park, after re-opening in November 2021, is now fully operational with a bevy of interpretive programming in the planning stage. During a shutdown period that coincided with the pandemic’s restrictions on social distancing, the park was given time to make many renovations and upgrades to the roads, bridges, campgrounds, picnic areas and trails. Representatives of the National Park Service’s National Capital Parks-East (NACE), Tonya Thompson, senior advisor to the park superintendent, and Darryl McLeod, acting program manager and maintenance director, met with the Greenbelt City Council on February 2 to report on the latest happenings and developments at the park.
According to the representatives, NACE administers over 8,000 acres of 13 historic, cultural and recreational parks, including Greenbelt Park, along with a section of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and all of Suitland Parkway for which they do snow and trash removal, and the removal of hazardous trees. McLeod leads a team of 15 workers at the park that is responsible for the maintenance of buildings, utilities and trails. Outside of this are park rangers and police, as well as interpretive staff who work in a collaborative manner.
With the renovation and unanticipated Covid closing, revenue for the park was negatively affected. McLeod was not clear on the extent, saying that as the park has only recently re-opened, a full assessment was difficult to make.
Thompson said that she would follow up with council on the status of adequate staffing, with many staff working from home and others being routed to other parks.
Council asked if the grading work at Capitol Cadillac and the coming Royal Farms gas station (approved by the Prince George’s County District Council and in the permitting phase, with construction likely to begin in the spring) would present stormwater management concerns. McLeod said that he would look into whether Environmental Protection Agency requirements were observed. Councilmember Judith Davis indicated that, according to Royal Farms, the approach is adequate yet council was skeptical.
Councilmember Rodney Roberts questioned the frequent stormwater strategy of cutting trees and building ponds, saying that simply leaving trees would be more environmentally prudent and logistically sound, as ponds are a short-term fix at best.
Thompson said that efforts will begin soon to address making the park and its trails more accessible, especially for pedestrians.
Council offered its assistance in opposing the maglev train proposal and the possible widening and state control of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, since both would have a major negative impact on the park.
Council asked McLeod to determine who is responsible for maintenance on the Spellman Overpass as it is in clear need of maintenance on its rusting safety fence and concrete footings.
McLeod said that there is a maintenance crew that regularly evaluates the stormwater drains on the Parkway to make sure they can adequately handle water from anticipated rainstorms.
There was a discussion of pedestrian and vehicular safety at the Greenbelt Road ramp off the northbound Parkway, as the sightline is obscured by overhanging trees. Council asked McLeod to look into what entity is responsible for addressing this, with there being speculation that perhaps the lane needs to be redesigned.
Council expressed its desire to continue a close relationship with the Park Service, offering city staff and outlets, like the city website and the Greenbelt News Review, as ways of getting information out to residents. Council shared its pride in having a national park in the close vicinity of its community, with Mayor Emmett Jordan calling it “a not so hidden gem.”
After the meeting’s agenda closed, Davis informed those present that the Forest Preserve Advisory Board has been made aware of the issue of trash and fallen trees at the newly-established Forest Preserve site at Greenbriar, saying that there will be discussions over scheduling a volunteer clean-up as well as a walk-through assessment.