11000 Thrift Rd
Clinton, MD 20735
3 out of 5 swings
This park was definitely interesting to say the least. It has lots of shade with beautiful tall trees, a lake, picnic areas with grills, walking trails, volleyball, paddle boats, a train, a nature center AND a skate park! ( I had never seen one of these in a state park before... ) It also has one of the most amazing playgrounds ever... it was like the SUPER DUPER sized playground. (As i looked back through my pictures I realized I didn't even get a pic of the playground! DOH! ... Sorry. I'll do better next time.) It was great to see people out and about with their children. Enjoying the weather, fishing and having a picnic.
At first I was super excited about this find, but as I got further into the park, I realized something that made my heart sink. This park was very hilly and for some very strange reason, it was not at all accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. There were stairs everywhere! The playground sat atop a huge hill and luckily the parking lot I had parked at was next to it. However, when we decided to go down to the lake, far below the playground, I had to find alternative ways to get there, because there were two very steep sets of stairs on either side of the playground to get down to lower ground. Apparently I was not the only one with this issue either. A mother on the swing set next to me asked, "Excuse me, do you know how to get down to the lake with a stroller?" I exclaimed, "I'm looking for the same thing!" There was no way down. We had to go BACK OUT to the parking lot walk all the way to the end of the huge lot almost back out to the street and find a walking path that went down through this forested area. Then once we got to the bottom of the hill, guess what...? MORE STAIRS... I still had to push my stroller through rocks and mud! Everywhere I looked there were stairs.
Not to mention, once I got past the stairs issue, and got to the walking paths by the lake, I found that the paths ended abruptly and did not connect... So I again had to push stroller through grass or mud to get to the other sections... Who PLANNED this park anyway? It was very disappointing. The property was still very beautiful. The nature was awesome. Bray loved the little frog statue. But another issue I had was trash. Trash in the lake, trash on the grounds... garbage cans overflowing. It really took away from the beauty of this park.
Other than those issues, the park would work well for families with older kids. For my purposes of needing a park that worked well with my current situation, I cannot overlook the horrible inaccessibility issue. Bray and I liked the park, but we only give this one a 3 out of 5 swings.
12401 Quintette Lane
Bowie, MD 20720
4.5 out of 5 swings
This one holds near & dear to our hearts because it's our community park! We are very pleased with the quality and upkeep of this lovely little neighborhood park on the lake.
The park includes amenities such as picnic areas, pavilions and gazebos with grills, a fitness course, walking path around the lake, through the woods and through the neighborhood, a good-sized playground and a softball field. When we don't feel like traveling but just want to get out of the house and to a park we have a blast at this park.
Overall, Bray and I were very impressed so we gave it 4.5 out of 5 swings.
8311 John Downs Loop
Pasadena, MD 21122
4.5 out of 5 swings
Johns
Downs Park is a bit of a hidden gem! Though there is an entry fee to get
into the park, ($6 cash only) It's worth it to us. There's plenty of
room to run around and play, have a picnic, go to the playground, sit on
the benches or rocks and watch the waves crash from the Chesapeake Bay,
or catch some summer entertainment and live concerts. You can even take
your pup to the dog beach! There are also basketball courts and ball
fields!There are 5 miles worth of trails and 236 acres to this massive park.
Bray loved running around this park and exploring it's hilly terrain.
Overall, Bray and I were very impressed so we gave it 4.5 out of 5 swings.
301 Watkins Park Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
4 out of 5 swings
Watkins Regional Park is a huge park filled with activities including hiking trails, tennis courts,a baseball field, campgrounds and a playground. It also has a petting zoo, Nature Center, a carousel, a working miniature train and a mini-golf course. During the holidays, there is the drive-thru Festival of Lights. There are also family-fun events held throughout the year such as KinderFest and Craft Fairs. That's alot of action packed into one park!
What hinders the park a bit are the young, non-enthusiastic workers they hire and the deteriorating and somewhat dangerous playground flooring. While the mat-like material they used for the flooring is awesome and a great idea, there are gaping holes in some areas causing dangerous walking situations for toddlers.
Overall, Bray and I were very impressed so we gave it 4 out of 5 swings.
