City and county leaders are teaming up to tackle issues at Saddlebrook Park, like noisy parties and illegal ATV riding, by potentially taking over the park’s gate access and improving patrols to keep things in check.
Here are the highlights:
- City and county leaders met to address nuisances at Saddlebrook East Park.
- Residents have complained about non-permitted parties, ATV drivers, and car racing in the park.
- The park is under the jurisdiction of Maryland National Capital Park and Planning and features ball fields, a parking lot, and open green space.
- During the pandemic, the park was closed for three months, which reduced complaints.
- Frustration from residents led to the park’s reopening, resulting in a return of illicit activities.
- Parks Police are monitoring the park closely and have installed a license plate reader to identify repeat offenders.
- Strategies discussed include city officials assuming gate responsibilities and ensuring the park is closed after dusk.
- City police expressed interest in patrolling the park with a formal agreement from the county.
- Parking issues in city neighborhoods due to park events were raised, with suggestions for restrictions.
- It was agreed to start with gate access management and reassess nighttime closures to reduce nuisances.
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County, City Officials Collaborate on Saddlebrook Park
City and county leaders met Friday morning to address longstanding nuisances at Saddlebrook East Park, adjacent to the Bowie Race Track.
Residents in the Saddlebrook neighborhood abutting the park have long complained about non-permitted parties, ATV drivers, car racing, and other illicit activity in the largely empty park area accessible by Race Track Road.
The park, jurisdiction of Maryland National Capital Park and Planning, and its entrance and road, controlled by the owners of the Bowie Race Track, features two ball fields, a large parking lot, open green space, and short trail. It connects to the larger vacant race track property, and draws area dog walkers, cyclists, flag football leagues, and at times, illegal activity.
During the pandemic, County Parks Police, responding to numerous resident complaints about ATV riders and large illicit gatherings, obtained access to a lock and chain with permission from the race track owners. For three months during the summer of 2021, they simply closed the park, saying complaints stopped during that time.
Frustration from area residents that lawful users were being punished caused parks officials to reopen the park. ATV riders soon returned, as well as complaints about noise and area disturbances.
Parks Police stated Friday that Saddlebrook is at the top of their list to monitor, noting their police frequently patrol the park and respond to complaints. Last year, they installed a license plate reader saying it's helped identify repeat offenders.
They've also begun receiving notices when the park is formally rented, ensuring they have adequate patrols to deal with crowds.
The meeting, organized by Prince George's County Councilmember Ingrid Watson, focused on collaborative strategies to continue to curb nuisance activity.
City Community Services officials offered to assume gate responsibilities, provided the race track owners agreed. They stated they could add opening and closing the park entrance to their normal rounds, ensuring the park is shut to visitors after dusk, when much of the illicit behavior takes place.
City police expressed an interest in an agreement with the county to patrol the park. Currently, the property is off limits to city law enforcement, something the county could change with a formal agreement with city police.
City personnel also raised the issue of crowded parking in city neighborhoods for event gatherings at the park. City staff noted that parking restrictions have been successfully implemented in other Bowie neighborhoods to curb excess visitor parking.
Councilman Estève asked the city to reach out to the local HOA and residents before implementing any parking changes. "We don't want to solve one problem and immediately create a new one."
County Councilmember Watson agreed, indicating she could take the lead coordinating with the HOA and residents.
It was agreed the city would start with the strategy of taking over gate access to the park and revisiting whether the nighttime closure helps reduce nuisances. The takeover would occur once permission is obtained from the property owners.
Parking restrictions and further park closures could be adopted as subsequent measures should problem behavior continue. Residents observing concerning behavior at the park are encouraged to call Park Police at 301-868-2999.