Marlow Heights Community Center Replacement

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Join us for a groundbreaking ceremony to begin the renovations of Marlow Heights Community Center!

Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 3:30 pm
Address: 2800 Saint Clair Drive, Marlow Heights, MD 20748

Directions: Follow I-495 S/I-95 S to Auth Road in Camp Springs. Take exit 7A-7B from I-495 S/I-95 S. Then, take MD-5 N/Branch Avenue and 28th Avenue.

We encourage the participation of persons with disabilities; if you have special needs, please let us know by calling the Public Affairs and Community Engagement Division at 301-446-3300

Project Background/Description

On September 18, 2013, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission adopted Prince George’s County’s first comprehensive plan for parks, recreation, and open space. It is referred to as Formula 2040: Functional Master Plan for Parks, Recreation, and Open Space. This Plan provides policies to guide the planning of future parks, recreational programs, and maintenance service facilities as well as the rehabilitation and modernization of existing facilities.

A key recommendation of Formula 2040 is to move from the current model of building neighborhood-oriented community centers to constructing larger, multi-neighborhood-serving community centers or what is referred to in the Plan as “multigenerational community centers.” Multigenerational centers provide an array of programs, simultaneously, to serve the recreation and leisure needs and interests of an entire family.

According to the service standards defined in Formula 2040, there is a need for additional recreational and aquatic facilities within the Southern Area of Prince George’s County. The Plan recommended the transformation of Marlow Heights Community Center into a multigenerational center by adding 21,000-square feet of nonaquatic recreation space and 16,000-square feet of indoor aquatic recreation space.

In 2019, a feasibility study was conducted to look at the site and future needs. The study confirmed that a multigenerational community center was not viable due to the limited size of the site and recommended that the existing facility be demolished and replaced with a new facility to better meet the needs of the community.

The Marlow Heights Community Center Replacement project involves the design and construction of a new approximately 21,000 square-foot community recreation facility. The community center will include a gymnasium, a fitness center, a multipurpose room, a group fitness studio, and a community meeting room with a warming kitchen.