Bowie parks offer fun and relaxation
 Allen Pond is a great place to take the family and enjoy paddle boats. It is located off Route 197 on Northview Drive, south of Route 50. Allen Pond is on an 85-acre tract that also includes the Bowie Ice Arena and Opportunity Park. There are paved hiker/biker trails around the pond and throughout the park. There is a handicapped-accessible floating dock and six ball fields. There are three soccer fields, two softball fields, and one combination soccer/softball field. Each are lighted and available for public use by calling the Recreation Office at City Hall, 301-809-3011.
Picnic areas are available for group rentals as well as areas with picnic tables for families on a first-come, first-served basis. Rentals for groups are available from January through October each year. Reservations must be made at City Hall in the Recreation Office, 301-809-3011.
 Fishing is allowed at Allen Pond. Paddle boat, canoe and rowboat rentals are available or private watercraft permits may be obtained at the boathouse. Recreational equipment is available to user groups during boathouse hours of operation. A valid driver’s license and a refundable deposit of $10 are required for each sport. Equipment is available for volleyball, softball, basketball, shuffleboard and horseshoes.
Sunday Sunset Concert Series is held every Sunday evening, Memorial Day through Labor Day. A one-hour concert is presented at 7 p.m. at the amphitheater in the park and is free to the public.
Blacksox Park is located at 2200 Mitchellville Road and is a 70-acre park primarily designed for baseball and softball. This park was once home of the Mitchellville Tigers and Washington Blacksox, two Negro League baseball teams.
Bowie Dog Park, located on Northview Drive, is a place where dogs can run off-leash and play with other dogs in a protected environment. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk, except for city of Bowie-observed holidays. For information, visit www.cityofbowie.org. See Dog Park Rules.
Doroto Campbell teaches her daughter Alexis to stake at Bowie Ice Rink. |
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Bowie Ice Arena underwent a $1.2 million renovation in recent years. It has two party rooms, a pro shop, snack bar and four locker rooms with showers. Approximately 70,000 to 80,000 people visit the rink each year during its 10-month season, from dedicated athletes to people out for the occasional skate.
Bowie Ice Arena offers group lessons and is open July through April. For information, call the ice arena, 301-809-3011.
Buckingham Park is a 10-acre community park. Space is available to rent; there are two pavilions and two group areas. It has baseball and softball fields, a walking/biking trail, volleyball court, basketball court and game tables. It is located at 2800 Barberry Lane.
Enfield Chase Park is a 10-acre sports area with tennis courts, playground equipment, soccer field and a picnic area. It is located on Northview Drive.
Foxhill Park, located on Route 197, is a 45-acre multiuse park with lighted tennis courts, ball fields, picnic areas, playground equipment and a stocked lake. Fishing is allowed in the lake. You must have a fishing license.
High Bridge Park on High Bridge Road, is a 12-acre multiuse park area with tennis courts, ball fields, a picnic pavilion, playground equipment and a basketball court.
Huntington South Park, off 11th Street in Old Bowie, is a 15-acre park with tennis courts, a basketball court, playground equipment, soccer/football fields and a picnic area.
Opportunity Park is located within the grounds of Allen Pond Park. It includes a 100 percent disabled accessible tot lot, playground, fitness cluster, sensory trail and fishing pier.
Pope's Creek Park is located off Geoffrey Lane in the High Bridge Park development. It contains a soccer field, softball field and picnic facilities.
Tanglewood Park is a 105-acre passive park with trails for hiking. It is located off Zug Road.
Veterans Park, located on Lanham-Severn Road in Old Bowie, honors war veterans of Bowie.
Whitemarsh Park, located on Route 3 South, is a 210-acre multiuse park which includes the Bowie Playhouse, four lighted ball fields, picnic areas and pavilions, a campfire circle, hiking and biking trails and a playground. The picnic areas, campfire circle, ball fields and playhouse are available for reservations by calling 301-809-3011.
For information on any of the parks, call the Recreation Office, 301-809-3011.
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