What is PARKS DIRECT?
PARKS DIRECT is Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County’s website for activity registering, picnic shelter renting, garden plot booking, tee time scheduling, camping ground reserving, summer camp enrolling, and more!
Below are some common PARKS DIRECT questions that you may be wondering.
While this list answers a lot, it may not have what you need. For further assistance, please send us an email at [email protected] or give us a call at 301-699-2255.
What’s an activity and what’s a section?
Activities are the classes and programs run by Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. Examples of our activities include swimming lessons, summer day camps, piano classes, computer skills courses, fitness coaching classes, and more.
Activities are organized into sections, which are ultimately what you’ll enroll in. Typically, there are several sections of the same activity to choose from, so hopefully you'll find a section that fits your schedule.
You can browse our activities and their sections online on the Activity Search page. Try using the filters Type, Season, and Category to narrow the page’s results. Then remember to hit the Search button after you update the filters!
If you look closely, PARKS DIRECT labels activities and sections with codes, which is how you can differentiate them from one another. For example, this is what a code looks on PARKS DIRECT.
When signing up for an activity or event, please ensure you are registering for the correct location!
When an activity shows that it is Available, that means it has open positions, but that does not mean it is currently open for registration. Depending on if you live in Prince George's County, an Impact Area for the Sports and Learning Complex, or outside those regions, your registration date will differ.
What is a PARKS DIRECT ticket?
The Parks and Recreation Department hosts live performances throughout the year. You can browse for events on PARKS DIRECT’s Ticket Search page.
Try using the filters Location and Type to narrow the page’s results. Then remember to hit the Search button after you update the filters!
To learn how you can purchase tickets online, head on over to our how-to guide on purchasing tickets on PARKS DIRECT.
Information regarding Trips
Trips are rare special outings that sometimes have special requirements to register for. If you would like to take a look at our offerings and see if you are eligible, please refer to the Trip Calendar.
After selecting an event on the calendar, a pop-up will appear on the bottom of the page, with the Trip Code. In this example, the trip code is CSSAC-20231218. The first part refers to the facility or division hosting the trip, in this case Camp Springs Senior Activity Center. The second part refers to the date of the event 2023 12 18. Sometimes, a trip can be run multiple times a day. In that case, there will be a letter at the end to reference the order and group e.g., A, B, C, and so on.
Once you add the event to the cart, it will ask you the headcount for the trip. At this point, if you are not eligible for the trip the website will notify you and prevent you from registering.
Some more questions answered
Q: How do I see what Activities Parks and Recreation offers?
Every season, Parks and Recreation offers a slew of new activities and popular mainstays. The Your Guide to Parks and Recreation is the best way to see what’s offered each season. You can sign up for a mailed copy, visit your nearest Parks and Recreation facility and pick up a copy, or review our digital copy here: https://www.pgparks.com/1342/Publications-Library
Q: There are so many offerings available. How can I narrow down PARKS DIRECT’s search results?
If you’re browsing for activities on PARKS DIRECT, filters are your friend! The filters on the left of the Activity Search webpage will help you precisely nail down what you’re searching for. Some of the best filters to start with are the Type (aquatics, childcare, performing arts), Season (Summer, Summer day camps, school year), and Category (adults, children, mixed ages).
The Keyword Search box is also a useful tool, although it can be too smart for its own good. It is very specific in what it finds.
And remember! Hit that search button on the bottom-left of the webpage after you’ve updated the filters or entered something into the Search box.
Q: How do I register for an activity?
Your first step to registering in an activity will be to create a PARKS DIRECT account. We also have a how-to guide for first time PARKS DIRECT users.
Then you can use this how-to guide to see how to register in an activity.
Q: I'm trying to sign up my child for summer camp, but PARKS DIRECT says I need to fill out a "participant information section." What's that?
The section collects vital camper information like: who is the camper'rs doctor is, who the participant’s emergency contact is, can the participant swimmer or not, etc.
If this is the first time you're registering for a summer camp, go to our how-to guide for first time participants.
If you've registered for a summer camp before and need to update the "participant information section," you'll want to go to this how-to guide to see how you can update the information we have on file.
For more information on Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County day camp forms, you'll want to visit this webpage: https://www.pgparks.com/632/Day-Camp-Forms
Q: The activity’s section is full. What should I do?
Join the section’s waitlist! You never know whether a space will open.
You can go to our how-to guide on enrolling in a waitlist to see how.
Q: When can I sign up for an activity?
Registration begins one month before each session. For a session’s actual registration dates, visit http://www.pgparks.com/1342/Publications-Library or pick up a copy of the seasonal Your Guide to Parks and Recreation.
For more information on registration days, you can go to our help article.
Q: My plans changed, and I can’t make it to the activity I signed up for. How can I cancel my registration?
To cancel an activity, you’ll need to first sign in to PARKS DIRECT. Then select the My Account button on the top-right corner of the website, and the Cancellations link on the navigation bar. Next, you will want to scroll down and press the yellow Cancel Item button to the left of the activity you can’t attend.
You can go to our how-to guide on canceling a section.
For more information on cancellations, withdrawls, and refunds, you can head on over to this webpage: https://www.pgparks.com/1323/Withdrawal-Refund-Policy
Q: PARKS DIRECT is blocking me from joining an activity. How can I join?
Our activities have "registration rules" that, if not met, will block you or your account's family members form joining an activity. For example, an activity may limit who can participate based on whether they are old enough or too young.
For more information on "registration rules" you can go to our help article.
Through PARKS DIRECT, you can either rent a park’s picnic shelter -- an open-air structure with tables, grills, and restroom access -- or you can rent a park’s building -- an enclosed facility and boasts more amenities than picnic shelters.
Garden plots are also available through PARKS DIRECT, and spaces go fast!
Some Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County rental facilities can’t be reserved through PARKS DIRECT. For example, to book a community center’s room, you’ll need to contact the community center that has the space you’d like to rent.
For more information on our permit policies, please go here: https://pgparks.com/1349/Permits
Q: Where can I rent a picnic shelter?
Picnic shelters are available at Acredale Park, Auth Village Park, Calvert Park, Fairwood Park, Fletcher's Field Park, Highbridge Park, North Barnaby Park, Oxon Run Park, Paint Branch Park, Rose Valley Park, Temple Hills Park, University Hills Park, Walker Mill Regional Park, Watkins Regional Park, and Cosca Regional Park.
To see how to rent a picnic shelter on PARKS DIRECT, you can use our how-to guide.
Still have questions about picnic shelters? For more information, you can go to: https://pgparks.com/1398/Picnic-Shelters
Q: Where can I rent a Park Building?
Park Buildings are available at Adelphi Manor Community Park, Ardmore Neighborhood Park, Birchwood City Park, Bradbury Park, Brooke Road Neighborhood Park, Fort Foote Neighborhood Park, Jesse J. Warr Neighborhood Park, Lane Manor Park, Lincoln Vista Park, Lynnalan Park, Millwood Park, Oakcrest Park, Parklawn Park, Suitland Water Tower, T. Howard Duckett Park, Vansville Park, West Lanham Hills Park, and Woodlawn Park.
To see how to rent a Park Building on PARKS DIRECT, you can use our how-to guide.
Still have questions about Park Buildings? For more information, you can go to: https://pgparks.com/582/Park-Building-Rental
Q: Where are garden plots available?
Plots are available at Cherry Hill Park, Rollins Avenue Park, Old Landover Hills Park, Walker Mill Regional Park, Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex, and Watkins Regional Park.
To see how to rent a garden plot on PARKS DIRECT, you can use our how-to guide.
Still have questions about garden plots? For more information, you can go to: https://pgparks.com/546/Community-Garden-Plots
Q: Do park permits require a security deposit?
Yes, picnic shelters require a $100 security deposit, and park buildings require a $200 security deposit. Following a passed facility inspection, we will return security deposits within two to three weeks.
Q: Can I rent a community center or its rooms with PARKS DIRECT?
Not with PARKS DIRECT. You can rent any of Parks and Recreation’s community centers and rooms, but you’ll need to contact the community center where you want to schedule your rental.
Still have questions about renting a community center and its room? For more information, you can go to: https://pgparks.com/3369/Community-Centers-Rental
Q: What about the Department of Parks and Recreation Historic Venues of Prince George’s County? Can I reserve those through PARKS DIRECT?
No. But if you’d like to reserve one of our historic venues -- Billingsley House, Newton White Mansion, Prince George's Ballroom, Oxon Hill Manor, and Snow Hill Manor -- you can go to this webpage for more information: https://pgparks.com/1643/Historic-Rental-Properties
Q: I need to cancel my rental. What should I do?
On PARKS DIRECT, you’ll need to select My Account > Cancellations. Then select the yellow Cancel Item button next to your rental and proceed to checkout.
You can use our how-to guide to learn how to submit a cancellation on PARKS DIRECT.
For more information on cancellations, withdrawls, and refunds, you can head on over to this webpage: https://www.pgparks.com/1323/Withdrawal-Refund-Policy
Q: Where can I go camping?
Camping is available at Watkins Regional Park, Cosca Regional Park, and Patuxent River Park.
Q: How do I reserve my camping space?
Make sure you have your PARKS DIRECT account ready. Then go to one of our camping webpages.
For more information on camping, head over to our how-to guide on how to rent our campsites.
Q: How do I purchase a community center’s membership?
To purchase a community center membership, you’ll need to visit one of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County’s community center.
Check out our PARKS DIRECT help article on memberships for more information.
Q: Are there memberships available on PARKS DIRECT?
Yes, on PARKS DIRECT, you can purchase aquatics memberships for Allentown Splash Park, Fairland Sports and Aquatics Complex, Rollingcrest-Chillum Splash Pool, Southern Area Aquatic & Recreation Complex, Prince George'sSports and Learning Complex, Southern Regional Aquatic Wellness Center, and Theresa Banks Memorial Aquatics Center.
You can visit PARKS DIRECT’s Membership Search webpage to check out our aquatics membership offerings.
0 Comments
Add your comment