King Park nears completion as Hyattsville begins a new project

By ETHAN THERRIEN

Hyattsville park systems are expected to see some major changes in the near future, as the city completes Robert J. King Memorial Park renovations and looks to revamp “The Spot” with new construction.

The changes to King Park, located on Gallatin Street, include two new gazebos and a picnic area on the south side of the park, as well as a nature-inspired playground — incorporating a design mimicking nature on the east side with some natural materials like wood, according to city documents. Drainage and landscaping changes have been made, as well, to accommodate the new equipment installation. 

King Park originally closed in November 2022 after significant wear and tear caused a reduction in park equipment quality, according to Hyattsville Public Information Officer Cindy Zork. Although the original estimate for park completion was spring 2024, a series of delays involving drainage issues with the new pavement have pushed back the final re-opening date.

According to Zork, the hope is that the changes will be completed this month.

“Contractors are currently completing the paved walkway and landscaping installation,” Zork said. She added that, weather pending, the park should reopen in “early September.”

This will come as good news for Hyattsville residents like Dan Broder, who has been anticipating the new-and-improved park and the opportunities it will provide for his children. 

“I’m excited for the park to open,” Broder said. “I’m looking forward to taking my kids there to play on the new equipment. I hope the renovation will address persistent flooding issues at the park.”

The Spot, a community gathering space set up on city-owned property at 4505 Hamilton Street in the summer of 2021, is the site of an up-and-coming park project. The construction, to begin at the end of this year, according to Zork, will change the property into a two-segment park separated by a vehicle path running through the middle. 

Some preliminary work has already been completed in order to prepare for construction, according to Zork. “The City has done some clean-up of the site and dug test pits to locate underground utilities,” she said in an email.

According to the final design, the new community hub will have a variety of features, including a large lawn in the center for recreational activities, playground, stage, seating area, pavilion, game table area and indoor restrooms. Bicycle parking will also be included on the east side of the park.

However, don’t expect The Spot’s new look to be done anytime soon. The city is still waiting for permits to be finalized, at which point construction can begin. According to Zork, these permits should be finalized by the end of 2024, allowing for the creation of a more lively park for Hyattsville residents. She expects construction to be done by the middle of 2025.

“We hope this space provides a hub for activity along the Trolley Trail, both for enjoyment of residents and to draw visitors off the trail and into the surrounding Arts District,” Zork said. “There are no specific programs planned for the space yet, but we envision being able to host music and performance-based events there, like the annual Summer Jams.”

Ethan Therrien is an undergraduate journalism student at the University of Maryland.