Watkins Regional Park

Have you ever wondered what a park named after a tobacco farmer might hold? Watkins Regional Park, a sprawling 864-acre oasis, bears the name of Robert Watkins. He wasn’t a farmer, but the chairman of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. He played a key role in shaping Prince George’s County’s green spaces. Watkins Regional Park itself joined this network of parks in 1964. But the land’s story begins much earlier. In the 1600s, the Belt family established a vast estate here. Tobacco was their primary crop, though a section of the land remained wooded. William Seton Belt, the last of the family to reside on the property, passed away in 1959. Following his death, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission acquired a portion of the estate. This initial purchase totaled 437 acres. It marked the beginning of Watkins Regional Park. Since 1991, the park has nearly doubled in size. Ten additional land parcels, amounting to 427 acres, have been added to the park. Today, Watkins Regional Park offers a wealth of attractions. Visitors can explore the Watkins Nature Center. They can step back in time at the Old Maryland Farm. A ride on the Chesapeake Carousel is a must, a beautifully restored Dentzel carousel from the turn of the century. There’s an 18-hole miniature golf course. A miniature train chugs along, delighting children and adults alike. Two imaginative playgrounds spark creativity. Picnic pavilions offer spots for leisurely meals. And a network of trails winds through the park’s natural areas. Over a million people visit Watkins Regional Park each year. They come for the recreational activities, festivals, and special events. And amidst all this, the park retains a connection to its agricultural past. Large fields, still used for farming, stand as a reminder of the county’s heritage.