Spreading the Word: MNCCPC shows communities how to Come Out and Play

Back to Blog

Previous Article Next Article

Eleven-year-old Jamal Blakes was riding his bike through his neighborhood with a friend when he heard the music. Intrigued, he followed the sound to Westphalia Neighborhood Playground in Upper Marlboro, where he found not only the playground, tennis and basketball courts, but a DJ, games, a facepainter, and even the MNCPPC SkateMobile filled with hundreds of roller skates. Jamal wanted to stay, but first he went to get some friends and a pair of socks from home so he could skate. What Jamal had found was the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s seventh Come Out and Play event of 2011, held on June 22. This event is part of a series during which MNCPPC staff brings some extra attractions to Prince George’s County’s outdoor parks, to get families involved in nature and the community. “I looked it up online, but I didn’t know it was free,” said Lailanie Symonette, of Kettering. “I have six kids, so I’m always looking for free stuff to do.” For others, such as 12-year-old Ashley Drake, Come Out and Play was a pleasant surprise rather than a plan. “I’m glad I came to visit my grandparents… I love this neighborhood,” said Drake, as she showed off the blue heart she had painted on her arm. “It’s nice and quiet here… well except right now,” she laughed. In Westphalia, the park is placed within a residential community, so some families are not aware it is there. MNCPPC hopes to use events like Come Out and Play to make this neighborhoods like Westphalia more aware of their community resources. In order to fulfill this purpose, Victor Plaskett of Prince George’s County said that these events should be advertised more. “It’s well-staffed, well-organized,” he said, but “I wish there was a better way of getting the word out. Also present at the event was a poster showing the floor plan of the Westphalia Community Center, which is currently set to open in 2013.