Paint Branch Stream Valley Park – A Nature Lovers Paradise

College Park is a unique community that caters to all types of people. It’s home to the University of Maryland and offers an abundance of green space, cool neighborhoods and time-honored architecture.

Paint Branch Stream Valley Park is a neighborhood park with a stream, playground, baseball field, tennis courts & hiking trails. The upper part of the Paint Branch Stream also supports naturally reproducing brown trout, making it one of the most significant aquatic species in the College Park area.

Location

Smack-dab in the middle of College Park, Paint Branch Stream Valley Park is a nature lover’s paradise. With a number of nature trails to choose from and lots of bridges spanning the water, this park is ideal for all sorts of outdoor activities.

The subwatershed of Paint Branch supports one of the highest quality aquatic biotic populations in the Anacostia watershed (Cummins et al. 1991). State regulators have designated the upper reaches of Paint Branch as Use III waters, supporting a naturally-reproducing Brown Trout population and pristine aquatic habitat.

Similarly, the lower reaches of Paint Branch have been classified as Use I waters and are renowned for their high aquatic biotic populations. However, they do not have the same pristine aquatic habitat and biota as the upper reaches of the stream.

Real estate in the College Park area varies by neighborhood, but many of the historic single family homes have been converted into apartments or condominiums. The Lakeland and Calvert Hills neighborhoods are both great options, offering nice historic houses, as well as new apartment homes.

Parking

The Paint Branch Stream Valley Park has no shortage of amenities, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a more engaging experience than soaking up some sunshine in a tree-shaded outdoor hot tub. For those who prefer to sweat it out indoors, the hotel’s fitness center has a full complement of equipment to keep you fit and healthy.

The park also boasts a slew of restaurants, bars and clubs in the area. Among them, the Hotel at the University of Maryland has one of the best names in town with its renowned dining and nightlife options.

The Alloy at College Park is another good bet, offering a selection of upscale student apartments and an impressive community amenity package to boot. In the words of the staff, our resident-focused community is “designed to be the envy of every student.” The name of the game is to help you make the most of your college experience by making you feel at home from the moment you walk through the door.

Trails

College Park has a number of trails to choose from. One of them is the Paint Branch Trail, which runs for 3.5 miles between Lake Artemesia and Cherry Hill Neighborhood Park.

It’s a part of the Anacostia Tributary Trail system and is primarily a hard surface trail. It’s easy to follow and gentle in grade.

The trail passes under University Boulevard and State Route 193 and skirts the edge of the Paint Branch Golf Course. It continues past the main campus of the University of Maryland and into a heavily wooded landscape.

A trail along Paint Branch would connect many of the destinations in Montgomery and Prince George’s County, create new outdoor opportunities and fulfill the promise of the ICC Trail. However, environmental concerns and the FDA campus barrier are a few factors that prevent new paved trails from being developed in the area.

Amenities

The Hotel at the University of Maryland has a lot going for it, including an indoor pool and a fully equipped fitness center. It also offers free WiFi and concierge services.

Located directly across the street from the main entrance to the University campus and 8.6 miles from Washington DC, it’s hard to beat the location of this College Park property. The Paint Branch Stream Valley Park is located within walking distance, and there are also many outdoor activities in the area to keep you busy.

If you’re looking to save on your vacation, consider one of the many motels in the area like Days Inn by Wyndham Alexandria South & Vienna Wolf Trap Hotel. They offer a variety of amenities and great discounts on room rates to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Some even have free breakfast. This area is also home to several top-rated resort hotels, like MGM National Harbor Resort & Casino and Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, which offer luxurious accommodations for both leisure travelers and business travellers alike.