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Council urges county response on Riverside Neighborhood Park bathrooms, field access
Summary
Residents and council members reported long‑standing restroom closures and field reservation difficulties at Riverside Neighborhood Park. Staff said they have reached out to county parks staff; the council said it will escalate to county leadership if there is no timely response.
Riverdale Park, Md. — Council members pressed county park officials over the availability and maintenance of facilities at the Riverside Neighborhood Park during the July 7 Riverdale Park Town Council meeting, citing resident complaints about closed restrooms and difficulty reserving the softball field.
Council member Lingua described conversations with residents and a local event organizer who sought restroom access for a seven‑hour event and was told Park and Planning would not open the bathrooms despite repeated requests. Lingua said residents have reported the restroom building has been closed for about nine years and that one resident told council staff a $1,000,000 insurance requirement had been cited as a barrier to reserving the field.
Deputy Town Manager Bartz said staff has reached out to county Park and Planning and to William Tyler, identified during the meeting as the county’s director of parks and recreation, and expects a reply in the coming days. Bartz told the council staff would continue outreach and report back. Council members said if county staff do not respond promptly they will escalate the matter to county elected leaders.
Council members also relayed concerns about infield maintenance at the softball field and competing uses that create conflict for local pickup groups; staff noted county maintenance capacity is limited, and the county uses one field grader as part of a county‑wide maintenance schedule.
Next steps: staff will continue outreach to county parks staff, provide updates to the council, and the mayor and council agreed to send letters to the county leadership if the county does not respond in a timely fashion.
