News Detail
M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department Wins 2026 Maryland Planning Award
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
News Release
For Immediate Release:
October 22, 2026
M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department Wins 2026 Maryland Planning Award
Planning Department Receives Best Community Engagement Award for Walker Mill CDC Youth Wellness and Opportunities Assessment
LARGO, MD – The Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) won the 2026 Maryland Planning Award from the American Planning Association Maryland Chapter (APA MD) for Best Community Engagement for the Walker Mill CDC Youth Wellness and Opportunities Assessment. Derived from a community-driven initiative and guided by youth voices and adult stakeholders, the assessment addresses the needs of nearly 2,400 youth across three communities in Prince George’s County, Maryland – who are often underrepresented in planning processes. The recommendations and lessons learned over the course of the two-year study can be applied countywide. The award was presented at the 2026 APA MD Conference on Monday, October 19, 2026, in Ellicott City, Maryland.
“This recognition from our industry peers reflects our unwavering commitment to inclusive and equitable engagement with the youth, community stakeholders, and residents to realize the vision outlined in Plan Prince George’s 2035 Approved General Plan and the Subregion 4 Master Plan,” said James Hunt, Acting Director of the M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department. “The robust and intentional community outreach for the Walker Mill CDC Youth Wellness and Opportunities Assessment focused on health, wellness, and opportunity goals to produce an implementation-ready framework and matrix to guide Walker Mill CDC and its partners in carrying out the recommendations.”
About the Walker Mill Youth Wellness and Opportunities Assessment
The Youth Wellness and Opportunities Assessment was developed for the Walker Mill Community Development Corporation (CDC) by the M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department through the Planning Assistance to Municipalities and Communities (PAMC) program. With funding approved by the Prince George’s County Planning Board, the assessment aims to highlight community-identified challenges and propose solutions to reduce crime, violence, mental illness, and addiction while improving health and educational outcomes for nearly 2,400 historically underserved youth between the ages of 13 and 24 across three communities within Prince George’s County. The youth-driven assessment produced a Vision for Youth and identified six priority areas:
Jobs and Career Success
Health, Mental Health, and Wellness
Community Safety
School and Educational Opportunity
Quality of Life and Community Spaces
Family Engagement and Support
For more information on the PAMC program and to view and download a copy of the publication, visit https://pgplan.org/pamc.
About the Prince George’s County Planning Department
The Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is responsible for preserving, protecting, and managing the county’s resources through high-quality planning services and growth management guidance. Our mission is to promote economic vitality, environmental sustainability, design excellence, and quality development that promotes healthy lifestyles in Prince George’s County. Visit our website, www.pgplanning.org, to learn how you can become engaged in shaping the future of your community.
Assistance
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission encourages the participation of persons with disabilities in all its programs and services. Register two weeks in advance to receive a disability accommodation. Call the Public Affairs Office at 301-952-3038, email PublicAffairs@ppd.mncppc.org, or complete the online form.
Contact:
Calista Black
Chief Communications Officer
calista.black@mncppc.org | 301-952-3038
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