Community Profile

A Strategic Location with Regional Impact

The Town of Forest Heights is strategically positioned at the nexus of the Capital Region. Bordered by the Capital Beltway (I-495), Indian Head Highway (MD 210), and adjacent to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, the town offers unparalleled connectivity to Washington, D.C., Alexandria, National Harbor, and surrounding regional employment centers. This geographic advantage allows Forest Heights to serve as a vital link between suburban neighborhoods and the nation's capital, making it an attractive location for commuters, businesses, and government partnerships. Its accessibility supports not only economic development but also regional mobility and intergovernmental collaboration. The town is increasingly recognized for its role in shaping transportation planning, infrastructure modernization, and equitable development across the metropolitan area.

A Legacy of Environmental Leadership

Forest Heights has distinguished itself as an environmental pioneer in Prince George's County. As a certified Sustainable Maryland community, the town actively champions clean energy adoption, stormwater mitigation, and green public infrastructure. Our portfolio ranges extends from our fleet of electric vehicles, to the installation of solar panels on municipal buildings, including the Department of Public Works and police storage facilities, which not only offsets energy consumption but generates annual revenue that is reinvested in town programs.

In a landmark partnership with the Prince George's County Department of the Environment, Forest Heights initiated a large-scale tree planting effort that includes the addition of over 1,500 native trees. This initiative significantly expands the town's urban canopy, improves air quality, mitigates flooding, and enhances biodiversity. These efforts align with broader regional climate goals and reinforce Forest Heights' leadership in community-based environmental stewardship.

America in Bloom: Beautification with Purpose

Forest Heights is actively preparing for formal participation in the nationally recognized America in Bloom program. Though not yet a designated awardee, the town has hosted America in Bloom evaluators and begun integrating their best practices into its beautification strategy. These include native landscaping, floral displays, heritage conservation, and environmental education.

The town has installed pollinator gardens, expanded public green spaces, and facilitated resident-led beautification projects. Civic groups, students, and seniors have all played a role, illustrating the power of inclusive engagement in reshaping public spaces. America in Bloom has provided a framework for balancing aesthetic enhancement with sustainability, helping Forest Heights create a unique sense of place while attracting visitors and improving quality of life.

Community Garden & Resident Engagement

The Forest Heights Community Garden is a vibrant, resident-managed project that symbolizes grassroots environmentalism and community pride. Supported by the town and maintained by volunteers, the garden produces seasonal vegetables, herbs, and flowers while serving as an educational space for youth programs and intergenerational learning.

Beyond providing food, the garden strengthens social bonds and fosters stewardship of public land. It is an accessible, inclusive space that encourages healthy lifestyles, reduces food insecurity, and engages residents in environmental awareness. This community-driven initiative represents a sustainable model for small-town resilience and civic innovation.

Public Safety & Community Services

Forest Heights provides localized, proactive public safety through its dedicated municipal police department. The department deploys community policing principles and technology-assisted enforcement tools to protect residents and reduce crime. Programs such as the Safe Routes to School initiative, in place since 2013, ensure safe pedestrian infrastructure around schools, reinforcing a long-term commitment to child safety and walkability.

The town also delivers comprehensive community services tailored to the needs of diverse populations. These include youth development programs (e.g., summer camps, reading events), wellness and mental health support, senior fitness activities, and food access efforts such as regular distributions and family nutrition education. These services are largely supported through state and federal grants, allowing Forest Heights to maximize impact while minimizing fiscal burden on residents.

Economic Development & Smart Growth

Forest Heights is actively pursuing an ambitious plan for annexation and economic revitalization. The town's economic development vision prioritizes the transformation of commercial corridors and underutilized properties into thriving centers of commerce and employment. Key assets such as the Harborside Hotel, Royal Farms, Top Golf, Eastover Shopping Center, and future retail anchors like Starbucks are part of this broader redevelopment strategy.

With a focus on smart growth, the town integrates infrastructure upgrades, code enforcement, transportation planning, and zoning modernization to support long-term economic sustainability. Grant-funded capital improvements are being used to attract investment, create jobs, and increase revenue streams that will support future municipal services and infrastructure needs. Forest Heights' smart growth model is built around the principle of equitable, community-oriented progress.

A Community That Cares

Forest Heights thrives on the strength of its civic spirit. Resident engagement is embedded in town culture, from Green Team initiatives to community cleanups, public safety roundtables, and interfaith partnerships. Regular town hall meetings, workshops, and public planning sessions offer residents a voice in governance and development.

The town supports multigenerational participation and values inclusivity, ensuring all residents feel represented in municipal decision-making. Whether it's neighbors collaborating on beautification projects or youth presenting ideas at council meetings, Forest Heights demonstrates what it means to be a truly participatory community. The town's culture of care, collaboration, and mutual accountability distinguishes it within Prince George's County and beyond.

Join Us in Building a Better Tomorrow

Forest Heights stands as a model of what small towns can achieve with vision, unity, and bold leadership. Through its ongoing work in sustainability, economic development, public safety, and civic engagement, the town continues to improve quality of life while positioning itself for future growth.

Whether you are visiting, investing, relocating, or simply exploring what makes Maryland's towns special, Forest Heights invites you to experience a community that leads with purpose and delivers with pride.

The Town of Forest Heights: Strong Roots. Bright Future.