Bowie Race Track Property

The City is slated to become owner of the Bowie Race Track by the end of 2024. On May 16, 2022, the City Council appointed a Task Force made up of City residents and Bowie State University representatives to solicit public opinion and develop a concept for future recreational use of the Bowie Race Track property. The Task Force held five meetings, established a project webpage, conducted a public survey, and held two public workshops. On June 29, 2023, the Task Force held its final meeting and approved a recommended  concept plan, evaluation criteria and specific use recommendations.

Task Force Flowchart

  1. background
  2. task force
  3. public input

The Bowie Race Course Training Center (the “Bowie Racetrack Property”) compromises approximately 180 acres, including all of the land located at 8311 Race Track Road, 8406 Race Track Road, 8408 Race Track Road, and 8410 Race Track Road (view a map of these parcels (PDF). The Racing and Community Development Act of 2020 (Chapter 590 (PDF) of the 2020 Laws of Maryland), called for ownership to transfer to the City on or before December 31, 2023, which was pushed back to December 31, 2024, by the Maryland General Assembly during their 2022-2023 session.

According to Chapter 590, the portion of the property transferred to the City that is within 100 feet of the top of the Patuxent River bank must be used for passive recreational activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, picnicking, and walking. The remaining portion of the property may be used only for active recreation, including baseball, football, soccer, and cricket, and have only one structure no larger than 50,000 square feet. Furthermore, by January 1, 2021, the City was to enter into a joint use agreement, which includes an easement, with Bowie State University for future use of the property. On December 14, 2020, the City and Bowie State University reported to the General Assembly on the completed joint use agreement. Until the required conveyance, the owner of the Bowie Race Course Training Center must operate the center as a thoroughbred training facility to provide more stall space for the racing industry in Maryland.

On January 4, 2020, local elected officials held a community meeting  to discuss the future of the Bowie Race Track Property (view the recording here).