Is Parkland safe?
Suitland, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Parkland as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Parkland
“Go with care. Parkland is primarily a residential suburb with quiet interior streets, but its location within the greater Suitland corridor means it borders areas with elevated rates of property and violent crime. Daytime residential visits are generally uneventful, but visitors should remain vigilant around commercial plazas and after dark.”
Prince George's County Police maintain active patrols and targeted enforcement operations in the Suitland corridor to combat vehicle thefts and localized firearm offenses.
About the area
Parkland is an established suburban community in Suitland, Maryland, characterized by mid-century single-family homes alongside garden-style apartment complexes. It sits adjacent to major regional corridors like Silver Hill Road and Suitland Parkway, offering convenience to federal workplaces and regional transit while retaining a distinct residential pocket feel.
- Suburban Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Commuter Pocket
Walking and biking in Parkland
Walk score: 46/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There is no local docked bike-share system in Parkland, and cyclists must share roadway lanes with motor traffic as dedicated bike infrastructure is scarce.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Established residential streets with detached homes and mature trees
- Close proximity to major employment centers including the Suitland Federal Center
- Convenient roadway access to Suitland Parkway, Pennsylvania Avenue, and the Capital Beltway
Cons
- Above-average violent and property crime rates compared to Maryland state baselines
- Commercial borders along Silver Hill Road see frequent loitering and retail theft incidents
- Pockets of aging multi-family housing stock with higher turnover and maintenance variability
Homelessness: Homelessness is rarely visible on interior residential streets, though occasional panhandling and unhoused individuals may be encountered near busy intersections, bus stops, and retail strips along Silver Hill Road.
What Parkland is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and typical of a suburban neighborhood, with school buses and residents commuting via car and bus.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally quiet on residential streets, though busier commercial corridors nearby see heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Commercial strips and apartment clusters experience higher activity; standard situational awareness is recommended.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet but higher risk; walking alone is not recommended due to limited pedestrian infrastructure, poor lighting, and crime risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is managed by WMATA (Metrobus) and Prince George's County TheBus, offering routes that connect directly to the Suitland Metro Station (Green Line), situated approximately 1 to 1.5 miles away.
Street parking is generally free and accessible along single-family residential roads, while apartment complexes provide designated permit lots and local retail strip malls offer ample free surface parking.
Things to do in Parkland
- Walk the forested boardwalk trails at the nearby Suitland Bog Natural Area
- Utilize the outdoor athletic fields and playgrounds at Bradbury Park
- Access community recreation programs and courts at the William Beanes Community Center
Local favorites
- Silvestre Chicken · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.3★ (850)A busy neighborhood favorite serving charcoal-broiled Peruvian rotisserie chicken, plantains, and Latin specialties.
- Ledo Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.0★ (460)A regional Maryland staple known for its rectangular, flaky-crust pizzas, subs, and casual dining setup.
- Topolino Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.2★ (1250)A longstanding local dining institution serving generous portions of classic pasta dishes, pizzas, and Italian entrees.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.