Downs Park

Park Rules and Regulations

• Downs Park is open 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to dusk. 
• Downs Park is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Visitor Center Office hours are 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Effective February 2025, Downs Park implemented a new photography policy pilot program.

Guest & Visitor Photography

The Department of Recreation and Parks welcomes you to take photos during your visit to capture casual snapshots to help remember your visit. The Department defines a snapshot as a quick, spontaneous, informal photo without artistic intent. Please follow the Department’s General Photography Guidelines when taking pictures. You can share your photos on social media. If you do, please consider tagging the Department on Instagram (@recparks), X (@RecParks), and Facebook (@AARecParks).

Portrait Photography

The Department of Recreation and Parks defines portrait photography as all posed portraiture of individuals or groups by professional or amateur photographers, whether paid or unpaid. On-site park staff reserves the right to define Portrait Photography further on a case-by-case basis. 

All portrait and commercial photography must be approved and scheduled in advance. All photography inquiries should be emailed to the regional park you intend to visit. Please see the list of parks and contacts below. The Department of Recreation and Parks reserves the right to decline a reservation at our discretion. 

A request for a photography session must be submitted at least seven days before the session. Sessions must be held during park hours (dawn to ½ hour before posted closing time). Reservations will be approved and accepted up to four days before the requested reservation time. All photographers must check in at the Visitor Center upon entering the park and before capturing any images unless told otherwise. 

Daily photo sessions are $50 per 2-hour block. Make a daily reservation. Photographers who use our regional parks frequently may acquire a special membership for $250 per calendar year.  This annual pass allows photographers to forgo the $50 individual session photography fee and the $6 daily park entry fee. Once an annual pass is submitted and approved, the Department of Recreation and Parks will email instructions on obtaining the annual pass. 

Note: The photographer's clients must pay the $6 daily park entry fee. Photographers must still abide by the policies concerning reservation and payment described above. 

To hold reservations for photo sessions with a fee, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required. All fees must be paid within two weeks after receiving the confirmation and invoice or when the reservation is received, whichever is closest to the reservation date. 

In inclement weather, as determined by Parks staff, the photographer may reschedule the session at no additional cost. The fees paid will apply to the new reservation. 

Photography fees will be waived when renting a Department of Recreation and Parks facility, including pavilions and rooms, for weddings, birthday parties, and other events. Contact each park for more information.

Commercial Photography & Videography

The Department of Recreation and Parks welcomes inquiries about commercial photography & videography for film, television, advertising, and other similar shoots. The Marketing and Communications Division for Recreation and Parks reviews each request and provides the final approval. Please email inquiries to rpevents@aacounty.org.

Solo Photographers and Artists

Photographers and artists do not need to pre-register when visiting on their own. However, they must adhere to the guidelines below and avoid disrupting other visitors or Recreation and Park activities. Solo artists and photographers must pay the standard admission fee. Photographers or artists seeking to bring a class on a field trip to one of our regional parks or photo clubs seeking to visit must register their groups in advance. Depending on the regional park's schedule and the size of the group, such groups may be asked to restrict their activities to certain areas of the park or times. Depending on the exact size and purpose of a photography or painting class trip to the regional park, the fee may vary (but will be at least regular admission).

General Rules

The following rules apply to all photography for the Department of Recreation and Parks: 

• Photographers or artists must not impede visitors and park activities at any time.
• Drone/aerial footage is prohibited unless Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks approves the request. Please contact each park for its policy. 
• Guests, photographers, and their equipment must stay on pathways. It is prohibited to walk in or behind plant beds or place equipment in beds. 
• Plants and planted containers should not be moved, rearranged, or handled in any way, and plant blooms should not be picked. 
• Visitors may not climb or hang from trees or architectural features. 
• Portrait photography and videography within our parks and buildings must be pre-approved. 
• Any use of electrical equipment, including additional lighting, must be approved before the shoot. Cords or wires must be placed and guarded so that they do not alter the pathways and put visitors at risk. 
• Photographers are accountable for their actions and those of clients, crew members, and models if they damage the Department of Recreation and Parks’ facilities and property. 

The Department of Recreation and Parks reserves the right to deny permission to photograph. If an individual or group does not comply with the above conditions, they may be requested to leave the premises and forfeit their admission and reservation fee. 

To request additional information regarding photography policies and fees, please contact rpevents@aacounty.org or 410-222-7316.

Guildelines, rules and regulations for special events for non-profit organizations. 
 
Special Events Application