Forest Acres revealed an early vision of the new public park will replace the former Richland Mall. The six-acre park, set to be the largest in Forest Acres, will feature an amphitheater, event space, playground, and walking path along Pen Branch Creek —which has long been hidden beneath the mall.
Designed by Columbia’s LandPlan Group South, the park aims to foster a sense of community, complementing the surrounding development. With an estimated $15 million price tag, final approval of the park’s plan will trigger a year-long site engineering phase, followed by construction.
Mayor Thomas Andrews emphasized the park as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to create a community gathering space, reflecting the desires of area residents. The adjacent development — including retail spaces, residences, and a brewery — is set to revitalize the area following the mall’s 2023 closure and ongoing demolition.
