Patience Pays Off
Keeping South County rural seems to be a motto with might behind it.
A former ground of contention is opening as Franklin Point State Park. After stalwart citizens and former Gov. Parris Glendening blocked development, the former Deep Creek airport sat untouched for over a decade thanks to shrinking budgets and a critical wetland habitat the county seemed to not know how to best use.
The 477-acre peninsula bordering Chesapeake Bay, Deep Creek and Flag Pond represents a large swath of potential public water access.
Volunteers have worked for months clearing debris and getting the site ready for visitors. A porta-potty has been installed; picnic areas and trails are planned. There is a soft launch, already being used for kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, and the Anne Arundel County Public Water Access Committee has added the park to its map of water trails.
“New water is exciting,” says team member Lisa Arrasmith, an avid paddler. “I am so looking forward to exploring the creeks between Deep Creek and Deale; it’s terra incognita for me.”
The park will be monitored and maintained by Maryland Department of Natural Resources, local volunteers and the West/Rhode Riverkeeper
Riverkeeper Jeff Holland kayaked around the pond last week and saw a bald eagle.
The park, located at the end of Dent Road in Shady Side, is open for day use. If you plan on visiting, first check the DNR park website to get the gate combination.
Link to Franklin Point State Park:
• bit.ly/BayWeeklyWaterTrailMap
• bit.ly/BayWeeklyDNR
• bit.ly/BayWeeklyRiverkeeper