Water Access In Anne Arundel County

On a sweltering June afternoon at Fort Smallwood Park, children waded into the Patapsco River, arching their fingers at distant boats. Other kids, armed with miniature rods, cast lines from the shore.

This display occurred just one week after Memorial Day weekend, when swimming at Fort Smallwood Park was allowed for the first time in several years. The site has joined Mayo Beach Park in Edgewater and Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis as the only other public Anne Arundel locations that allow swimming.

“We've had good feedback,” said Colleen Brown Joseph, chief of marketing, events and facility scheduling for the Department of Recreation and Parks. “[Visitors] like the easy access and even the shallow water for the kids to wade in. Some older patrons say they enjoyed seeing the beach open again and they remember from when they were young.”

Not only does Fort Smallwood offer swimming but it also has a 380-foot fishing pier, children’s playground and walking trails, making it one of the most multifaceted parks in the county. Also featured is the first county-owned boat ramp, providing an alternative to docking at Sandy Point. Open from 5:30am until 10:00pm, the ramp is accessible for $10 for a single-day boat launch or $75 for an annual decal.

Fort Smallwood Park is located at 9500 Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena. The park is closed on Wednesdays. For more information, call 410-222-0087.

The following is a comprehensive list of parks that offer water access and fishing. Regional parks (Downs, Fort Smallwood, Kinder Farm and Quiet Waters) charge a daily vehicle parking fee of $6. Disability, military, senior citizen and annual permit discounts may apply. Neighborhood parks are free to enter.

All parks are open from at least 9:00am to 5:00pm, with some opening earlier or later depending on the day’s events. If you’re planning a trip outside those hours, call ahead. Also, make sure to follow licensing requirements if fishing or crabbing. If you’re heading out in your canoe or kayak, wear a life jacket, paddle with someone else if you can, and always watch out for big boats.

Downs Park
8311 John Downs Loop in Pasadena
410-222-6230
Park is closed on Tuesdays

The 236-acre site boasts a fishing pier, launch site, more than 5 miles of paved and natural trails, a children’s playground, a youth camping area and three large outdoor pavilions.

“Our fishing pier is on the [Chesapeake] Bay; Fort Smallwood’s is on Rock Creek,” said Deb Yeater, superintendent of Downs Park. “We have two kayak launches. The bayside waters can get a little choppy. The Locust Cove side is calmer.”

Beachwood Park
8320 Beachwood Park Road in Pasadena
410-222-7317

A historic park that operated as an African-American beach resort from 1948 to the 1960s, Beachwood Park offers a cartop boat launch and fishing. The closest launch for a kayak or canoe is 621 feet from the parking area, and the path leads straight to the water. The park also has natural paths through wooded areas on both sides of Beachwood Park Road and Magothy Bridge Road.

Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Park
1543 Fairview Beach Road in Pasadena
410-222-6230
Open Saturdays and Sundays

Test the waters of Rock Creek with your canoe or kayak, or try fishing at Wall Cove or White Pond. Be aware that there is limited access. “It’s a little bit of a hike because you can’t drive all the way to the water,” Yeater said.

Solley Cove Park
7360 Carbide Road in Curtis Bay
410-439-0039

Lisa Arrasmith, a member of the Public Water Access Committee, cited Solley Cove Park as one her favorite spots to launch from, along with Beverly Triton Park in Edgewater.

“Solley Cove Park has two great sheltered paddles. You can launch from Solley Cove and turn left and paddle up Marley Creek for a long ways,” Arrasmith said. “The shore changes from houses to trees the further you get up the creek. An interesting landmark is Brewers Island in Marley Creek. There are two houses on it, accessible only by boat. There's also a marina with a marine railway nearby.”

Arrasmith also noted another water path past Marley Creek, reached by turning left up Furnace Creek. After paddling up Back Creek, waterbound passengers may see an old railroad bridge and waterfowl.

On the return, paddlers can pass the put-in and view the Coast Guard Yard or visit the American Legion in Curtis Bay, where they can enjoy a beverage on the waterfront tiki bar while watching the sunset.

Spriggs Farm
965 Bayberry Drive in Arnold
410-222-7317

With breathtaking views of the Magothy River, Spriggs Farm is ideal for nature-watching, and it’s also a good launch point.

“Springs Park has access to the water with a minimal gear portage,” said Neal Griggs, a windsurfer. “As for cons, it's a little rough for a beginner, as there are so many docks along the shore and not much shallow water. If you can uphaul or water start and can navigate well enough, it's no problem. Of course, you have to go when the wind direction is appropriate as well.”

Because of issues with site conditions and capacity, individuals must fill out an online form at www.aacounty.org/locations-and-directions/spriggs-farm-park to gain access to Spriggs Farm Park.

Sandy Point State Park
1100 East College Parkway in Annapolis

410-974-2149

Whether you’re into swimming, fishing, crabbing or boating, this 786-acre site located along the northwestern shore of the Chesapeake Bay has a variety of activities. Visitors can splash through one of numerous beaches, and a bathhouse near the beach provides a restroom and showering facilities. Fishing from the shoreline is permitted to everyone with a Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license and anyone under the age of 16. A fishing pier is located next to the boat ramps. The park allows night fishing, and supplies are available in the marina store. The waters here are also home to the Chesapeake Bay blue crab, which can be caught off the pier on the south end of the boat ramps.

Jonas Green Park
1997 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard in Annapolis
410-222-6141

Jonas Green Park has a sandy beach for cartop boat launching, a pier and a picnic area. The site is handicap-accessible. This location is ideal for fishing, but boat traffic may be hazardous for windsurfers.

Mark Bange, a longtime fly fisherman and member of the Snaggedline kayak angler group, said Jonas Green Park is a great access point to the Severn River.

“The Severn River … is an excellent fishery, producing outstanding catches of striped bass, white perch and pickerels,” Bange said. “Also, it’s a scenic location. From the Maryland State House dome peaking above the grounds of the Naval Academy to the beautiful houses that line its banks, to the wooded shorelines of its tributaries, it’s a stunningly beautiful waterway.”

Noting that “different spots can be hot at certain times of the year and devoid of fish at others,” fellow Snaggedline kayak angler Bruce Kellman also pegged Jonas Green Park as his favorite spot.

“It offers easy access to a wide variety of water types and thus fish species,” Kellman said. “It is also a very picturesque body of water. The majesty and history that Annapolis offers is uniquely viewed from the deck of a kayak.”

Quiet Waters Park
600 Quiet Waters Park Road in Annapolis
410-222-1777
Closed on Tuesdays

Situated between the South River and Harness Creek, Quiet Waters Park is accessible to those who want to paddle through the water or enjoy one of the trails totaling 6 miles.

Davidsonville Park
3042 Patuxent River Road in Davidsonville
410-222-7317

One of approximately 40 launch points on the Patuxent River, Davidsonville Park features a cartop boat launch and is open to fishing. With the Patapsco, Severn, Magothy and South rivers in Anne Arundel County, the Patuxent is often forgotten, according to Patuxent Riverkeeper Fred Tutman.

“The Patuxent River is the longest and deepest river that stays entirely in Maryland,” Tutman said. “You can find a little bit of everything on the Patuxent. We are the Chesapeake Bay in miniature.”

Beverly Triton Beach Park
1202 Triton Beach Road in Edgewater
410-222-7317

At this park in Edgewater, people can drop off their boat within 100 yards of the Chesapeake Bay. Fishing is also allowed.

Beverly Triton has minimal beach access; a small, unpaved parking area; natural trails, and portable restrooms. In his Fiscal Year 2017 budget proposal, County Executive Steve Schuh included funding that would improve parking, allow swimming, and add playground and picnic pavilion areas.

Carrs Wharf
1001 Carrs Wharf Road in Mayo
410-222-7317

Located on Rhode River, Carrs Wharf is a great spot for paddlers. A 309-foot pier is a popular site for crabbing. Parking is limited to 12 cars.

Mayo Beach Park
4150 Honeysuckle Drive in Edgewater
410-222-7313

A private area, Mayo Beach Park is open to the public on specified Sundays and Mondays. Visitors can swim, windsurf, paddleboard, canoe, kayak and picnic.

Daphne Lathouras of the Baltimore Area Boardsailing Association (BABA) said Mayo Beach Park is a premier site for windsurfing. She explained when choosing a launch site to windsurf, wind direction and safety are paramount.

“Mayo Beach Park is the best windsurfing launch in the county — ample parking close to the water in the cartop permit area, sandy beach, large shallow area, good exposure to many wind directions,” Lathouras said. “Mayo is also great for learning to windsurf because there’s a large shallow area (waist-deep at most) with a firm bottom.”

Rebecca Millar said she always feels safe at Mayo. “The take-off and landing area … is wide and can be accessed from multiple directions,” she said. “There’s plenty of space for rigging up without getting in other people’s way. I don't feel in danger of being blown out into the open bay.”

The park is open from 11:00am to 5:00pm on the following Sundays and Mondays: June 19, July 3, July 10, July 17, July 31, August 7, August 14, August 21, September 5, September 11, September 18 and September 25.

Other parks with cartop boat launches and fishing access include Green Haven Wharf in Pasadena, Homeport Farm Park in Edgewater, Franklin Point State Park in Shady Side, Galesville Wharf, Patuxent Wetlands Park in Lothian, Rose Haven Memorial Park, Wooton’s Landing Wetland Park in Harwood and Shady Side Wharf.

Other spots, such as Lake Waterford Park (830 Pasadena Road in Pasadena) and Kinder Farm Park (1001 Kinder Farm Park Road in Millersville), offer fishing but no launch points.

For more information on parks with water access, visit www.aacounty.org and under the “Departments” heading, click “Recreation & Parks.”