County parks

County maintains 21 parks, landings, pavilions

Thursday, March 26, 2009

The department also manages a historic shipwreck preserve, the African-American Schoolhouse in Drayden, the Leonard Hall, Margaret Brent and Carver recreation centers, gymnastics center, teen center, skate park, Hollywood Recreation Center and Great Mills Swimming Pool. The pool is covered with an air-inflated "bubble" for year-round use. Program offerings at the pool include open swim times, lessons, swim team use, party rentals, senior swimming and therapeutic recreation. For more information call the pool at 301-866-6560.

More than 100 youth and adult programs are offered in the county, encompassing a broad range of educational, leisure and sports activities. The department also operates before- and after-school programs, KEEP (Kindergarten Extended Enrichment Care Program), summer day camps and sports camps. For more information about facilities, programs and registration, call 301-475-4200, ext. 1800.

Picnic pavilions

There are eight picnic pavilions available for rental in county parks. Each pavilion accommodates about 150 people, with additional picnic tables nearby for larger groups, with the exception of the pavilions at John V. Baggett Park at Laurel Grove, Dorsey Park and Nicolet Park, which each accommodate about 75. Reservations are required to ensure exclusive use for a group and are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve a pavilion with a credit card, call on weekdays at 301-475-4200, ext. 1800.

Pavilions are available at the following parks: John V. Baggett Park at Laurel Grove on Route 235 south of Mechanicsville has ball fields, a playground, tennis and basketball courts and restrooms; Fifth District Park on Route 6 in Charlotte Hall has ball fields, a hiking trail, tennis and basketball courts, horseshoe pits and restrooms; Dorsey Park on Route 245 in Hollywood contains the same amenities as Fifth District, with a new playground. This park now has two pavilions for rental. Cecil Park on St. George Church Road in Valley Lee has ball fields, a new playground, tennis and basketball courts, horseshoe pits and restrooms; and Elms Beach on Bay Forest Road in Lexington Park offers a view of the Chesapeake Bay, a saltwater pond, playground, hiking trails and portable toilets. Also, two pavilions at Nicolet Park are available for rental; Nicolet Park includes a ball field, basketball court, playground, restrooms and a skate park and water sprayground. John G. Lancaster Park in Lexington Park has ball fields, basketball courts, playground, hiking trails, a dog park and restrooms.

Rental fee schedule is $100 for fewer than 75 people, $150 for 76 to 150 people and $200 plus a staff fee for 151 and more people. An alcohol consumption permit is $50, but is not available for Nicolet Park or Elms Beach Park.

Fees will be returned if a reservation is canceled in writing at least two weeks before the scheduled event. Inclement weather is not a reason for refund. Deposits are returned two weeks following the event with the approval of the park supervisor. Reservations must be made at least one week in advance.

Rules to know

Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in county parks without a permit. Violators are subject to a fine and expulsion from the park. This permit must be in applicant's possession at the park. Park use is at your own risk. No staff or lifeguards are on duty and medical insurance is not provided. Parks close at dark unless special permission is granted in writing by the recreation and parks department. Open campfires are not allowed. Grills are available at some parks. Organized youth and adult leagues have priority for ball fields. If you anticipate using a ball field, you should obtain a field permit.

Boat landings

St. Mary's County's Department of Recreation and Parks maintains a number of public landings in the county. Eight of these locations have boat ramps and another eight have no motorized boat launching facilities; some are suitable for canoe/kayak launching. The department's rules and regulations apply to all the facilities. Call the department for a brochure, 301-475-4200, ext. 1800.

All landings are closed between sunset and sunrise with the exception of loading and unloading boats. Also:

- Ramps, parked vehicles, bulkhead and pier access are not to be blocked;

- No overnight parking, camping, night fishing or open fires allowed;

- Posted "No Fishing or Crabbing" signs are to be obeyed;

- Boats and equipment are not to be left at the landings;

- Do not leave residential trash in trash cans at the landings;

- No alcohol consumption is allowed at the landings;

- Glass bottles and containers are prohibited;

- No littering allowed.

Locations with boat ramps

Abell's Wharf, off Route 244, Leonardtown, has a boat ramp, pier and limited parking; Bushwood Wharf, end of Route 239, Bushwood, has a boat ramp, a pier and ample parking; Chaptico Wharf, Chaptico Wharf Road, Maddox, has a boat ramp, a pier and ample parking; Clarke's Landing, Clarke's Landing Road, Hollywood, has a boat ramp and limited parking; Forest Landing, Forest Landing Road, Hollywood, has a boat ramp, a pier and ample parking; Piney Point Landing, Route 5 to Rt. 249, just before the St. George's Island Bridge, Piney Point, has a boat ramp, a pier and ample parking; St. Inigoes Landing, at the end of Beachville Road, St. Inigoes, has a boat ramp, a pier and ample parking; Wicomico Shores Landing, off Route 234 in Chaptico, has a boat ramp, a pier and ample parking.

Landings with no launching facilities include Paul Ellis Landing, off Route 242, end of Paul Ellis Road, Avenue; River Springs Landing, off Route 242, end of River Springs Road, Avenue; St. George Island Landing, Thomas Road, St. George Island; and Tall Timbers Landing, end of Herring Creek Road, Tall Timbers.

Camp Calvert Landing, end of Camp Calvert Road, Leonardtown is for canoe launching only. Fresh Pond Neck Landing, Fresh Pond Neck Road, Ridge, has canoe/kayak launching only; and Great Mills Canoe and Kayak launch is for canoe and kayak launching only.

Parks with water access

Elms Beach Park, off Route 235 and Bay Forest Road, Dameron; Myrtle Point Park, off Route 4 and Patuxent Boulevard, California; Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and Park, off Route 249 and Lighthouse Road, Piney Point has a public pier and no beach access.