This is by far one of the top 10 parks in Maryland. Why? Location and management. Situated next to the Bay Bridge on Kent Island, this park features oyster shell pathways, woodlands, wetlands and a beach with views to die for. Brand new bathrooms for visitors and an attentive and friendly ranger staff are icing on the cake.
This award-winning 276-acre nature park features a 3.25-mile oyster chaff walking trail, which meanders through wildflower meadows, wetlands, tidal ponds, woodlands, and sandy shoreline. The trail provides a unique vantage point for viewing an incredible variety of waterfowl, wildlife, and plant species. A gazebo is located along the sandy shoreline afford a spectacular view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Park benches located along the trail provides a brief respite for the weary. The trail, which wanders over several bridges, across marshlands and through woodlands, features two observation blinds overlooking the tidal ponds. The trail connects to the County’s Cross Island Trail system. Nearby parking for the Cross Island Trail system is available at Old Love Point Park. Read more…
This large park on the Chesapeake, next to the Bay Bridge on Kent Island, has a variety of nice trails and a beach. Like other Queen Anne’s County parks, no swimming, no coolers, no alcohol, no fishing (except at south end of beach) and no shade structures are allowed here. The county recently finished new stone bathrooms and a small guard station next to the parking lot. A friendly ranger in an ATV rides about to enforce their rules.
It should go without saying that this is a very popular spot for walking with or without dogs, but biking is also excellent on the dirt and paved trails, as this is a departure destination for the expansive cross island bike path.
Aldo Leopold was a conservationist, forester, philosopher, educator, writer, outdoor enthusiast and hunter and is held in the same high esteem as other naturalists such as Henry David Thoreau and John Muir. Leopold has inspired “environmentalists” for many decades, especially after his book A Sand County Almanac was published in 1949.
The photo above with Leopold’s quote was taken by me at Greenbury Point Conservation Area in 2022. This area is now a focal point of unity for those in Maryland who enjoy the nature preserve and face the real prospect it could be bulldozed for a new golf course. #savegreenburypoint
From the Aldo Leopold Foundation website: He is considered by many to be the father of wildlife ecology and the United States’ wilderness system. Among his best known ideas is the “land ethic,” which calls for an ethical, caring relationship between people and nature.
Born in 1887 and raised in Burlington, IA, Leopold developed an interest in the natural world at an early age, spending hours observing, journaling, and sketching his surroundings. After graduating from the Yale Forest School in 1909, he eagerly pursued a career with the newly established U.S. Forest Service in Arizona and New Mexico. Learn more…
Watch this movie about Leopold’s life: “Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and Land Ethic for Our Time” https://vimeo.com/504990185
Aldo Leopold Foundation: “Active conservation and learning not only allows us to be better stewards of the land, it allows the land to work its magic upon us. What has the land taught you?”
Rode from my home to Greenbury Point Conservation Area today – round trip of about 21 miles. The trek included suburban roads leading to the B&A trail, then on to the wide shoulder of Rt. 450 – crossing over at the WWII Memorial and then weaving through a neighborhood to stay as safe as possible on my way. This type of biking adventure takes a focus on defensive road riding because there are instances where there is very little or no shoulder – and one needs to stop for cars and give them their space when necessary. This was a cool and sunny late morning ride and a great work-out.
In 2006, several neighbors in Cape St. Claire, a community on the Broadneck peninsula near Annapolis, found an undiscovered Temple of the Mayans. Okay, they didn’t really, but it felt that way. It was a recently vacated and historic home from the 18th century – right behind their children’s elementary school, hidden behind a long layer of trees and random undergrowth.
What is this?
None of them knew each other, but they had this amazing discovery as a shared experience. They stared in awe at this home that time forgot. Who had lived here and why was it empty? It was unlocked, in near perfect condition, with original architecture everywhere: windows, stairwells, fireplace mantels, period interior construction and a stucco finish which covered up the ancient bones.
Vandals!
To their dismay, as the weeks went by, the home was slowly but deliberately attacked. Teenagers wreaked havoc on the place, literally beating it to death. Many of them were caught, often red handed with their weapons of mayhem, spray paint and beer. It was a slow train wreck.
Feeling helpless, this group of neighbors who lived just blocks away started patrolling the grounds of the property, hoping to stop the invaders. They found a tall chain link fence in the north of the county, which was listed for free, and then requested the help of a local company to install it. The fence was long enough to encircle the house and the small dairy barn next to it. Over time, they had to cover the spray paint, board up the broken windows and enclose the porch. The vandalism started to decrease and after a while it stopped altogether.
Let’s do this!
Now what? A committee that had formed on-the-fly got organized. More people joined the cause. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation was created and volunteer positions were filled. A website was built. The grounds were mowed. A history was painstakingly researched and documented. Security cameras were added. Things took off from there.
Today, Historic Goshen Farm is a premier destination for educational programs. Committees of volunteers provide tours of this wonderfully preserved farming artifact from the early years of Anne Arundel County. The restoration is still a work in progress and there is much to do, but this farm is a beautiful place to behold with every visit.
Walk the grounds with your best friend
If you live nearby, you may visit to attend musical or educational events and walk your dog. When anyone becomes a member of the Goshen Farm Preservation Society Inc. for a small fee, the world opens: you may lease one or more 10×10’ garden plots, volunteer for fun events, join committees and walk the property as an insured member.
What is the best activity at Historic Goshen Farm? While it is hard to pick, your four-legged best friends would tell you if they could: It is the dog walking on the soft green fields that surround the main house. No contest. Rain or shine, cloudy or sunny, Historic Goshen Farm will never disappoint you, your family or your furry buddy.
In the Capital Gazette newspaper
Historic Goshen Farm has enjoyed the support of our local newspaper for many years.
The Chesapeake Heritage & Visitor Center and Ferry Point Park are located at 425 Piney Narrows Rd Chester, MD (Kent Narrows). This a good place for a dog walk and/or bag lunch if you are driving through or visiting Kent Island. As is the case with similar parks on Kent Island, such as Terrapin Park on the Bay, there is no fishing, coolers, alcohol or swimming allowed. The visitor center has art exhibits and a lot of great info about the area.
Maryland Outdoor Life 