Launch Your Boat
Anne Arundel County doubled its number of public boat ramps this month, opening a new one on Parrish Creek at Discovery Village in Shady Side. The county has 533 miles of coastline but only one other public trailered-boat launch. That’s at Fort Smallwood Park in Pasadena.
“The second boat ramp opening in just two years demonstrates undeniable progress in bringing our citizens closer to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries,” said County Executive Steve Schuh.
The single-lane boat ramp with boarding piers and parking space for 38 tow vehicles and trailers cost $1.4 million. The million came from Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Waterway Improvement Fund. That fund depends on the state’s five percent excise tax on every boat purchased and titled in the state. Other state funding contributed $250,000.
“We had a low bar to start, but the sprint has been on,” said Mike Lofton, who leads the Anne Arundel County Public Water Access Commission.
Schuh has said he wants boating access on both shores of every major tributary within the county. A third boat ramp is being designed for Solley Cove Park in Glen Burnie. Eight new kayak and canoe launches have opened this year around the county.