Matapeake State Park

Matapeake State Park is a public recreation area on Chesapeake Bay occupying the site of a former ferry landing in Matapeake, Kent Island, Maryland. The landing served the state-owned Chesapeake Bay Ferry System before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge opened. The park is leased and managed by Queen Anne's County.[3]

Matapeake State Park
Shoreline of Matapeake State Park with Chesapeake Bay Bridge in the distance
Map showing the location of Matapeake State Park
Map showing the location of Matapeake State Park
Location in Maryland
LocationMatapeake, Maryland, United States
Nearest cityAnnapolis, Maryland
Coordinates38°57′13″N 76°21′09″W[1]
Area21 acres (8.5 ha)[2]
Elevation23 ft (7.0 m)[1]
DesignationMaryland state park
Established2009
AdministratorQueen Anne's County, Maryland
WebsiteMatapeake Beach & Clubhouse

History

The park occupies the site of a ferry landing that had served the Chesapeake Bay Ferry System on its run across the bay from Kent Island to what is now Sandy Point State Park. The park land was first acquired by the state in 1941 with the purchase of the Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry Company, which became the Chesapeake Bay Ferry System. The Sandy Point-Matapeake Ferry was discontinued in 1952. Afterwards, uses for the land by the state included a shooting range and a building housing a scale model of the Chesapeake Bay. The bay model was made obsolete by computer simulations, and the building was left vacant. Following the 2003 collapse of the building during that year's Presidents' Day snowstorm, the county resumed renovation of the ferry terminal building and renamed it the Matapeake Clubhouse.[4] The Matapeake Clubhouse and adjoining public beach opened to the public in May 2009.[5]

Activities and amenities

Park grounds include the restored ferry house and former ferry landing, which is used as a fishing pier. The park offers a swimming beach, amphitheater, trails, picnicking area, dog beach, and views of the Bay Bridge.[3] It is the northern terminus of the paved Kent Island South Trail, which extends 6 miles (9.7 km) from the park to Romancoke Pier.[6]

References
  1. "Matapeake State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. "DNR Lands Acreage" (PDF). Maryland Department of Natural Resources. p. 8. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  3. "Matapeake Beach & Clubhouse". Queen Anne's County Government. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  4. "Chronology of the Matapeake property". My Eastern Shore MD. Easton, Md. October 13, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  5. "History of Matapeake". Queen Anne's County Government. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  6. "Hiker-Biker Trails". Queen Anne's County Recreation. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
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