Boat Ramp Access Restored, For Now, In South County

SHADY SIDE, MD — Anne Arundel County boaters have another free boat ramp to access, for now.

The county partnered with Parish Creek Landing Marina, located in Shady Side, to allow complimentary use of the boatyard's ramp for the rest of the season.

The short-term partnership was announced last Friday, exactly one month after the only public boat ramp in South County closed.

The closure of the Discovery Village ramp frustrated boaters, as the county's only other boat ramps were both an hour's drive away in Pasadena and Glen Burnie.

"The Department of Recreation and Parks acted swiftly when the Discovery Village Boat Ramp was closed. They immediately contacted local marinas that could offer the same service, and found a willing partner right across the creek," County Executive Steuart Pittman said in a press release. "This is a win for local boaters and a win for a local maritime business. I hope that we can do more partnerships like this in the future."

WJZ said the Anne Arundel County Council voted in June to cut funding to rent the Discovery Village ramp. With increasing rent and the land owner allowed to bill the county for maintenance, District 7 Council Member Shannon Leadbetter told WJZ the lease was a bad deal for taxpayers.

WMAR reported that, over the last decade, the county had paid $2 million to build and maintain the ramp.

"I care a lot about boating and we already don't have enough access to this," boater Kevin Gebicke told WMAR after the Discovery Village ramp closed. "It's a major inconvenience."

Kacie LaCovey, general manager of Parish Creek Landing, told WJZ that dozens of boaters used their ramp the day after the deal was announced.

"We have commercial watermen that were kind of at a loss and didn't have a way to launch and go crabbing and fishing, so we're trying to offer it and make the best of what we have here," LaCovey told WJZ.

Parish Creek Landing is located at 4819 Woods Wharf Road.

The Discovery Village ramp closure took effect on July 1, throwing a wrench in plans for the busy Independence Day weekend.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks worked with Parish Creek Landing, which agreed to waive ramp fees over the holiday weekend. That let over 100 boaters enjoy the water.

"We are pleased to have found a short-term solution to keep local boaters connected with nature," Recreation and Parks Director Jessica Leys said in the release. "By partnering with a local marina, we can provide immediate access. The Department is committed to continuing the conversation and working together for a long-term solution to serve the South County residents with comprehensive water access."

The county operates two other public boat ramps, 18 car-top launch sites, two indoor swimming pools and three public beaches.

Details on those offerings are posted here.

Recreation and Parks is considering future ramp solutions in South County.

"The department is also exploring multiple options to ensure that long-term boat ramp access remains available in this area," the Recreation and Parks website said.