When the weather warms up in Maryland, it’s time to enjoy the great outdoors. Throughout Hollywood, Maryland, there are plenty of outdoor areas to explore. Get started with these top three local spots.
Greenwell State Park
Greenwell State Park is a 596-acre state park on the Patuxent River. It’s open from May through September, so plan your visit when the weather warms up. Visitors are welcome to set up a picnic on the grounds or rent a pavilion. You can also launch your canoe or kayak, swim in the beach area, fish from the pier or shoreline, and go hunting during established seasons. The park has a little bit of fun for any hobbyist.
The management of the park partners with the Greenwell Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on making outdoor recreation accessible for everyone. It provides therapeutic and recreational riding lessons, nature and summer camps, kayaking, accessible site rentals, and other community programs. Every time you pay to visit Greenwell State Park, your money goes toward supporting these programs.
Historic Sotterley Plantation
Gain a deeper understanding of the past at the Historic Sotterley Plantation. As you walk around the plantation’s 94 acres with 20 authentic structures, you learn the eye-opening stories of the people who lived here. Explore an 1830s slave cabin and a 19th-century schoolhouse to get a real feeling of this era. The goal of the plantation is to start a dialogue about those who were enslaved and to acknowledge what they experienced. It honors all of the ancestors, descendants, and families who are connected to this part of history.
Historic Sotterley Plantation has many programs to help the community honor the past and look to a better future. The Common Ground Initiative seeks to bring descendants, community members, and partners together to celebrate cultures and facilitate healing. The plantation also hosts many different speakers who can give their own perspective of this moment in history. There’s even a Family Friendly Friday event where kids can participate in many age-appropriate activities.
Calvert Cliffs State Park
Enjoy breathtaking views of the Chesapeake Bay at Calvert Cliffs State Park. As you admire the massive cliffs on the shoreline, you may see remains from prehistoric species, such as whales, sharks, rays, and giant seabirds. There are designated areas where you can go hunting for fossils. You might get lucky, considering that fossils from over 600 species from the Miocene era have been identified here. Make sure to follow the signs when looking for fossils.
The state park also features a sandy beach, an accessible recycled tire playground, fishing, freshwater and tidal marshland, and 13 miles of hiking trails. Cyclists and equestrians are welcome to enjoy the service road. If you want to help maintain the beauty of the park, consider joining the Friends of Calvert Cliffs State Park organization. On the first Saturday of each month, they have a workday where they do projects like planting trees, repairing structures, and cleaning up the park.
Spring and summertime in Maryland are quite enjoyable. Soak up all the good weather by visiting one of these must-see outdoor areas.
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