Counties Get Their Feet Wet With Water Rec

Panelists at MACo’s Summer Conference share information on community water access and public swimming opportunities provided by counties.

In the MACo Summer Conference Session, Getting Your Feet Wet: Big Benefits of Water Recreation, panelists shared best practices for counties extending water access and water aquatics opportunities to their residents.

Tara Eggleston Stewart, Department of Parks and Recreation Division Chief, Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, and President, Association of Aquatic Professionals described the ways that her organization is providing swimming and other water aquatics opportunities to residents. Tar shared statistics on minority swimming abilities and correlated drowning deaths to underscore the importance of offering swimming lessons and swim competency courses that are accessible to all residents

Lisa Arrasmith, Member of the Anne Arundel County Water Access Commission shared how the leadership of the County Executive Schuh has helped her Commission provide public access to beaches within waterfront properties, opening up these properties for use by small boaters such as kayakers. Lisa’s advice to the group was to open up properties as soon as possible – even if only rustic improvements, such as a gate and a parking area – may be accommodated initially.

Patti Parker, President of Board of Visit Harford! shared her organization’s successful promotion of water access in Harford County. The Visit Harford website and other resources provide thorough listings of boating, fishing, and trails that start at water access points. The Bar Harbor Park and Marina offers camping on the wooded peninsula fronting the Bush River, while the Broad Creek Public Landing has a launching ramp for small craft and a fishing pier.

Michael Busch, Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates and a long time employee of the Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks Department moderated the session.