Expanding access to the Chesapeake Bay is a tangible way to strengthen communities and support state and local priorities. With over 300 new public access sites now open, the region is making meaningful progress toward a more accessible and inclusive Bay.
In a press release from the Chesapeake Bay Program, the Program has officially exceeded its longstanding goal to expand public access across the Bay watershed. This achieved goal represents a win for recreation, tourism, and environmental stewardship. Since 2010, 312 new public access sites, including boat ramps, kayak launches, and waterfront trails, have been established across the region, surpassing the 300-site target outlined in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
Counties and local governments were instrumental in reaching this milestone. Of the 27 new sites added in 2024, nearly half were developed or managed by local governments. These new access points support a broad spectrum of recreational activities such as fishing, paddling, and waterfront walking, connecting residents and visitors with the natural environment and boosting local economies. In Maryland alone, 652 public access sites are now available, the highest of any state in the watershed. These investments not only support quality of life and tourism but also reinforce a shared commitment to the health and vitality of the Bay.
The Chesapeake Bay Program’s partners, including local, state, federal, and nonprofit organizations, are now planning next steps to build on these efforts. A revised Public Access Outcome is proposed as part of the Program’s updated watershed agreement, with new goals for improving accessibility, enhancing infrastructure, and expanding green space access.
From the press release:
As increasing public access to open space and waterways creates a shared sense of responsibility to protect these important natural environments and engage communities, a revised Public Access Outcome is proposed to be included in the updated Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. The draft updated outcome includes targets for improving ADA/ABA accessibility, expanding access to urban green spaces, and maintaining and expanding existing public access sites.
Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.
