Once a Cold War missile site, Anne Arundel’s Bay Head Park still carries the lasting footprint of military-era “forever chemicals.”
As reported in a recent Eye on Annapolis article, Bay Head Park in Anne Arundel County has a long and complex history, one that stretches from Cold War military operations to a modern-day environmental health challenge. Testing and research at the former Navy site introduced PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” into local soil and water, leaving a footprint that experts continue to monitor today.
Originally established in the 1950s as the Bay Head Road Annex, a Nike missile battery near Annapolis, the site later became home to Navy burn tests and fire safety research that relied on Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), a firefighting substance now known to contain PFAS. These synthetic compounds are used for their water and heat-resistant properties but are extremely persistent in the environment and the human body. Even in trace amounts, PFAS exposure has been linked to cancer, developmental issues, and other serious health concerns.
Although the Navy has been aware of site contamination since the 1980s, PFAS were specifically identified in the early 2000s. Since then, the Navy has monitored and reported chemical levels at the site, concluding that the park remains safe for recreation as long as visitors avoid disturbing the soil or consuming water from the local creek. Recent community testing found similar results, reinforcing that these chemicals remain detectable decades after their use.
Bay Head Park is one of many examples across the country where communities are grappling with the lasting effects of PFAS contamination and how to ensure safe public spaces.
At the 2025 MACo Winter Conference Parks and Recreation and Environmental Health session, “PFAS in Local Spaces: Hidden Chemicals, Real Challenges,” panelists will explore what PFAS are, how they enter park environments, and what counties can do to mitigate exposure and plan future projects using PFAS-safe materials.
The 2025 MACo Winter Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, MD, from December 10-12, 2025. This year’s theme is “Local Leadership, Lasting Impact: Shaping What’s Next.” More information can be found on our conference website.
Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference:
- Attendee Registration Guide – PLEASE READ! (new registration system)
- Attendee Brochure (with full schedule)
- Exhibitor Registration Guide – PLEASE READ! (new registration system)
- 2024 Winter Conference Photos (see what it’s like!)
- Questions? Contact Virginia White
