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Re: Waterworks Park, AA County, Closing - bird related

From:

Tommy Owens

Reply-To:

Tommy Owens

Date:

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:02:31 -0500

Via the  Annapolis Recreation & Parks Facebook page:

 Annapolis Recreation & Parks  On April 1st the City of Annapolis will
close the Waterworks Park to the public. Permit holders can use the
park until dusk on March 31st. The closure was initiated because of
the City budget crisis and the need to cut back on overall operating
expenses. Given the proposed development of the Annapolis Energy Park
planned for the adjacent 400+ acres it was an appropriate time to
evaluate public access to this area. Yesterday at 9:50am ˇ

Tommy

On Thu, Mar 11, 2010 at 1:21 PM, Joanne Howl <> wrote:
> Looking for a new-to-me local birding spot, I dropped by the gates of Annapolis Waterworks Park on Defense Highway.  Although I had no permit to enter, just standing at the gate I saw a few birds, including my FOY OSPREY, a nice NORTHERN FLICKER and beautifully vocal EASTERN TOWHEE.   Thrilled by the possibilities, I scurried home and made a call to find out how/where/when to purchase a permit.
>
> The Department of Park and Rec told me that permits are available ONLY until the end of March.  At that time, the gates wills stay locked and the park will be closed.  The contact I spoke to said this decision was made as recently as last week and they (at the dest) heard of it only this week.  I made a confirmatory phone call - yes, the park will be closed. The word is there is no money for maintenance; the maintenace crew was apparently told to cease mowing lawns, etc. at the end of the month.
>
> I cannot get any more details at this time and do not know who to speak to or what to do to try to keep the park open.  I have seen it mentioned on the list and it's obviously quite a wonderful place.  The idea of having it locked down and unavailable at all is just very sad.  I'm hoping that someone on the list can give some information about swaying city policy, or may be in a position to faciliate connecting dots to have a conservation organization speak to the city reps to preserve - and open - the park.
>
> Any info - on list or privately - would be welcome.
>
> I hope to go out tomorrow and purchase a permit - and spend some time there the next few weeks.
>
> Oh - the phone # for the City Park and Rec is 410-263-7958.  It's a public number - no sense withholding it for those who wish to call and verify the situation!
>
> Joanne
>
>
>
> Joanne Howl, DVM
> 
> West River, MD
>



-- 
Tommy Owens
www.tommyowens.org