It is possible to enter the shopping center (Wilkens Beltway Plaza) on
its eastern end (at least when coming from the direction of downtown
Baltimore).  You can drive down behind the Giant and park near the
pond, which is located near the northeastern corner of the property.
There was plenty of parking when I was there this morning (between
9:15 and 9:30) - in the shade, even.  As others have mentioned, it is
easy to see the ducks through the fence that surrounds the pond.

This is a rather small shopping center, and the Giant sits back from
the road a bit, behind another building.  I missed it on my first
attempt, coming from the Baltimore Beltway, and had to turn around and
try again.

Elaine Hendricks
Greenbelt, MD  (PG County)




On Mon, Jul 5, 2010 at 12:12 PM, Bryan MacKay <> wrote:
> From the Baltimore Beltway, I-695, take exit 12, Wilkens Ave.  (This is on
> the SW side of Baltimore).  Go east, in toward the city, not toward UMBC and
> Catonsville).  Go a bit less than a half mile east on Wilkens.  Your first
> light will be Maiden Choice Lane.  Go thru the light, continuing on Wilkens,
> but make your first left into the Giant foodstore parking lot.  There is a
> storm water management pond at one corner of the building, but that is
> filled in with cattails and not the pond in question.  Walk to the back
> corner of the L shaped strip mall and you'll see the pond.  As it belongs to
> a gated retirement community, a fence keeps you out, but you can see most of
> the pond, an unprepossessing place.  (No, you can't get in the retirement
> community; there is a gate and a 24 hour guard.  You have to offer a name of
> a resident to get in.)
>
> Last night, Sunday July 4, I saw no BBWD in the time I was there, 7:30 - 8
> pm.  There have been sightings today, Monday July 5.  Apparently there have
> been sightings on and off since Thursday.
>
> Bryan MacKay
> Catonsville MD
>
> Patricia Valdata wrote:
>>
>> For folks who don't know which town this pond is in, or where along the
>> Beltway Wilkens Avenue might be, can someone provide that information? The
>> only Charlestown I know of is here in Cecil County. Thanks!
>>
>> Pat Valdata
>> Elkton
>>
>