Get on down to the new Pirate’s Wharf Park in Quantico! Phase 1 is underway and it’s officially ready for visitors. Children will enjoy the play equipment and be able to explore a bit and you’ll gain an appreciation of what’s on the horizon as Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism continues to develop this new west side attraction.

The entire property is more than 340 acres on both sides of Whitehaven Road. The first phase, on the east side of the road and bordering Wicomico River, is referred to as the farmland section, because that’s what it was for many years.  The farmhouse that was there years ago was demolished and a spacious pavilion and playground have been installed. A bathroom building is there as well. To get to the park, head down Nanticoke Road, turn onto Whitehaven Road and travel 2.6 miles. You’ll see the sign on the left and a short driveway leading to the park with plenty of parking.

Once the 7,500 saplings that were planted in the spring grow tall, you'll drive by woods, but for now it's open fields. The project, designed by local architectural firm Davis, Bowen & Friedel Inc., capitalized appropriately on a nature theme for the playground. Details matter and from the mushroom stools to the bear hiding in the hollow of a playground tree, it is a unique play area. The pavilion, built by Gillis Gilkerson of Salisbury, features a circular part that juts out, and I foresee plenty of happy events happening in this space. It would be beautiful to host a wedding here! Gillis Gilkerson also constructed the comfort station, AKA the bathrooms.

Just beyond the pavilion is the river. It's a short walk to the water, yet far enough that parents don’t have to worry about kids accidentally finding their way to it. The dock that’s currently there is not accessible except by climbing over weeds, but plans are in the works for a boat ramp, a soft launch area for canoes and kayaks, and a fishing pier by 2025. County officials are hopeful that trails will be finished in this first phase and interpretive exhibits will be constructed in early 2024.

A significant portion of the funds to finance the venture were provided by a federal grant of $820,000 from the National Parks Service through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Money also came from state programs, the Waterway Improvement Grant and Project Open space, and county funds as well.

On the other side of Whitehaven Road, the property encompasses 225 acres of old growth forest tracts, and plans include a Woodland Trail to be developed. What were once trails has become overgrown and filled with trash, at least near the entrance, and I'm looking forward to seeing it all cleaned up so we can enjoy nature the way it should be.

Address: 4701 Whitehaven Rd.

Quantico, MD 21856

www.wicomicorecandparks.org/parks-new/pirate-s-wharf

At that link, you can see the master plan for the park and also read the history of the area, one of the earliest settlements on the Eastern Shore.