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Smallwood State Park Celebrates its 50th Anniversary on Oct. 11
Families Invited to See Revolutionary War Reenactors, Fishing Tournament for Wounded Warriors Part of Day’s Events
Marbury, Md. — Smallwood State Park, one of Maryland’s favorite venues for fishing tournaments, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 11 with a fun-filled day of family events, including arts and crafts, Revolutionary War reenactors and wildlife and environmental displays from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ popular Scales and Tales program.
The 628-acre park in southern Maryland also will host a fishing tournament for wounded war veterans from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, cosponsored by Catfish Nation. With its easy access to the Potomac River, picnic grounds and hiking and birding trails, Fort Smallwood offers disabled veterans the opportunity to enjoy the spiritual and therapeutic uplift of the outdoors. For instance, the park was one of seven stops on the annual Paralyzed Veterans of America’s National Bass Tour in July.
"Over the last 50 years, Smallwood State Park has evolved into one of Maryland’s great gems,” said Park Manager Patrick Bright Jr. “In fact, there are few parks like it in the country. It melds wonderful opportunities for family recreation, access to revolutionary era culture and history, and one of the nation's very finest venues for world class, competitive bass fishing."
The park is named in honor of Major General William Smallwood, the highest ranking Marylander to serve in the Revolutionary War and the state’s fourth governor. His home, Smallwood’s Retreat, has been restored and is open to visitors as an example of the lifestyle of an 18th century gentleman planter. Tours are conducted by costumed docents.
"Well known now for bass tournaments large and small, Smallwood State Park began as a few acres surrounding the re-constructed home of General William Smallwood. The tidewater home continues to be the heart of the park, which serves as a favorite gateway to historical and outdoor recreation in Southern Maryland,” said Nancy Gill, president of Friends of Smallwood State Park. “Volunteering as a docent at the Smallwood house has given me the opportunity to meet and share stories with visitors from all over the country and abroad.”
Anniversary events are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, or to learn more about the park, visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/southern/smallwood.html.
“We are also grateful for the decades of volunteer and financial support offered by the Friends of Smallwood State Park, whom without we could not continue to offer such enjoyable and educational programs and experiences to so many visitors,” added Bright.
October 3, 2008 Contact: Wiley Hall
410-260-8002 office I 410-507-7526 cell
whall@dnr.state.md.usMaryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov.