New Guide Promotes Water Trails In St. Mary's County

Annapolis, Md. (July 21, 2010) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Boating Services and local government offices have created a water trails guide featuring the tributaries of St. Mary’s peninsula. The new guide, titled Water Trails in St. Mary’s County: Explore the Trails of the Tidal Potomac, includes maps and information detailing paddling routes along several water trails in the western part of the county. The colorful guide, printed on waterproof, tear-proof paper, was designed primarily for those touring by kayak and canoe, but also includes information on public boating access points in the area and amenities managed by St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks and others.

“The guide is a wonderful resource for people who wish to learn more about St. Mary’s County’s rich natural resources,” said Francis Jack Russell, President of the Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County. “It also offers information about historic and cultural places that can be found on and near the trails.”

Project coordination, design, and technical assistance was provided by DNR’s Boating Services in partnership with the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks, St. Mary’s Division of Tourism and with support from the Town of Leonardtown and a committee of local paddling enthusiasts. Funds to print the brochure were provided through grants from the Recreational Trails Program of the State Highway Administration, the Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium, and St. Mary’s County Government.

“DNR is pleased to introduce this new water trails guide created through a partnership with our friends in St. Mary’s County,” said DNR Secretary John R. Griffin. “The guide is another great resource for exploring Maryland’s ever-growing network of water trails and public access.”

The guide is one of a series of water trail maps created by DNR’s Boating Services in partnership with local governments. These guides contribute to development of the statewide network of water trails and public access points that DNR has developed over the past decade and continues to implement.

Copies of the new water trails guide are available from the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks, St. Mary’s Division of Tourism, and DNR’s Boating Services office. An electronic version of the guide can be viewed and downloaded at www.visitstmarysmd.com. To receive a free copy, call 800-327-9023 or visit www.dnr.state.md.us/boating for more information.

For more information about Maryland’s water trails, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/boating.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million 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 11 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