The Popes Creek Waterfront Park Living Shoreline Design in Maryland has been selected as one of the 22 projects nationwide to receive federal funding through the Coastal Zone Management Act, as announced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on April 22. The initiative will benefit from a $120,865 grant aimed at transforming the site of the former Gilligan’s Pier restaurant into a nature-based public park.
This funding effort, spearheaded by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and awarded to the Resilience Authority of Charles County, focuses on combating the adverse effects of climate change through shoreline restoration and habitat enhancement. Sam Drury, Deputy Director of the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, emphasized the dual benefits of the project. “By repurposing the former Gilligan’s Restaurant into a public park, we’re not only enhancing recreational opportunities by providing access to the water but also addressing the impacts of climate change with the planned shoreline and habitat restoration,” he stated.
The design of the Popes Creek Waterfront Park is poised to employ nature-based solutions to address issues like sea level rise, erosion, and storm events. Project planners aim to ensure the park’s sustainability and resilience through features such as vegetated headlands, which help reduce erosion, and native marsh plantings, which stabilize the shoreline and enhance water quality while providing habitats for aquatic life.
In addition to environmental benefits, the park will offer a variety of amenities over its 17 acres of waterfront property. Plans include a boardwalk, bike trails, wetland fishing and crabbing areas, a nature center, and other outdoor activities, aiming to enhance community engagement with the natural environment.
Stacy Schafer, Executive Director of the Resilience Authority of Charles County, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the project. “The ongoing collaboration between the Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism and the Charles County Resilience Authority highlights our dedication to creating resilient and accessible public spaces,” she remarked.
In total, NOAA has allocated $59.8 million to support 22 coastal management program projects across the country. For more details on the awards and a full list of recipients, interested parties can access further information through NOAA’s official channels.