New Hiking Trails Open at Former Bay Club, Berlin
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Maryland’s Wetland Restoration Efforts and New Recreational Opportunities at Former Bay Club Property
Table of Contents
- Maryland’s Wetland Restoration Efforts and New Recreational Opportunities at Former Bay Club Property
- Q&A: Exploring Maryland’s Wetland Restoration and Recreation at the Former Bay Club property
- General Details
- Recreational Opportunities
- Wetland Restoration Project
- Q: What environmental restoration plans are underway?
- Q: Why is wetland restoration vital in this area?
- Q: How will the hydrology be restored?
- Q: How many acres of forested wetlands will be restored?
- Q: Who is funding the restoration project?
- Q: What are the overall goals of the environmental restoration?
- Summary Table: Recreational Activities and Restoration Goals
Angela Crenshaw named among USA TODAY Women of the Year for Maryland
Maryland Park Service Director Angela Crenshaw, the first Black woman too lead the association, is honored as one of USA today’s Women of the Year.
- The former Bay Club property in Worcester County, now managed by the Maryland Forest Service, is open to the public for hiking, hunting, trapping, and biking.
- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is working to restore the property’s hydrology by plugging ditches and re-wetting the land.
- The project, funded by a grant from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal bays Trust Fund, will restore over 100 acres of forested wetlands.
Adventurous hikers can now explore new trails at the former Bay Club property in Worcester County. Managed by the Maryland Forest Service,the property is set to undergo significant environmental improvements. This initiative highlights Maryland’s commitment to wetland restoration and providing recreational opportunities.
The currently unimproved trails offer approximately 12 miles for hiking across the land, previously used for fairways and farms. Since the Forest Service opened the property to the public in August 2023, it has become a destination for hunting, trapping, hiking, and biking.
These trails, remnants of old cart paths and access roads, are open but unmaintained. Visitors are advised to wear appropriate outdoor clothing and boots.Forest Manager Alex Clark and his team are evaluating which trails to maintain, with plans to mark and grade selected routes.A map of the current trails is available on the Environmental Restoration Plans Underway
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is advancing environmental restoration plans for the 672-acre site, located in the headwaters of the Pocomoke River. This project underscores the importance of climate resilience and ecological balance. Historically, farmers created deep agricultural ditches to drain the property for corn and soybean cultivation and to prevent flooding at the former golf course. This drainage system directly impacts the Pocomoke River. To restore hydrology, specialists will plug these ditches, allowing water to return to the landscape. The goal is to capture water and re-wet areas altered by farming and golf course construction. Discover the exciting changes happening at the former Bay Club property in Worcester County, Maryland. This Q&A explores the wetland restoration efforts, new recreational opportunities, and what you need to no before you visit. The former Bay Club property is located in Worcester County, Maryland, in the headwaters of the Pocomoke River. The Maryland Forest Service manages the property. The Forest Service opened the property to the public in August 2023. The property offers opportunities for: There are approximately 12 miles of unimproved trails across the land. No,the trails are currently unimproved and unmaintained. Visitors should wear appropriate outdoor clothing and boots. A map of the current trails is available on the Chesapeake Forest Land webpage. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is working on environmental restoration plans for the 672-acre site. The project aims to restore the property’s hydrology by plugging ditches and re-wetting the land. Historically, the property was drained using agricultural ditches for corn and soybean cultivation and to prevent flooding of the former golf course. This drainage system directly impacts the pocomoke river. Restoring the hydrology will help create a healthier ecosystem. Specialists will plug the ditches to allow water to return to the landscape,capturing water and re-wetting areas altered by farming and golf course construction. The project will restore over 100 acres of forested wetlands. The project is funded by a grant from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal bays Trust Fund. The goals are to improve climate resilience and ecological balance within the Pocomoke River headwaters.
Restoring Hydrology for a Healthier Ecosystem
Q&A: Exploring Maryland’s Wetland Restoration and Recreation at the Former Bay Club property
General Details
Q: Where is the former Bay Club property located?
Q: Who manages the former Bay Club property?
Q: When did the property open to the public?
Recreational Opportunities
Q: What recreational activities are available at the former Bay Club property?
Q: How many miles of trails are available for hiking?
Q: Are the trails maintained?
Q: Where can I find a map of the trails?
Wetland Restoration Project
Q: What environmental restoration plans are underway?
Q: Why is wetland restoration vital in this area?
Q: How will the hydrology be restored?
Q: How many acres of forested wetlands will be restored?
Q: Who is funding the restoration project?
Q: What are the overall goals of the environmental restoration?
Summary Table: Recreational Activities and Restoration Goals
Category
Details
Recreational Activities
Hiking, Hunting, Trapping, Biking (approximately 12 miles of unimproved trails)
Restoration Goals
Restore hydrology, re-wet altered areas, restore over 100 acres of forested wetlands, improve climate resilience and ecological balance.
Funding Source
Chesapeake and Atlantic coastal bays Trust Fund