Bladensburg calendar 2014 flipbook

BLADENSBURG Waterfront Park

2014 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Bladensburg Waterfront Park visitors will find a picturesque park in an urban setting. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. It is nestled among the Port Towns of Bladensburg, Colmar Manor, Edmonston and Cottage City, Maryland. It provides a unique recreational, natural and historical resource for visitors and residents.

The park, formerly known as the Bladensburg Marina, is located on the Anacostia River, east of the Peace Cross Memorial. This Waterfront Park features a paved riverside walk, picnic pavilion, public fishing pier, free boat ramp, free pontoon boat tours, community boat storage, and canoe, kayak, paddleboat, and rowboat rentals. Visit the Battle of

Visitor Information

Bladensburg Visitor Center or take a walk on the Anacostia River Trail.

History of Bladensburg Waterfront Park

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n 1742 the town of Bladensburg was created on the banks of the Anacostia River. The river’s depth at that time was approximately 40 feet.

This port town was named after Maryland Governor Thomas Bladen.

The town was a vibrant commercial port with wharves, taverns and stores.

Some of the historic properties still exist: The George Washington House, a tavern during the 1700s and currently the headquarters for the Anacostia Watershed Society; Market Master’s House; Bostwick House; Magruder House; and Free Hope Baptist Church.

The success of Bladensburg as a port town during the 1700s was due

largely to Christopher Lowndes— a merchant, and shipyard and ropewalk owner—who was the town commissioner for 40 years. By the 1800s the port town began to decline due to flooding and the silting of the river. In the 1850s tobacco shipping ended when the river became too shallow for seagoing vessels. Flooding remained a problem in Bladensburg until 1954 when the Army Corps of Engineers began a flood control and navigation project. This project involved straightening parts of the river, dredging, and the construction of levees, bridges, pumping stations and highways.

In 1996 the old Bladensburg Marina began to be transformed.

The waterfront was redeveloped with a new public boating facility, visitor center, waterfront walkway, historic interpretive panels, a picnic pavilion based on a ropewalk, playground, floating docks and parking. It was re-opened to the public in 2000. In 2005, a pedestrian bridge linking Bladensburg and Colmar Manor was completed, connecting hiker-biker trails on both sides of the river.

George Washington House (top) and Market Master’s House (bottom)

Rent single or tandem kayaks, canoes, rowboats or paddle boats. Rentals are available daily, from 9 am– 5 pm from May–October. The last rental is at 4 pm. n

Canoe & Kayak Rates: Resident $16/day; Non-Resident $20/day

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Paddleboats & Rowboat Rates: Resident $8/hour, $20/day; Non-Resident $9/hour, $26/day n

Bike Rentals: Explore the Anacostia Trail system by bike: Resident Youth $5; Adult $10; Non-Resident Youth $6; Adult $12

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Fishing Rods: Resident $5; Non-Resident $6

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Senior Mondays: FREE canoe/kayak/bike rentals from April–May

RENTAL FACILITIES THE ROPEWALK PAVILION is available for rentals with 24 picnic tables and a capacity for a maximum of 150 people. All renters must have a SMARTlink account and complete a rental contract. Full payment plus the deposit is due with the reservation. Large groups or specialized functions must have permission or a reservation to use the pavilion. Alcoholic beverages and outside grilling are not permitted. All M-NCPPC park rules apply. Rentals are available daily from 9 am– 6 pm.

Call for more information.

FEE: Under 150 persons— Resident $300; Non-Resident $400 Security Deposit: $100 FEE: Over 150 persons— Resident $800; Non-Resident $960 Security Deposit: $200 CLASSROOM RENTALS are available for meetings, birthday parties and other small functions. The capacity is 40 people with table and chairs; and 50 people auditorium-style seating. Kitchen facilities are not available.

FEE: Resident $60/hour; Non-Resident $78/hour; Security Deposit (required) $100 THE COMMUNITY BOATHOUSE is available to rent for storage of canoes, kayaks and rowing shells for individuals and teams.

Monthly rates are based on boat length: Indoor fee $1.60/foot; Outdoor fee $1.40/foot BOAT SHEDS (80-square feet) are available for rent.

Fee: $1/month per square foot; $960/year

R ENTA LS | 1

Rentals

RENTAL HOURS & RATES

Social Studies & Science Programs

Curriculum Programs Bladensburg Waterfront Park offers science and social studies curriculum programs to grades kindergarten through eighth at our location or at your school. Please call for more information.

SCIENCE n Animal

Babies & Habitats Characteristics n Life Cycles of Plants & Animals n Meteorology & Weather n Natural Resources n Nature Senses n Plants, Photosynthesis & Cycles n Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Conservation n Water & You n Weather & The Water Cycle n Wetlands & River Ecology n Young Surgeons-Life Science/Biology n Animal

SOCIAL STUDIES n 19th

Century Prince George’s County of Bladensburg & the War of 1812 n Native Americans Along the Anacostia River n Battle

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM n Guided

Bike Tours Detectives n Nature Detectives n History

2 | SOCIAL STUDIES & SCIENCE PROGRAMS

Saturday, May 17, 12 noon – 4 pm Bring the entire family to enjoy this exciting event featuring birds of prey, reptiles, farm animals, a puppet show, food vendors, arts & crafts and much more! All ages; FREE

OPEN HOUSE ON THE WATERFRONT Saturday, May 31, 9 am – 3 pm Co-sponsored by M-NCPPC and Ladders-N-Things, enjoy a free, fun day in the park. Enjoy free refreshments and learn basic fishing and canoe paddling techniques. All necessary materials provided. All ages; FREE

CARIBBEAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL Saturday, June 7, 12 noon – 8 pm Hosted by the Caribbean Council of Prince George’s County, experience “A Taste of the Caribbean.” Enjoy live performances, delicious food, craft vendors, free boat rides, “pon de river” and more. All ages; FREE

ARTS ON THE WATERFRONT Sundays, June 15–August 3, 6 – 7:30 pm Join us when the Waterfront springs to life with music and entertainment: Jazz, R&B, Reggae, Dance, Blues, Rock and a Puppet Show. Refreshments will be available for purchase. All ages; FREE

SPECIAL EVENT: 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR OF 1812 AND THE BATTLE OF BLADENSBURG COMMEMORATION Saturday, August 23, 1– 9 pm Watch historic re-enactments, and visit exhibitors & vendors.

Enjoy music, fireworks and more.

PORT TOWNS DAY Saturday, September 27, 12 noon– 9 pm Rain Date: October 11 Enjoy music, prizes, food, crafts, vendors and other activities. Co-sponsored by M-NCPPC and the Towns of Bladensburg, Colmar Manor, Edmonston and Cottage City. All ages; FREE

TEENS & JEANS FOR THE HOMELESS WALK-A-THON Saturday, November 22, 10 am– 2 pm Walk the Anacostia River Trail and help bring awareness to homelessness. Enjoy a marching band, live entertainment and refreshments.

Bring clean, gently worn jeans of all sizes for those in need. All ages; FREE

COMMUNITY EVENTS/PROGRAMS | 3

Community Evnets/Programs

A-MAY-ZING ANIMAL FEST

History Programs & Events

All programs begin at 1 pm except for October programs which begin at 6:30 pm.

MARCH 12 Wednesday, “A Soldier’s Life” 19 Wednesday, “A Sailor’s Life” 26 Wednesday, Workshop: “The Art of Quill Writing”

APRIL 9 Wednesday, “18th Century Letter Writing” 16 Wednesday, “A Sailor’s Life” 23 Wednesday, “The Audacious Joshua Barney” 30 Wednesday, “The Audacious Joshua Barney: The American Revolution”

AUGUST 9 Saturday, “History Alive: Dolley Madison Show & Tea”

13 Wednesday, The Battle of Bladensburg Pontoon Boat Tour

23 Saturday, War of 1812 Battle of Bladensburg Commemoration

SEPTEMBER 17 Wednesday, “The History of The Port of Bladensburg”

OCTOBER 10 Friday, “The Ghost of Dueling Creek Campfire & Night Hike”

24 Friday, “Pirates of the

MAY 10 Saturday, “History Alive Dolley Madison Show & Tea”

21 Wednesday, “A Sailor’s Life” 28 Wednesday, “The Art of Quill Writing”

JUNE 11 Wednesday, “A Sailor’s Life” 14 Saturday, “Ships Ahoy: Pirates of the Chesapeake”

25 Wednesday, The Star Spangled Banner Program & Boat Tours

JULY 9 Wednesday, “19th Century Prince George’s County”

23 Wednesday, “The British on the Chesapeake”

4 | HISTORY PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Chesapeake: Evening Campfire & Boat Ride”

NOVEMBER 12 Wednesday, “A Soldier’s Life”

Join a Park Naturalist on a pontoon boat for an environmental or historical tour of the scenic Anacostia River. n

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Weekday Boat Tours Tuesdays – Fridays, April 16 – October 31, 12 noon – 12:45 pm Registration begins at 11:30 am Evening Boat Tours Saturdays & Sundays, May 4– October 27, 5– 5:45 pm Registration begins at 4:30 pm Fishing Boat Tours June 22 & September 21, 9 am– 12 noon Fee: Resident $5; Non-Resident $6 Bird Watching Tours March 22, 1– 3 pm; June 29 & September 7, 9– 11 am Fee: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3 Groups of 15 or more people must schedule their own environmental or historical tour with a program.

Fee: Resident $2/person; Non-Resident $3/person

RIVER CLEAN-UPS n

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Earth Day Clean-up & Celebration 2014 Saturday, April 5, 9:30 am– 12 noon Sponsored by Anacostia Watershed Society; After the clean-up, at 1 pm, join us for a celebration at RFK Stadium. Enjoy a free lunch, live entertainment and environmental displays.

Global Youth Service Day Saturday, April 12, 9 am– 12 noon Join youth around the world and make a difference in your community.

Earn service learning hours. Clean-up the Anacostia River, plant flowers & trees and beautify the park. Enjoy refreshments, give-a-ways and much more. Registration required. Ages 10 & up Anacostia River Clean-ups Saturdays, June 14, September 6 & October 4, 9:30 am– 12 noon To register online, visit www.pgparks.com and click on Volunteers.

ANACOSTIA RIVER BOAT TOURS | 5

Anacostia River Boat Tours & River Clean-ups

ANACOSTIA RIVER BOAT TOURS

Nature Programs

KIDS’ DAY OUT March 28 & April 15, 9 am – 4:30 pm Explore the outdoors! Go boating, fishing, hiking and more. Ask about earning service learning hours. Materials provided.

Ages 5-12 FEE: Resident $25; Non-Resident $30

FISHING CLINIC 101 Sundays, April 27, May 18 & July 22, 10 am –1 pm Learn basic fishing techniques such as casting, handling fish and fish safety. Children 12 & under must be accompanied by an adult.

Ages 6 & up FEE: Resident $5; Non-Resident $6

NATURE BIKE TOUR Saturdays May 3, July 19 & September 6, 10 am–1 pm Take a guided bike tour to explore our natural environment. Children 16 & under must be accompanied by an adult.

Ages 8 & up FEE: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3

BUTTERFLY HIKE Saturday, May 24 & September 13, 11 am–2 pm Join a naturalist in search of butterflies. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a lunch. Materials provided. Children 10 & under must be accompanied by an adult.

FEE: Resident $2; Non-Resident $3

FEE STRUCTURE: Residents are persons living within Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. Non-Residents are persons living in all other jurisdictions. Reservations are required for all programs.

TO REGISTER, visit www.pgparks.com and click on the SMARTlink logo.

6 | NATURE PROGRAMS

Hours: Daily, 10 am-4 pm The Visitors Center is located along the Anacostia River near the site of the Battle of Bladensburg in the War of 1812. This devastating American military defeat allowed the British to proceed into Washington, D.C. where many government buildings were burned, including the U.S. Capitol and The White House. The Center uses photos, artifacts and other media to tell the fascinating story of the people, places and events of the battle in Prince George’s County.

Historical and archeological artifacts from the British troop encampments of Nottingham are displayed along with narrative historical accounts.

The Battle of Bladensburg Visitor Center offers programs and activities for all ages. For more information, visit history.pgparks.com. n

Discussions & Lectures

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Historical & Living History Demonstrations

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Scheduled Interpretive Historical Pontoon Boat Tours

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School Curriculum Programs

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Special Guest Speakers

BATTLE OF BLADENSBURG VISITORS CENTER | 7

Battle of Bladensburg Visitors Center

BATTLE OF BLADENSBURG VISITORS CENTER

Boat Programs

MARYLAND BOATING SAFETY CLASS Saturday & Sunday, March 29 & 30 or April 26 & 27, 8:30 am– 1 pm The Maryland Boating Safety Course is required for all power boat operators. Earn your Certificate of Boating Safety Education.

Ages 12 & up FEE: $25/person

KAYAK & CANOE LESSONS Learn paddling skills from a certified instructor. Children 16 & under must be accompanied by an adult.

Ages 11 & up FEE: Resident $25; Non-Resident $30 n Kayak Lessons: Saturdays, May 24, June 28, July 26, September 13 & October 25, 10 am– 2 pm n Canoe Lessons: Saturdays, June 7, July 5 & September 20, 10 am– 2 pm

PADDLE SPORT TOURS Saturdays, June 21, July 19 & August 10, 10 am–2 pm Join a naturalist for a paddling excursion in a kayak or canoe to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Children 16 & under must be accompanied by an adult.

FEE: Resident $10; Non-Resident $12

FREE FAMILY SUNDAYS Sundays, June 22, July 27, August 24, September 21 & October 26 Enjoy a FREE, one-hour canoe, kayak or paddle boat rental. Call for times about this M-NCPPC Health &Wellness Initiative.

FEE STRUCTURE: Residents are persons living within Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. Non-Residents are persons living in all other jurisdictions. Reservations are required for all programs.

TO REGISTER, visit www.pgparks.com and click on the SMARTlink logo.

Volunteer Opportunities There are many opportunities to volunteer at the Park and earn service learning hours.

To register online, visit www.pgparks.com and click on Volunteers.

8 | BOAT PROGRAMS

Join us as the Waterfront springs to life with music and entertainment.

Refreshments will be available for sale. Sponsored by M-NCPPC and the Port Towns Center at Colmar Manor.

All shows are from 6–7:30 pm and are FREE. June 15 Dr. S.O. Feelgood Sweet Soul Music Man Blues, Soul, R&B Music June 22 Energetic African Drumming, Song & Dance June 29 Sharon Thomas Experience Jazz, R&B, Funk Music July 6 The Uncle Devin Show Musical Children’s Show July 13 The Crawdaddies Louisiana’s Cajun, Zydeco, Blues & Rock July 20 Laura Sosa & “Pa’ Gozar” Latin Rhythms, Cumbia, Bachata, Salsa & Merengue July 27 Country Band August 3 Oasis Island Sounds Caribbean Music, Calypso, Reggae & Steel Pan

SUMMER CONCERTS | 9

Summer Concert Series

ARTS ON THE WATERFRONT

MAIN GALLERY | 10

PPC PR PA 3/14

Produced by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Natural and Historical Resources Division.

The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation.

BATTLE OF BLADENSBURG VISITOR CENTER: Open Daily, 10 am– 4 pm

OFFICE HOURS: Open Daily, 8:30 am – 5 pm

PARK HOURS: Open daily from sunrise to sunset.

DIRECTIONS: From the Capital Beltway, take Kenilworth Avenue (Rt. 201) South, and exit at Route 450 West/Bladensburg. Turn left onto Route 450, go 300 feet and turn left into Bladensburg Waterfront Park at the sign. This entrance is 500 feet east of the Peace Cross Memorial.

4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, Maryland 20710 Information: 301-779-0371; TTY 301-699-2544 www.pgparks.com

BLADENSBURG WATERFRONT PARK PAID

Riverdale, MD Permit #1083

PRSRT STD Postage