New veterans retreat to come to Dorchester

A retreat where wounded veterans and their families can come hunt, fish and enjoy outdoors, that’s what Patriot Point soon will be.

Formerly privately owned land known as Poverty Point, the DC Bowl Committee, which puts on the Military College Football bowl closed on the property late last month.

Monday Sen. Addie Eckardt and state delegate ?Johnny Mautz toured the 290 acre property to see where it stands now and to hear what the plans are for the future.

“To have a spot where they can heal and spend time with families and get outdoors and be quiet and away the hustle and bustle of the city is most significant and very exciting,” Eckardt said.

According to executive director of the committee, Steve Beck, the property will be stocked with a variety of game including 1,500 hundred ducks, Sika deer and turkey.

Mautz, a hunter himself, says the property is a paradise for shooting game.

“It’s always been a great place to go so the trails are set up, the blinds are set up and it’s a sure thing as far as going out to have a good experience going out and hunting,” Mautz said.

Beck said they’re in the process of evaluating what needs to be done and how much it will cost. The state of Maryland put up $500,000 in grant money to help with that.

“We’re putting together a five year plan right now and it’s probably going to start with a new barn and a caretakers house, a lot of new landscaping and redoing all the blinds, there’s 13 blinds on the property,” Beck said.

Beck adds the organization has already started working with the USO about implementing a program to allow veterans with terminal cancer and their families to use the property during the summer.

Beck aims to start hosting veterans in October