First ever state park coming to Wicomico County

WICOMICO CO., Md. – The Maryland Board of Public Works recently approved $396 million for projects across the state.

Some of that money is going to help fund the first ever state park in Wicomico County.

The board approved $3.6 million dollars in Program Open Space funding for the state park.

Local leaders we spoke with Thursday said the county’s first state park is long overdue.

“I don’t think many people in Wicomico County had ever given much thought to the fact that we were the only county in the state without a state park,” said Mike Dunn, President & CEO of the Greater Salisbury Committee.

Dunn is excited for the new state park coming to Wicomico County. He helped start a task force to lobby for a state park in the county.

“We learned of this three or four weeks ago when we had the state parks superintendent attend our task force meeting and she shared with us, ‘hey, I have good news, there’s a state park coming to Wicomico County,'” he said.

The new state park is part of the Long Hill Property, a 445-acre 18th century plantation listed on the National Registry of Historical Places.

The park itself runs along Wetipquin Creek.

“Just listening to the state officials yesterday, they’re going to hopefully have very nature-driven opportunities for camping and trail walking and hiking and I believe some hunting on the property,” said Dunn.

Dunn said talks for the park began several years ago between the state of Maryland and the land owner.

Bill Chambers with the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce applauds the state’s work in the matter.

“It’s been a long time coming and I’m proud that the governor’s administration and the members of the Board of Public Works decided in what was a really tough year to go ahead and move forward with the Wetipquin State Park,” he said.

Chambers calls the park a “gem” and said he thinks the park will have far-reaching impacts on the county in a positive way.

“It’s going to increase tourism, visitation to the county and any time someone visits our county they usually find that the quality of life and the great lifestyle we have is not only conducive to living here, but maybe opening a business,” said Chambers.

Chambers is hoping that the state parks system can gain public access to the land as soon as possible so they can get residents and visitors out enjoying the park sooner rather than later.