Fort Smallwood Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Smallwood Park |
|
|---|---|
Battery Hartshorne, Fort Smallwood Park, December 2009
|
|
| Location | Anne Arundel County, Maryland, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Pasadena, Maryland |
| Established | 1928 |
| Governing body | Anne Arundel County, Maryland |
Fort Smallwood Park is a county park in northeastern Anne Arundel County. It is located near Riviera Beach and Pasadena, Maryland, in the United States. The park sits right where the Patapsco River flows into the large Chesapeake Bay.
On April 1, 2006, Fort Smallwood Park became part of the Anne Arundel County Park System. Before that, it belonged to Baltimore City for many years. The change happened after a long time of talks between the city and the county.
On September 19, 2009, a new fishing pier was officially opened. It is about 380 feet (116 meters) long. This pier was named the "Bill Burton Fishing Pier" after Bill Burton. He was a famous outdoors writer for The Baltimore Sun newspaper. The old pier was destroyed in 2003 by Hurricane Isabel. From the pier, you can see the old Sparrows Point steel plant.
Fort Smallwood Road leads to the park. This road connects from southern Baltimore City, past the U.S. Coast Guard Yard. It goes through coastal towns like Riviera Beach and Pasadena before reaching the old fort and park.
Contents
History of Fort Smallwood Park
A Fort for Coastal Defense
From 1896 to 1928, Fort Smallwood was a military fort. It was built during the time of the Spanish–American War. Its job was to help protect the harbor, along with other forts like Fort Howard and Fort Armistead.
The fort was named after Maj. Gen. William Smallwood. He was a hero in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Later, he became the fourth governor of Maryland.
From Military Fort to City Park
In 1928, Fort Smallwood stopped being a military fort. It became a city park for Baltimore. For many years, from the 1930s to the 1980s, it was a very popular place. Families from the city and county loved to come here for picnics, swimming, and fishing.
Over time, other places like Ocean City became more popular. This happened especially after the Chesapeake Bay Bridge was built in 1952. Fort Smallwood was one of the few city parks located outside the main city limits.
Battery Hartshorne
The park is home to Battery Hartshorne. This part of the fort was named on November 18, 1902. It honors Captain Benjamin M. Hartshorne, Jr. He was a soldier who died in battle in the Philippine Islands in 1902. Two large six-inch guns were placed here from 1900 to 1927. These guns could "disappear" into their mounts after firing.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Fort Smallwood Park offers many activities for visitors.
- Picnic areas are perfect for outdoor meals.
- You can enjoy walking trails through nature.
- There are horseshoe pits and volleyball courts for family fun.
- Explore the historic gun battery and old barracks, like Battery Hartshorne.
- Relax on the Chesapeake Bay beaches.
- Visit the historic picnic pavilion.
- Kids can play at the playground.
- Go fishing from the Bill Burton Fishing Pier.
- Use the boat ramps to launch your boat.
- Swimming is also allowed in certain areas.
Gallery
-
Cedar Pavilion, Fort Smallwood Park, December 2009
