Sandy Point State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sandy Point State Park |
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Sandy Point from the Bay Bridge
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 Sandy Point State Park
Location in Maryland
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| Location | Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States |
| Nearest city | Annapolis, Maryland |
| Area | 786 acres (318 ha) |
| Elevation | 13 ft (4.0 m) |
| Designation | Maryland state park |
| Established | 1948 |
| Administrator | Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Sandy Point State Park |
Sandy Point State Park is a super popular place to visit on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. It's located right at the western end of the huge Chesapeake Bay Bridge. This park is famous for its awesome swimming beach. More than a million people visit it every year! Inside the park, you can also see the old Sandy Point Farmhouse. There's even a historic lighthouse, the Sandy Point Shoal Light, standing in the water not too far from the beach.
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Discover Sandy Point State Park
Sandy Point State Park is a large public area where people can have fun outdoors. It covers about 786 acres, which is like 600 football fields! The park is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. It's a great spot for families and friends to enjoy nature.
What Can You Do at Sandy Point?
The park offers many cool activities for visitors. You can spend the day swimming at the beach. It's also a fantastic place for fishing and crabbing. If you like to explore, there are hiking trails nearby. You might even spot some local wildlife! The park has a nature center, picnic areas, and a marina store. You can even rent boats to go out on the water.
Hiking Trails and Nature Exploration
Right next to the park is a forest called Corcoran Woods. It has about 4 miles of hiking trails. These trails are perfect for a walk or a run. They let you see different parts of the natural area. You can enjoy the trees and look for animals.
The Historic Sandy Point Farmhouse
The Sandy Point Farmhouse is a very old building. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site. You can see the farmhouse from the main park road. However, it is not open for people to go inside.
Special Events at the Park
Every January, Sandy Point State Park hosts a unique event. It's called the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge. During this event, people run into the cold Chesapeake Bay! They do this to raise money for Special Olympics. It's a fun way to support a good cause.
History of Sandy Point State Park
The land for Sandy Point State Park was bought by the state in 1948. Before it was a park, it was a place where ferries would land. These ferries carried people and cars across the bay. They traveled between this spot and Kent Island. The park officially opened its doors in 1952.
A Step Towards Fairness: Park Integration
When the park first opened, it had separate beaches and bathhouses. These were for different groups of people. This practice was called segregation. In 1955, a legal case challenged this rule. The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court decided that the park had to allow everyone to use all its facilities. This decision helped make sure that state beaches and other public places were fair for everyone. It was an important step for equal rights.
