Warm Weather is a Perfect Excuse to Check Out Area Parks

Spring is in the air—flowers in bloom, leaves on the trees, warm sunny skies and hot dogs on the grill. Sounds of birds chirping and a warm breeze blowing make you want to head outdoors.
Lather up the kids with sunscreen, put on your shades and head to the park for some outdoor fun with the family. Picnics and barbeques are just some of many things to do at the park. Check out what these area parks have to offer:

Kinder Farm Park is 288 acres with 2.8 miles of paved hike-and-bike trails. Here you will find a farm complex with livestock that includes chickens, turkeys, geese, cows, pigs, goats and sheep. You can also go horseback riding—but no carts or wagons allowed. This park has miles of nature trails and paths, fishing, disc golf course and community gardens. You will also see artifacts from the 1930s including a tobacco press.

Location: 1001 Kinder Farm Park Rd., Millersville
Phone: 410-222-6115; hotline 410-222-6122
Hours: 7 a.m. to dusk (closed on Tuesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Fees: $6 per vehicle

Downs Park is 236 acres with a five-mile paved hike-and-bike trail. The playground and picnic areas are plentiful, but they also offer a fishing pier and dog beach—but swimming is not allowed. On a first-come, first-serve basis there are four handball courts, two ball fields and three basketball courts. In the spring and summer months you may even be able to see people getting married at the wedding garden. They also have the Chesapeake Room available for rent for indoor events and a youth camping area. Pavilions are by permit only.

Location: 8311 John Downs Loop, Pasadena
Phone: 410-222-6230; hotline 410-222-6239
Hours: 7 a.m. to dusk, closed on Tuesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas
Fees: $6 per vehicle
Events: Saturday, May 14, 2011—Family Day
            Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011—Annual Dog Day on the Bay 10 a.m.

Lake Waterford Park is open year-round (excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) and offers a picnic and play area for families. There is a large pond for fishing and feeding the ducks. Basketball court and playing fields for county organized league play.

Location: 830 Pasadena Road, Pasadena

Hours: 7 a.m. to dusk

Fort Smallwood Park is the newest regional park in Anne Arundel County and has been recently renovated with many improvements. In addition to picnic areas and walking trails, it offers horseshoe pits, volleyball courts and a fishing pier, but there's no swimming. This park has been named an "Important Bird Area" and is home for birdwatchers and admirers of local scenery. In addition, you will see historic gun battery, pavilions and old barracks.

Location: 9500 Fort Smallwood Rd., Pasadena
Phone: 410-222-6230
Hours: 7 a.m. to dusk (closed on Wednesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
Fees: $6 per vehicle


Quiet Waters Park offers kayaks, canoes, rowboats, paddle and pedal boats for rent. Lessons also are available. With 340 acres and a scenic view of South River and Harness Creek, this park has a reflecting pool, ice rink, Quiet Waters Café and six picnic pavilions–available by reservation only. You can walk, jog or bike through the six miles of trails and bikes are available for rent. Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.

Location: 600 Quiet Waters Park Rd., Annapolis
Phone: 410-222-1777
Hours: 7 a.m. to dusk (closed Tuesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Fees: $6 per vehicle
Event: Saturday, April 23—Earth Day Celebration, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Allen Pond Park is one of two major parks in the Bowie area. This 85-acre park has an ice arena, amphitheater, boat rentals, a skate park, a 10-acre stocked pond, six lighted ball fields, picnic areas and pavilions, walking and biking trails, horseshoe pits, a lighted basketball court, a fitness station and several playground areas. It is also the home of Opportunity Park, which offers a tot lot, school-aged playground, fitness cluster and fishing pier. Anyone age 16 and older must have a Maryland fishing license, which is obtainable at any fishing supply outlet.

Location: 3330 Northview Drive, Bowie
Phone: 301-809-3011 or 301-262-6200, ext. 3011
Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
Fees: No access fee (event fees apply)