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July Photo Contest Winner
Spring in the Garden
by Bill Reichhardt
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President’s Message
Let us live like flowers – wild and beautiful and drenched in sun.
Ellen Everett
Summer is in full bloom in Quiet Waters Park. Even as the heat increases, the Park is ever-welcoming for picnics in the shade or quiet contemplation at the Overlook. Early morning and later in the afternoon are still great times for a leisurely stroll along the pathways.
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The highlight of every summer - free concerts on the lawn - will begin Saturday, July 19th and continue to August 31st at 5:30pm. Each band offers a different musical style and there will be different food trucks as well. Check the Concert Schedule before you go since start times change as the summer days get shorter and sometimes concerts have to be canceled due to weather. The Friends will be at our tent and walking around selling raffle tickets for desirable donations from local merchants. We look forward to meeting concert-goers, so please stop by and say “Hello!”
We all love the vista from South River Overlook and the Friends have a plan underway – but we need your help. Our vision is for a large wayside sign describing the variety of birds that live along the South River framed by two new state-of-the art viewing scopes that will be free to use - no more quarters needed - and swivel around, too! This project will be funded by grants and by generous donors from our community. We are almost there! Please help us reach our goal by donating to the Clearer View Campaign.
Walking through the park you will notice how the native gardens planted last year by Annapolis High School Students and the Watershed Stewards Academy volunteers are beginning to flourish and their beauty is becoming easier to see and appreciate! The final Watershed Stewards Capstone project was completed and celebrated on June 5th, World Environmental Day - it’s a floating wetland! The floating wetland is visible just off the dock by Capital SUP. Information about the process of creating floating wetlands for your local creek, will be available soon on the Watershed Stewards website.
See you in the Park!
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Stacy Lund Levy
Guided Tranquility
Annapolis Watercolor Club
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Theresa Jackson
Golden Sunset Gozo
Annapolis Watercolor Club
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Art Gallery Exhibit
Annapolis Watercolor Club
50th Anniversary Exhibit
Through July 6
Continuing in the Galleries through July 6th the Annapolis Watercolor Club (AWC) is holding a special exhibition celebrating their 50th Anniversary. The theme of the exhibit is “gold” (50th “Golden” Anniversary) and all paintings in the exhibit contain the color gold (metallic, metallic leaf or other golden color). The works were juried and judged and prizes awarded to both AWC members and guest artists who entered their work.
The Galleries in the Visitor Center are opened from 9 - 4 on weekdays and 10 - 4 on weekends. Entrance to the park is $6 per vehicle.
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Help us grow a greener future:
become a Tree Trooper today!
| | | Why are we planting trees? Between 2013 and 2017, Anne Arundel County lost over 2,500 acres of forests, mainly on private property. Since 2011, the City of Annapolis alone has lost over 100 acres of tree canopy. | | |
Become a part of the solution- learn how to help restore our tree canopy today!
As a Tree Trooper, you can:
- Take a free, virtual training course to learn about tree planting, community engagement, and more!
- Help neighbors and friends select and plant low-cost trees that are well-suited for their yards.
- Connect with fellow volunteers passionate about the environment.
- Support tree care to benefit our health and the health of the Bay.
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On June 1st along the shore of Harness Creek in Quiet Waters Park, a gathering took place to celebrate the launch of a floating wetland created by a team in Class 16 of the Watershed Stewards Academy! After many months of hard work, this Capstone Project was in the water - and it looks incredible!! A huge congratulations to this Class 16 Capstone team. | | | |
On June 1st along the shore of Harness Creek in Quiet Waters Park, a gathering took place to celebrate the launch of a floating wetland created by a team in Class 16 of the Watershed Stewards Academy! After many months of hard work, this Capstone Project was in the water - and it looks incredible!! A huge congratulations to this Class 16 Capstone team.
This innovative, nature-based project is already making a big impact:
💧 Cleans the waters by removing pollutants like nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment from stormwater
🐢 Supports wildlife by creating habitat for pollinators, birds, frogs, turtles, and other aquatic life
🌊 Protects shorelines by absorbing wave energy and preventing erosion
After many months of hard work, this Capstone Project is in the water - and it looks incredible!! A huge congratulations to this Class 16 Capstone team.
Stop by the Park to see the floating wetland (located off the Capital SUP dock) and tour all five Capstone Projects that Class 16 Watershed Stewards have brought to life!
By Jeffrey Popp, Watershed Stewards Academy
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Enhance Your South River Experience
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Ranger of the Month
Pauline Champlin
Ranger Pauline Champlin began working in Quiet Waters Park in the spring of 2023, just as the Summer Concert Series was getting underway. She has been the Ranger liaison with the Friends for the concerts since then, but her first love is not really music, but animals.
Pauline is originally from Sasbo, Japan. Her dad was in the Navy and she had the good fortune of living in Japan and Hawaii before moving to Maryland. She originally wanted to be a veterinarian. While studying for a veterinary technician degree and working as an intern at Patuxent Research Refuge, she interviewed for a veterinary assistant position. In the middle of the working interview she realized that she didn't want to work under fluorescent lighting and it was time for a career pivot! She recently received her graduate certificate in Wildlife Forensics and Conservation from the University of Florida.
In addition to coordinating the concerts, Pauline has responsibility for the Park’s resident animals – Donatello the box turtle, and Ellie, the garter snake, both of whom help young people learn more about reptiles. She is also conducting the second Box Turtle Study in the Park. Last year's study identified 49 box turtles thanks to 38 volunteers and park staff.
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• Watch for baby hummingbirds! The first brood of immature hummingbirds begin to show up at nectar feeders early in the month – be sure to keep your nectar fresh and available. The hot, humid, weather of July can spoil nectar quickly, so you may need to change it almost daily – check it regularly to ensure freshness.
• Flocking Blackbirds! Blackbirds begin to flock and appear at feeders (if they haven’t already). Some people enjoy feeding these birds as much as others, but they can be feeder hogs and eat more than their fair share! To deter them, you can use feeders that restrict their access and only allow the smaller birds access to eat. Switching to Safflower seed can also help! Safflower seeds are a good option for attracting other birds like cardinals, house finches, and chickadees while discouraging the larger, more aggressive birds like blackbirds, starlings, and grackles that tend to dislike/avoid it.
• Did you know? Many people used to only feed birds in the winter to aid them when resources were the most scarce. That mindset has changed in recent years as there are parking lots where trees used to be, so those resources are now scarce year-round. You can certainly scale back the amount of food you are serving in the summer months, but eliminating a reliable resource could mean less birds to enjoy later and you would miss out on the newly fledged babies learning where to find food from their parents. Seed cylinders are a great, low-maintenance option to keep at least one feeder going year-round that they can count on!
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Paddle, Run and Unwind
with Capital SUP
This Summer at Quiet Waters Park
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Capital SUP Quiet Waters Park location offers:
- Sunset paddles
- Kayak, paddle board, pedal boat, and canoe rentals
- Yappy hours
- Eco tours
- Summer Camp
- And More!
Come explore the beauty of Quiet Waters by land and water. All experience levels welcome—bring a friend or make a few new ones!
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Entries Now Open for the 11th Annual
Friends of Quiet Waters Park Photo Contest
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Join the park ranger every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm for Nature Center Sundays, a special opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the outdoors. This program allows community members to explore and learn about the park's rich environment. The parks experienced and knowledgeable rangers will be on hand to answer questions and share insights about the fascinating plants and animals that call the park home. The Nature Center is located on the second floor of the Visitor Center. $6 per car entry fee into the park applies.
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Join the Anne Arundel Bird Club on their monthly walk through Quiet Waters Park on paved paths through habitat that includes mature deciduous forest, wood edges, mowed fields, wetlands, and a native plant garden, along with sweeping views of the open waters of the South River and Harness Creek.
Meet at the parking lot at the end of Quiet Waters Park Road passed the Visitor Center, passed the amphitheater and passed the dog park on the 3rd Sunday - July 20th (8:00-10:30)
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Individual annual memberships are only $25 and help us fund projects & events in the Park.
Become a member today!
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Not ready for a membership, but would still like to donate? Click below to donate today!
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Honor Your Loved One
While Helping Your Favorite Park!
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Next time you are in the Visitors Center, visit the Memorial Tribute Tree in the entrance foyer installed by the Friends of Quiet Waters Park and park staff. The tree offers those wishing to honor loved ones an opportunity to purchase gold, silver, and copper leaves and special features such as acorns or mini trees. These will be custom engraved with your personal messages. The engraved feature will be a perpetual tribute to your loved one and proceeds benefit the park.
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ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SPONSOR OF PROGRAMS IN QUIET WATERS PARK?
THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FRIENDS OF QUIET WATERS PARK ARE SUPPORTED IN PART BY OUR LOCAL SPONSORS. CONTACT US TODAY TO LEARN MORE:
Info@friendsofquietwaterspark.org
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Friends of Quiet Waters Park
www.fqwp.org
Stay Connected via Facebook
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