| Matapeake State Park | |
|---|---|
 Shoreline of Matapeake State Park withChesapeake Bay Bridge in the distance | |
  Matapeake State Park Location in Maryland | |
| Location | Matapeake, Maryland, United States |
| Nearest city | Annapolis, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 38°57′13″N76°21′09″W / 38.95361°N 76.35250°W /38.95361; -76.35250 |
| Area | 21 acres (8.5 ha)[1] |
| Elevation | 23 ft (7.0 m) |
| Established | 2009 |
| Administered by | Queen Anne's County, Maryland |
| Designation | Maryland state park |
| Website | Official website |
Matapeake State Park is a public recreation area onChesapeake Bay occupying the site of a formerferry landing inMatapeake,Kent Island,Maryland. The landing served the state-ownedChesapeake Bay Ferry System before theChesapeake Bay Bridge opened. The park is leased and managed by Queen Anne's County.[2]
The park occupies the site of aferry landing that had served theChesapeake Bay Ferry System on its run across the bay fromKent Island to what is nowSandy Point State Park. The park land was first acquired by the state in 1941 with the purchase of the Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry Company, which became the Chesapeake Bay Ferry System. The Sandy Point-Matapeake Ferry was discontinued in 1952. Afterwards, uses for the land by the state included a shooting range and a building housing a scale model of theChesapeake Bay. The bay model was made obsolete by computer simulations, and the building was left vacant. Following the 2003 collapse of the building during that year'sPresidents' Day snowstorm, the county resumed renovation of the ferry terminal building and renamed it the Matapeake Clubhouse.[3] The Matapeake Clubhouse and adjoining public beach opened to the public in May 2009.[4]
Park grounds include the restored ferry house and former ferry landing, which is used as a fishing pier. The park offers a swimming beach, amphitheater, trails, picnicking area, dog beach, and views of the Bay Bridge.[2] It is the northern terminus of the pavedSouth Island Trail, which extends 7 miles (11 km) from the park to Romancoke Fishing Pier.[5]