Anne Arundel Park Is Hidden Gem + MD Museum To Host Archaeology Day

MARYLAND — Spring is finally here, and Anne Arundel County residents are eager to get out of the house.

Hikers might want to explore one relatively new park in Shady Side. Few people know about this hidden gem.

Families can also enjoy an archaeology day at a Maryland museum or a greenhouse tour. Other events include river cleanups, a frog search, an herbal medicine class and scenic kayaking trips.

Patch recently partnered with several local organizations to bring you their latest news. This guest contribution comes from National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Chesapeake Conservancy. Here's what Jody Hedeman Couser submitted to help you explore the Chesapeake Bay:

"Little Known Park Is a Passive Enjoyment Gem

Franklin Point State Park, located in southern Anne Arundel County, has been open for five years now, but it is still relatively undiscovered, due in part to its lack of amenities and the fact that most people can’t be bothered to complete the required “Gate Combination Request Form.” But it’s both of these factors, in addition to its intrinsic beauty, that translate to an “ah, solitude” feeling you won’t find in most state parks. Conservancy blogger, Saki, explores its charms – from spotting a snowy egret and surf scoter on a summer paddle, to a March hike [where he] spotted salamander eggs. Read The Year-Round Charm of Franklin Point State Park."

"Discovering Archaeology Day

Bring the entire family for a day of interactive learning and fun with archaeologists from across Maryland and Virginia, including hands-on activities for kids of all ages, archaeological site and lab tours, exhibits, games, giveaways, and cool crafts. Have artifact experts identify and date your finds, join in an artifact scavenger hunt, watch experts compete in an arrow-making competition, mend broken pottery, create your own rock art, and more. Free admission. April 9, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm; Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, St. Leonard, MD. More information."

"Brookside Gardens Greenhouse Tour

Get a behind-the-scenes tour of Brookside Gardens’ state-of-the-art greenhouse facility. Opened in 2018, the greenhouse consists of four growing areas totaling 10,000 square feet under glass. Learn about the technology and how it enables the greenhouse staff to grow a variety of beautiful plants year-round. Explore the thousands of plants being grown for the garden displays, including summer annuals. April 13, 10:00 am to 11:15 am and April 14, 2:00 pm to 3:15 pm. $12. Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD. More information and registration."

"Potomac Cleanup

It’s spring cleaning time, and the Potomac Conservancy is looking for volunteers who want to donate their time to giving the Potomac River some much-needed TLC. It’s a fantastic time to spot and pick up litter before ground-level vegetation sprouts to life. All the gear will be supplied for a fun outdoor outing. There are a number of event locations and dates: from April 9 to April 23 (Earth Day!) with opportunities at Roosevelt Island, Fletcher’s Cove, Jones Point Park, Columbia Island, and more. More information and registration."

"Frog Bog

Calling all explorers! Search the ponds of the protected Harford Land Trust property (next door to the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center) for frogs and salamanders, and help to identify and record species. Ages 5 to adult; $10 per family. April 2, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm; Anita C. Leight Estuary Center; Abingdon, MD. More info and registration."

"Kitchen Medicine

Herbs are wonderful additions to delicious meal preparation, but in this workshop you will go beyond culinary uses of herbs and learn the medicinal qualities of some of the most common cooking herbs and spices. Explore the medicinal qualities of culinary herbs and what they offer in terms of beneficial bioactive compounds for aiding digestion, circulation, assimilation of nutrients, and protection against unfavorable microbes. You’ll get a chance to taste herbs and take a sample pack of herbs and a few recipes to try at home. Ages 16+; $30. April 9, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm; Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills, MD. More information and registration."

"Now Booking! Sultana Public Paddles

Join the Sultana Education Foundation staff for a unique kayak excursion on the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Choose from 16 great paddles, with themes that include a Blue Heron Paddle, Bald Eagle, Oysters and Indians, Lotus, Mallows Bay Ghost Fleet, Full Moon, Turtle Paddle, and more. Paddling destinations include the Sassafras, Turner’s Creek, Tuckahoe State Park, Bohemia, Choptank, Blackwater NWR, and more. The first excursion is May 7, and the last is October 23. Paddles are 2.5 hours long and $30 per person. Kayaks and gear are provided. Minimum age to participate is 12. These paddles are extremely popular and fill up fast. More information and registration."

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Have a story idea? Please contact me at [email protected] with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.