Marshy Point Nature Center

Marshy Point Nature Center

7130 Marshy Point Road, Baltimore, MD 21220
(410) 887-2817

Marshy Point Nature Center is situated within the 400-acre Marshy Point Park, operated by Baltimore County. The park is part of a natural preserve that includes adjacent state and federal land encompassing more than 3,000 acres. Marshy Point is situated on the Upper Chesapeake Bay along Dundee and Saltpeter Creeks. Marshy Point offers varied habitats including stands of old and young forest, open meadows, freshwater wetlands, and a web of tidal creeks and marshes.

The park features over five miles of hiking trails, two self-guided trails, a canoe launch and pier, a wildlife observation platform, and a butterfly garden. The trails of Marshy Point wind through the flat coastal plain forest, fields, and along adjacent wetlands, providing opportunities to observe wildlife and enjoy a number of scenic views of Dundee and Saltpeter Creeks. Katie and Wil’s Trail is a paved wheelchair-accessible trail that begins at the Nature Center and extends past the park’s wetland restoration area to Brinkman’s Road. Dedicated in memory of Katie and Wil Brady, this trail is blazed orange and includes excellent views from an observation platform and bridge over Minnow Branch Creek.

Birdlife:

Over 190 species have been reported on eBird from Marshy Point Nature Center.  Many passerines are present during migration. Orioles, Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Scarlet Tanagers are common breeding birds. Bald Eagles are seen year round. Look for all three mergansers, Gadwall, Tundra Swan, and other waterfowl during the winter. Tree Sparrow and Fox Sparrow are also found in the winter. Rusty Blackbird is seen during migration. In addition to birds, the fields along the Bluebird Loop Trail may be filled with many dragonflies and butterflies during the summer.

Parking:

Parking lot near Nature Center off  Marshy Point Road.

Special Features:

Marshy Point Nature Center is home to more than 50 different species of native wildlife. Most of these animals have been donated or are in captivity because they would not survive in the wild. The collection includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. ◾ The Nature Center hosts a full calendar of family-oriented programs, children’s summer camps, speakers, and seasonal events. See http://www.marshypoint.org/programs/event-calendar/ for details. ◾ Marshy Point Nature Center is a certified Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Green Center. ◾ Marshy Point Nature Center is a part of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network of the National Park Service. ◾ The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Baltimore Bird Club. The Baltimore Bird Club is the founding chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, and remains an important hub of birding activity in the state. The club offers monthly meetings with informative presentations and a full schedule of field trips and bird walks, all free and open to the public.

Multimedia:

Marshy Point hosts a live web cam that is mounted on an Osprey nesting platform on Dundee Creek, accessible from http://www.marshypoint.org/learn-more/dundee-creek-cam/. During the nesting season, the web cam offers up-close and personal views of Ospreys incubating their eggs and tending their young. In the off-season, the web cam is focused on the Creek.

Directions:

The Center is located 0.5 mile off Eastern Ave (MD Route 150) in Chase, MD. From the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), take exit 38 for MD Route 150/Eastern Avenue east (towards Essex – Chase). Continue east on MD Route 150/Eastern Avenue for approximately 8 miles, making sure to stay on MD Route 150, and NOT get onto MD Route 43, as you pass Martin State Airport. Make a right onto Marshy Point Road (look for park sign). Follow Marshy Point Road and follow signs, making a left turn into the parking area.

Nearby Sites:

Gunpowder Falls State Park – Hammerman Area & Dundee Creek Marina; North Point State Park; Fort Howard Park; Hart-Miller Island State Park.

Habitats:

Bottomland DeciduousHedgerowsUpland Deciduous Old Fields, Shrubby Meadows Forested SwampFreshwater Marsh or FloodplainMud Flats (Tidal or Non-Tidal)Rivers & Streams

Features:

BeginnersBicycle Trails (Bikes may be prohibited on some trails)Bird Feeding StationBoardwalkBoat or Canoe/Kayak LaunchFree - No Entry Fee at Any TimeHiking/Walking TrailsNative Plant Garden or Meadow/Pollinator PlantsNature Education ProgramsObservation Platform or TowerParkingPets AllowedRestroomsWater ViewWheelchair Accessible FeaturesYoung People / Families

Type:

Chesapeake Bay Gateways NetworkChesapeake Bay Western ShoreCounty ParksMAEOE Green CenterNature CentersThe Rivers of the Western Shore