Elkton – Meadow Park, Eder Park, Hatchery Park, & Howard’s Pond

Elkton – Meadow Park, Eder Park, Hatchery Park, & Howard’s Pond

West Meadow Park – 230 Delaware Avenue, Elkton, MD 21921
(410) 620-7964

NOTE: These parks in Elkton are subject to flooding and some or all may be closed after heavy rains. Call before visiting to ask if the parks are open.

West Meadow Park (aka John P. Stanley Park), East Meadow Park (aka Evans McKinney Park), Eder Park, Hatchery Park, and Howard’s Pond Recreation Area (aka Cow Pond) are adjoining parks owned by the Town of Elkton in northeastern Cecil County. Another nearby town park is Marina Park. The parks, constituting over 250 acres in all, lie in the floodplain of the Big Elk Creek, and contain prime habitat for a large variety of waterfowl, waders, shorebirds, and passerines. The parkland is a remarkable natural area right in the heart of the historic town of Elkton, founded in 1694.

West Meadow Park, on the  southwest side of Delaware Avenue, contains ball fields surrounded by hardwood and coniferous woodlands. It is bordered on the north and west by Big Elk Creek. A one-way road, open to cars, follows a rectangular route around the ball fields, and goes past good habitat along Big Elk Creek. Near the corner where the road turns to the southeast, you will notice a footbridge in the woods to the right; the footbridge crosses Big Elk Creek, carrying a trail that leads into Eder Park (see below). A section of the loop road goes past a woodland and some picnic pavilions. At the south corner of West Meadow Park is an extensive freshwater marsh, visible from one of the picnic pavilions; it is worth stopping to take a good look at the marsh in any season.

East Meadow Park, on the northeast side of Delaware Avenue, has a front section with a sports field. A small gravel parking area is near some pine trees and a small pond. A blue-blazed foot-trail — part of the 199-mile Mason-Dixon Trail — follows the edge of the pond and shortly reaches a nice wooded section along Big Elk Creek. Prothonotary Warblers have nested here. The trail will lead you to Hatchery Park.

Hatchery Park is reached on foot via the Mason-Dixon Trail from East Meadow Park. This park was formerly a fish hatchery, operated by the state until about 1990. Ten rectangular fish-rearing ponds are still present (see satellite image at the map link in the orange box on this webpage); nowadays the water levels may vary from empty to full. The ponds, laid out in a grid, are situated in an open meadow surrounded by deciduous woods. The Mason-Dixon Trail passes the ponds before entering the woods on the east edge of the park. Check each pond during the warm months for herons, egrets, and shorebirds, and in the cold months for waterfowl. This area also hosts a good selection of swallows in the spring and early summer. Near the north-east corner of the hatchery area, a trail goes up a hill into the woods, to emerge at an old reservoir that used to feed the hatchery ponds. Barred Owls and Red-shouldered Hawks — both of which dine on amphibians, fish, and freshwater invertebrates — nest nearby. Pay attention to a small marsh at the south end of the hatchery ponds, on the other side of the gravel path. Here a natural wetland has formed; this is a good spot for Swamp Sparrows and other small birds in winter.

There are also a couple of small, round ponds at the far south end of Hatchery Park, adjacent to another access point for Hatchery Park: a small lane called Normira Street (may show as Glen Mary Road on some maps) that goes north off Delaware Avenue and ends at a parking area near these ponds. Note that Normira Street looks like a private drive, in that it goes past a couple of private residences before reaching the town-owned parcel that is a southward-extension of Hatchery Park. Check the water and the vegetation surrounding the ponds, especially during migration.

Howard Pond Recreation Area (aka Cow Pond) is on Main Street, north of Big Elk Creek, and adjacent to East Meadow Park and Hatchery Pond. Howard Pond cannot be reached on foot from either of these areas since there is no foot-bridge over Big Elk Creek. The open waters of the pond are good for waterfowl in winter; and swallows and swifts hunt over the pond in summer. Herons and egrets like to hang out here as well. There is a reforested area and old field adjacent to the pond; this section is good for passerines in spring and fall.  In bygone days, the pond was used by townspeople to water their dairy cows.

Next, we come to Eder Park, which is on Howard Street southwest of the intersection with Delaware Avenue. This little park is mostly occupied by ball fields, but the back section along Big Elk Creek is wooded, and is good for warblers and other passerines in migration. This is the section of Eder Park that connects to West Meadow Park via the foot-bridge over the Big Elk Creek, as mentioned above.

Finally, we’ll give a quick mention to Marina Park, found behind a strip mall in a triangle formed by South Bridge Street, Route 40, and Big Elk Creek. Access is from South Bridge Street just south of the bridge over Big Elk Creek; the partially paved access lane leads past tennis courts, then through a wooded section to a parking area and boat launch ramp. Take a friend and/or stay in your car, as the park is known for illegal activities. The creek, including near the boat launch, can sometimes yield waterfowl and is good for passerines in the creekside trees. The scrubby woods behind the strip mall (where there are old gravel lanes) can sometimes be good for sparrows and other shrub-scrub species.  But sometimes there will be nothing there at all. The park is located at the site of the historic commercial docks that were active when Elkton was a bustling port town.

Birdlife:

Each of these parks has its own hotspot on eBird, except there is none for Eder Park:

• West Meadow Park – 140+ species
• Evans McKinney Park (East Meadow Park) – 56+ species (only 9 checklists as of July 2025)
• Elkton Marina Park – 57+ species (only 13 checklists as of July 2025)
• Hatchery Park – 120+ species
• Howard’s Pond – 93+ species

The combined species list for these five parks totals 161+ species.

Rusty Blackbirds may be seen in damp woodlands at the south end of West Meadow Park from late fall into the winter months. Waterfowl use West Meadow Park’s freshwater marsh and Big Elk Creek during the winter and during migration. The marsh is a good spot to check for Wood Duck and for Blue-winged Teal, which sometimes linger through April. In spring and summer, West Meadow Park usually hosts nesting Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Warbling Vireo, and Acadian Flycatcher, all of which nest in the park. The freshwater marsh holds a variety of herons and egrets during the summer months. Osprey nest on the light posts at the ball fields. In 2010, a Sandhill Crane showed up at the ball fields in July, and stayed for a couple of weeks. If the ball fields or grassy areas have any puddles, check carefully for shorebirds.

Nesting Pine Warblers, Black-and-white Warblers, and Chipping Sparrows can be found in the large pines near the parking area for East Meadow Park. This gives you a good opportunity to learn to distinguish the similar-sounding songs of Pine Warbler and Chipping Sparrow, side-by-side. Check the pond near the East Meadow parking area for passerines that associate with water, such as Belted Kingfisher and Common Yellowthroat. Prothonotary Warblers nest along the Big Elk Creek near the Mason-Dixon Trail that connects East Meadow and Hatchery Parks, and it is also a good spot for flycatchers and vireos in spring and summer, and Hermit Thrushes in winter.

At Hatchery Park, herons, egrets, and occasional shorebirds can be found in the former fish propagation ponds. Also found here are flycatchers, swallows, warblers, and vireos.

At Howard’s Pond, check the wetlands behind the large pond for roosting Black-Crowned Night-Herons. Howard’s Pond sometimes holds a good assortment of waterfowl in winter and early spring, and hosts swallows, Chimney Swifts, and herons and egrets in summer. Check the woods adjacent to Big Elk Creek for an assortment of passerines, including Warbling Vireo, in spring and summer. There may be herons, egrets, and shorebirds present near a small waterfall in the Creek, visible from the north side of Main Street across from Howard Pond’s parking area.

The woods along Big Elk Creek near the foot-trail between Eder Park and West Meadow Park are good for passerines during migration.

Wheelchair Access:

The loop road in West Meadow Park makes this a good birding spot for those who are mobility-impaired, as it is possible to bird from or near the car. There is also good viewing from the car at Howard’s Pond. There is a handicapped accessible portable restroom in West Meadow Park.

Pet Policy:

Pets must be on a leash at all times; pick up after your pet and take the bagged waste with you when you leave.

Special Features:

• These parks are good for beginning birders and birders with families. The town has many nearby places to eat.
• All these parks are popular for fishing. A freshwater fishing license is needed.
• West Meadow Park has playground equipment in addition to sports fields.
• There is a canoe/kayak launch site at Marina Park (190 South Bridge Street), as well a concrete boat ramp and tennis courts and a basketball court. Despite its name, there is no actual marina at Marina Park.
• The Mason-Dixon Trail, 199 miles long, goes through East Meadow Park.
• While in Elkton, take some time to admire the town’s colonial and Victorian architecture, including the handsome stone building that formerly housed the Little Wedding Chapel (now closed) at 142 East Main Street; the chapel, the last of several in Elkton, was the destination of many eloping couples in years gone by, when Maryland laws were conducive to quick marriages.

Local MOS Chapter:

The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Cecil Bird Club, offering field trips and occasional meetings and special events, all free and open to the public.

Parking:

Paved or gravel lots at each park. “No Parking” areas are clearly signed.

Directions:

To reach West Meadow Park from I-95: Take Exit 109 for MD Route 279/Elkton-Newark Road south toward Elkton. In 2.1 miles, turn left (south) onto MD Route 268/North Street. In 0.9 miles, turn left (east) onto MD Route 7/Main Street. In 0.4 miles, turn right (southeast) onto MD Route 7/Delaware Avenue. West Meadow Park is about 0.3 miles ahead, on the right (southwest) side of the road.

The entrance for East Meadow Park is on the left (east) side of Delaware Avenue, just 100 feet or so past the entrance to West Meadow Park.

To reach the parking area for Hatchery Park: Continue southeast on MD Route 7/Delaware Avenue, past both West and East Meadow Parks, and look for Normira Avenue on your left, between Creswell Avenue (which is a horseshoe) and Park Towne Drive. Turn left onto Normira Avenue and proceed past the private residences to the parking area near a couple of small ponds on the right.

To reach Howard’s Pond: Go northeast on MD Route 7 to the intersection with Main Street. Turn right to go northeast on East Main Street. Howard’s Pond will be on the right, past the residences at 240 through 256 East Main Street. Turn into the gravel lot and park.

To reach Eder Park: Return to Main Street and turn left to go southeast. Turn left onto MD Route 7/Delaware Avenue; go one block and turn right onto Howard Street. Eder Park will be on the left just past the cemetery. If the head-in parking adjacent to Eder Park is full, there is ample parking across the street in a large public lot.

Nearby Sites:

Cecil County: Bethel Managed Hunting Area ◾ Bohemia River State Park  ◾ Courthouse Point Managed Hunting Area ◾  Elk Neck State Forest ◾ Elk Neck State Park – Turkey Point ◾ Elk River Park & Elkton Marsh ◾ Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area ◾Funk’s Pond Recreation Area & Old Conowingo Area ◾ North East Community Park ◾ Octoraro Creek Trail at Conowingo Park ◾ Perryville Community Park ◾ Port Deposit & Susquehanna River Road Driving Tour ◾Woodlawn Wildlife Area / New Beginnings

Habitats:

Bottomland Deciduous ForestsConifersHedgerowsUpland Deciduous Forests Garden or ArboretumLawn, Ballfields, Golf CourseUrban or Small Town Landscape Old Fields, Shrubby Meadows Forested SwampFreshwater Marsh or FloodplainFreshwater Pond, Lake, or ReservoirMud Flats (Tidal or Non-Tidal)Rivers & Streams

Features:

Ball Fields or Other SportsBeginnersBicycle Trails (Bikes may be prohibited on some trails)Boat or Canoe/Kayak LaunchFishingFree - No Entry Fee at Any TimeHiking/Walking TrailsParkingPets AllowedPicnic AreaPlaygroundWater ViewWheelchair Accessible FeaturesYoung People / Families

Type:

Community and Urban ParksDriving Tour (Roadside Birding)Ponds, Lakes, and Reservoirs