Pemberton Historical Park

Pemberton Historical Park

5561 Plantation Lane, Salisbury, MD 21801 | GPS 38.346969, -75.642954
(410) 548-4900 ext. 108

In Memoriam
Dr. Ron Gutberlet, Professor of Biology at Salisbury University, was the primary author of this description of the Pemberton Historical Park. Ron passed away in November of 2015. He is fondly remembered by his birding friends in MOS.

Pemberton Historical Park, owned by Wicomico County, is a 262-acre former plantation that includes a historic home built in 1741 by Isaac Handy, one of the founders of the town of Salisbury. The home and surrounding 2 acres are maintained by the Pemberton Hall Foundation, which restored the once-crumbling structure and now offers public tours. Don’t let the name “historical park” dissuade you from birding here. Pemberton is the #1 eBird hotspot in Wicomico County and it has a lot to offer.

The park is located on the Wicomico River west of Salisbury. Habitats here include old fields and pastures, croplands, a power-line cut with scrub-shrub early successional habitat, upland pine woods containing Loblolly and Virginia Pine, scattered small ponds, freshwater streams, several small marsh pockets, and extensive tidal wetlands with brackish marshes. Two overlooks provide an excellent view of the Wicomico River.

The bottomland forest includes Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides), Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica), Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), American Holly (Ilex opaca), Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), and many fern species; this forest provides nesting habitat for Wood Duck, Prothonotary Warbler, and Louisiana Waterthrush, as well as wintering and passage habitat for Rusty Blackbirds.

Tidal freshwater marsh on the Wicomico River has Spatterdock (Nuphar luteum), Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), Cattail (Typha spp.), and Phragmites (Phragmites australis. Beautiful stands of Wild Rice (Zizania aquatica) and abundant Marsh Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) bloom in late summer. The tidal marsh supports rails, sparrows, and sometimes Bobolinks in migration. Ducks can be seen on the river, and sometimes a Northern Harrier courses the larger river marsh in late fall and winter. An active Great Blue Heron rookery can be seen across the river from the park. Bald Eagles have nested in tall pines near the marsh.

The larger part of the grounds offer a system of natural-surface trails, which are thoughtfully arranged in loops that allow exploration of all the different habitats on the property. You can walk for as little as a 0.2 miles, or do the whole trail system of about 4.5 miles. Boardwalks and bridges will carry you through some wet places.

There are seven named trails (see trail map at link in the orange box in the At a Glance section on this page). The trails are not color-blazed but there are signposts at intersections to guide you.The descriptions that follow are from a Pemberton Historical Park brochure. The estimated walking times are for normal walking and it will take longer to carefully bird these trails.

• Woodland Trail (shown in yellow on the map): U-shaped, 1.1 miles. Estimated Walking Time: 35 minutes. The towering trees of the upland pine forest create a cathedral-like feeling along this tranquil trail. Across the pond stands a young forest of loblolly and Virginia pines. Once a cultivated field, the young forest is now the home of many songbirds.
• Pondside Trail (shown in dark blue on the map): Loop, 1 mile. Estimated Walking Time: 30 Minutes. The Pondside Trail forms a shorter loop nestled with the Woodland Trail. Circling the Bell Creek Pond, this trail offers visitors views of local wildlife. Hundreds of bullfrogs can be heard during the spring and summer months. On the pond’s east side, the Sarbanes Memorial Grove offers beautiful views of wild flowers when in season. A quaint picnic area along the trail offers the view of a solitary bald cypress tree growing on the small pond island.
• Handy Hall Trail (shown in orange on the map): Lollipop, 0.7 miles. Estimated Walking Time: 20 minutes.  Following in the footsteps of history, portions of this trail are laid upon an 18th century travel road that led to Salisbury. The road passed by Handy Hall, the 1750s home of Isaac Handy’s son George. Travelers can enjoy a shaded walk under a canopy of pine woodland, amidst the remains of once-grand American Chestnut Trees, which were wiped out by blight in the early 20th century.
• Wetland Walk Trail (shown in light blue on the map): Loop, 0.5 miles. Estimated Walking Time: 15 minutes. View land which once served as a pasture for the Handy’s cattle in the 18th century, which rising sea levels have transformed into a marsh. A raised observation platform allows for the viewing of mosquito fish or the fingerlings of much larger river fish that spawn in the shallows of the swamp. These tidal wetlands serve a vital purpose, as they filter pollution and sediments from upstream before they reach the Wicomico River or Chesapeake Bay.
• Bell Island Trail (shown in dark red on the map): Loop, 1.2 miles. Estimated Walking Time: 45 minutes. In the 18th century, Bell Island, then referred to as “The Commons,” was used as a pasture for the Handy family’s cattle. In the 19th century it became home to the plantation’s icehouse. Overlook spots at the marsh and on the riverfront are great places to rest and enjoy the sights and sounds of the wetlands and Wicomico River.
• History Trail (shown in purple on the map): Out-and-back, 0.5 miles one-way, or walk through the parking area to create a 1.0 mile-loop. Estimated Walking Time: 15 minutes one-way or 30 minutes with loop. Fronting a creek and running parallel to the parking area, this linear trail takes visitors to the narrows of a tidal gut once bridged by a dam and causeway. The resulting impounded waters may have provided ice for the Handy’s ice house. Further west, the trail passes by the invisible remains of Mulberry’s Landing Wharf. Discovered by underwater archeology and dated through dendrochronology, the wharf dates to 1746 and is the oldest documented of its type in the country. On land, the trail is shaded by White Cedar Trees (Cedar Cypress). Early colonists made boats from this highly rot-resistant wood.
• Osprey Trail (shown in pink on the map): Loop and short side trail off of the Bell Island Trail, 0.5 miles for the loop itself, but the loop is about 0.4 miles from the parking lot, so total walking distance to and from the parking lot is about 1.3 miles. Estimated Walking Time: 15 minutes for the loop itself, plus another 30 minutes to and from the parking area, 45 minute total. Accessed via the Bell Island Trail, the aptly named Osprey Trail offers views of wildlife living within the river’s marshlands. Visitors can take a break at the trail’s Wicomico River Overlook, which offers a scenic glimpse of the major estuary before it flows into the Chesapeake Bay. Washed by the tides, the edges of the river provide habitat for a great variety of life.

Birdlife:

Over 205 species have been reported on eBird at the hotspot for Pemberton Historical Park, making it the #1 eBird hotspot in Wicomico County.

The river and ponds provide wintering grounds for a variety of waterfowl, with at least 20 species reported. Wood Ducks are local breeders. Pied-billed and Horned Grebes pass through in spring, along with an occasional Red-necked Grebes and Common Loons.

Virginia Rail and Sora are found in the marshland during migration, along with Wilson’s Snipe and both yellowlegs. Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed Gulls are present fall through spring, while summer brings Laughing Gulls and Common and Forster’s Terns. Great Blue Herons are present year-round, while Great Egrets, Green Herons, Snowy Egrets and Glossy Ibis are found in the warmer months.

Bald Eagles are here year-round, and Osprey have a long season, from late February through early fall. Northern Harriers, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Cooper’s Hawks can be found fall through spring, while Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels may be present during breeding season. Owls includes Eastern Screech-Owl, Barred, and Great Horned.

Northern Bobwhite were formerly found in the meadows and adjacent edges, but are a great rarity now. All of the Maryland woodpeckers are present – Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, Northern Flicker, Pileated, and even Red-headed (fall migrants), along with wintering Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Brown-headed and White-breasted Nuthatches breed here and are year-round residents. Eastern Bluebirds breed here and are numerous.

Summering songbirds include Eastern Wood-Pewee; Acadian Flycatcher; Great Crested Flycatcher; Eastern Kingbird; Yellow-throated, White-eyed, Warbling, and Red-eyed Vireos; Purple Martins and Tree, Bank, Barn, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows; Scarlet and Summer Tanagers; Baltimore and Orchard Orioles; and Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Buntings.

At least thirty-two species of warblers have been reported, mostly on migration; breeding species include Worm-eating, Prothonotary, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow, and Pine.

Winter songbirds include Brown Creeper; Red-breasted Nuthatch; Winter Wren; both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets; Hermit Thrush; Swamp, Fox, and Savannah Sparrows.

Wheelchair Access:

There are reserved handicapped parking spaces in the designated parking area. There is decent access on flat level ground from the parking area to some good viewing spots, but this is on natural surface; there are no paved trails. Wheelchair access is limited because of muddy trails and small slopes. The entrance road provides limited birding from or near the car. A handicapped-accessible restroom is available.

Pet Policy:

Pets are allowed on leash. Pick up after your pet.

Special Designations:

Pemberton Historical Park is a part of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network of the National Park Service.

Special Features:

• Pemberton Historical Park includes an Environmental Education Center and offers nature education programs; summer nature camps for children; ranger-led interpretive programs; field trips and school group programs.
• Amenities include an outdoor amphitheater, picnic tables, grill, and observation platforms along the trails.
• There are facilities available for rent for weddings and such, and tours of the historic home by appointment.
• There are numerous volunteer and internship opportunities.
• There is a full schedule of special events, including festivals and running events.
• The Pemberton Historical Foundation maintains and operates the historical home.

Local MOS Chapter:

The Tri-county Bird Club is the local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, serving Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset Counties; the club offers field trips to local birding areas and meetings with informative presentations, all free and open to the public.

Parking:

Address: 5561 Plantation Lane, Salisbury, MD 21801 | GPS 38.346969, -75.642954

Designated gravel lots. Park only in designated lots; do not park on grass or driveway edges. See trail map at link at link in orange box in the At a Glance section for parking location.

Directions:

From the South (Princess Anne, Pocomoke, and Virginia): Take US Route 13 Business into downtown Salisbury. At the US Route 50 overpass, turn left onto US Route 50 Business westbound. Travel over the Mill Street bridge and then turn left to go west on MD Route 349/Nanticoke Road. In just 400 feet, turn left to go southwest on Pemberton Drive. Continue southwest on Pemberton Drive for 2.1 miles, then turn left to go south on Plantation Lane. The Park entrance will be on the left  (east) side of the road in about 0.4 mile.

From the North (Delmar and Delaware points of origin): Take US Route 13 Business south into Salisbury. At the US Route 50 overpass, turn right onto US Route 50 Business westbound. Travel over the Mill Street bridge and then turn left to go west on MD Route 349/Nanticoke Road. In just 400 feet, turn left to go southwest on Pemberton Drive. Continue southwest on Pemberton Drive for 2.1 miles, then turn left to go south on Plantation Lane. The Park entrance will be on the left  (east) side of the road in about 0.4 mile.

From the East (Berlin, Ocean City, and other beaches): Take US Route 50 Business westbound to and then through Salisbury. Turn left to go west on MD Route 349/Nanticoke Road. In just 400 feet, turn left to go southwest on Pemberton Drive. Continue southwest on Pemberton Drive for 2.1 miles, then turn left to go south on Plantation Lane. The Park entrance will be on the left  (east) side of the road in about 0.4 mile.

From the Upper Eastern Shore: Use MD Route 213 and/or US Route 301 south to access US Route 50. Take US Route 50 south and then east into Salisbury, using Business Route 50. Turn right to go west on MD Route 349/Nanticoke Road. In just 400 feet, turn left to go southwest on Pemberton Drive. Continue southwest on Pemberton Drive for 2.1 miles, then turn left to go south on Plantation Lane. The Park entrance will be on the left  (east) side of the road in about 0.4 mile.

From the Western Shore: Follow US Route 301/50 over the Bay Bridge, and then continue on US Route 50 south and then east toward Salisbury. Follow US Route 50 Business into Salisbury. Turn right to go west on MD Route 349/Nanticoke Road. In just 400 feet, turn left to go southwest on Pemberton Drive. Continue southwest on Pemberton Drive for 2.1 miles, then turn left to go south on Plantation Lane. The Park entrance will be on the left  (east) side of the road in about 0.4 mile.

Nearby Sites:

Wicomico County: Cedar Hill Marina & Park ■ Ellis Bay Wildlife Management Area ■ Nanticoke River Wildlife Management Area – Nutter’s Neck ■ Nassawango Creek Preserve and Furnace Town ■  Pirate’s Wharf Park ■  Roaring Point & Nanticoke Harbor ■ Tyaskin Park & Wetipquin Park ■  Salisbury Landfill & Naylor Mill Road Pond  ■  Schumaker Pond & Salisbury City Park

Habitats:

ConifersHedgerows Lawn or BallfieldsSuburban Neighborhood Agricultural Crop Fields or Fallow FieldsOld Fields, Shrubby Meadows Forested SwampFreshwater Marsh or FloodplainFreshwater Pond, Lake, or ReservoirMud Flats (Tidal or Non-Tidal)Rivers & StreamsSalt or Brackish Marsh

Features:

BeginnersFree - No Entry Fee at Any TimeHiking/Walking TrailsHistorical FeaturesNative Plant Garden or Meadow/Pollinator PlantsNature Education ProgramsObservation Platform or TowerParkingPets AllowedPicnic AreaRestroomsWater ViewYoung People / Families

Type:

#1 Hotspot in County or CityChesapeake Bay Gateways NetworkHistorical SitesNature CentersThe Rivers of the Eastern Shore