guides

Parks, Playgrounds, and Outdoor Fun in Annapolis & Anne Arundel County

Search this list for awesome outdoor recreation locations in our county.

By Darla Winstead, Macaroni KID Annapolis - Sponsored by Annapolis Recreation & Parks March 25, 2024

 Parks, Playgrounds, and Trails

We are very fortunate to have a many spectacular parks and playgrounds in Annapolis and throughout Anne Arundel County. Below you will find parks in our community divided by location. 

If you know of a park or playground that needs to be included in the Macaroni KID Annapolis Parks and Playground Guide, send an email with the name and location.  

Share pictures of your adventures on the Macaroni KID Annapolis Facebook page so others can see awesome places for kids to play, get exercise, and be out in nature.


Websites you should know:


Annapolis

  • Annapolis Maritime Museum: 723 Second St - museum open 10am - 3pm Tuesday through Sunday
  • Annapolis Walk Community Center: 200 Belle Dr. - playground (features a double swoosh slide, swiggleknots, a cozy dome, saddle spinners, and it's ADA compliant)
  • B and A Trailthis trail stretches from Boulters Way in Annapolis to Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie - popular destination for walking, running and biking for all ages and abilities
  • Bay Head Park: 1661 Bay Head Rd. - playground, picnic area, pavilion, trails, and restroom
  • Bestgate Park: 714 Bestgate Rd. - playground, picnic area, trails, tennis courts, basketball court, baseball field, and restroom
  • Broadneck Park: 613 College Parkway - pirate ship themed playground (with climbing structure, music section and swings), baseball fields, multipurpose fields, trails, dog park, picnic area, pavilion, and restrooms 
  • Broadneck Peninsula TrailConnects B and A Trail to Sandy Point State Park on the Broadneck Peninsula. - currently being built
  • Brown-Leanos Park: West St at Westgate Circle - small park in middle of roadway
  • Browns Woods Park: 317 Forest Beach Rd. - playground, picnic area, basketball court, and baseball field
  • Bywater Park: Bywater Rd. - playground with two climbing structures and swings are nicely spread out
  • Rev. John T. Chambers, Sr. Park: 14 Dorsey Ave - very nice playground with lots of things to keep kids of all ages entertained; 2 playgrounds for different ages, swings, basketball courts, Little Free Library, and rain garden.  This park also has a mural of Breonna Taylor. 
  • Elktonia Beach: (coming soon)
  • Ellen O. Moyer Nature Park: at Back Creek, 7314 Edgewood Rd. - trails, floating dinghy dock, kayak launch, and nature area 
  • Fleet Street Park: in the Historic District - mini urban park
  • Fowlkes Community Park: McGuckian St, Homewood
  • Generals Highway Corridor Park: 1758 Crownsville Rd. - playground, trails, picnic area, pavilion, baseball filed, multi-purpose field, and restroom
  • Greenbury Point: Bullard Blvd, Annapolis (Navy property but open to the public) - trails (some paved), picnic area, marina - opening and closing info at Twitter @NSAAnnapolis
  • Jonas and Anne Catherine Green Park2001 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd on the Severn River - car top boat launch, fishing, picnic tables and restroom. No fishing license is required to fish here, it is a Maryland "free fishing" area. Open dawn to dusk. B and A trail extends 15 miles from here to Dorsey Rd. in Glen Burnie.   
  • Naval Academy Stadium Trail: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, 550 Taylor Ave., Annapolis - 1.25 paved walking trail around the stadium
  • Newman Street PlaygroundNewman St. and Compromise St. - playground, basketball courts, and a water view
  • Pats Playground: Pumphouse Road in Truxtun Park - playground
  • Peninsula Park1005 Bay Ridge Rd. - playground, picnic area, pickelball, tennis, trails, baseball, basketball, multi-purpose field, and restroom
  • “Pip” Moyer Recreation Center: 273 Hilltop Lane - playground, basketball court, ball fields, indoor rock climbing, walking trails, and more
  • Poplar Park and Trail: Poplar Ave and Windell Ave, Annapolis
  • Post Office Park: Americana Dr, Eastport - mini urban park
  • Primrose AcresGarden Gate Lane and Edelmar Dr. - playground with Little Free Library
  • Quiet Waters County Park600 Quiet Waters Park Rd. - playground, dog park, dog beach, trails, visitor center, art gallery, picnic area, outdoor pavilions, indoor event room, natural area, cartop boat launch, fishing, ice skating (seasonal), and restrooms. Open 7am - dusk 
    • Playground:  Large central playground with climbing structures for bigger (partially wheelchair accessible) and smaller kids, many swings: another climbing structure adjacent to Sycamore pavilion
    • Restrooms:  Restrooms at the visitor center seemingly are locked at random; sometimes there are port-a-potties, sometimes not.  Generally not a place to take kids in the midst of potty training.  
  • Sandy Point State Park1100 E. College Pkwy. - playground, beaches, trails, and much more
    • Waterfront Playground:  The perfect location to enjoy bay views while your little ones burn off energy.  It's near the beach, bathhouse, snack bar, and large parking area.  Playgrounds are scattered throughout the state park but this forest and ocean themed play area is a must.  It has climbing structures, slides, crab shack playhouse, benches for resting, and a turtle (sculpture) your children will want to "meet."
    • Restrooms:  A bathhouse with restrooms, showers, and a large changing room is located near the beach.  Port-a-potties are available during the off season.
  • Shiley Park: at the end of Giddings Ave. in West Annapolis - mini urban park
  • Spa Creek Trail: 2.5 mile paved walk along the Spa Creek headwaters, park at Bates Athletic Complex (Weems Whalen Field) 935 Spa Road
  • Susan Campbell ParkDock St. along the Inner Harbor, downtown - there are sitting benches to enjoy the water view, also a Little Free Library 
  • The People's Park43 Calvert St. - small playground, chess/checkers tables, MLK Foot Soldiers Memorial
  • Thomas Point Park: 3890 Thomas Point Road - vehicle entry requires a monthly or daily pass from April 1 to Oct 31. Purchase passes at www.yourpassnow.com. Open 8am - dusk
  • Tolson Street Park: Monterey Ave, West Annapolis
  • Truxtun Community Park273 Hilltop Lane - Park Map  Swimming pool, skate park, tennis courts, pickleball courts, baseball fields, basketball courts, boat launch, trails, and more
  • Rev. Joseph J. Turner Park3rd St. and Chester Ave. in Eastport - playground, Free Little Library and basketball court
  • Waterworks Park260 Defense Hwy. - rural park with pond, biking and hiking trails. Permit required. Park Brochure
  • Weisman Parkfirst block of West St., near Church Circle - mini urban park
  • Wiley H. Bates Heritage Park: 121 South Villa Ave, Annapolis - park open dusk to dawn, baseball, multi-purpose field, restrooms, trails

Small Waterfront Parks

  • 1st Street and Spa Creek: Eastport - bench, water access and water view
  • 3rd Street and Back Creek: Eastport - bench, water view
  • 5th Street and Spa Creek: Eastport - water view
  • 6th Street and Back Creek: Eastport - bench, water access and water view
  • Acton Landing Park: South Street and Anne Lane, Spa Creek - floating dinghy dock, bench, water view
  • Amos Garrett Park: Spa View Ave., Spa Creek - kayak launch, pier access, bench, water access and water view
  • Annapolis Maritime Museum: 2nd Street and Back Creek, Eastport - pier access, bench, water access, water view
  • Barbara Neustadt Park: Monticello Ave and Spa Creek - bench, water access and water view
  • Burnside Park: Burnside Street and Spa Creek, Eastport - bench, water access and water view
  • College Creek Park: Clay Street and College Creek - bench, water view
  • Commodore John Barry Park: Prince George Street - floating dinghy dock, bench, water view
  • George Washington Davis Park: 4th Street and Back Creek, Eastport - pier access, bench, water view
  • Horn Point: Chesapeake Ave, Eastport - bench, water access and water view
  • Jeremy's Way: off 1st Street, Eastport - bench, water view
  • Lafayette Park: Lafayette Ave and Spa Creek - pier access, bench, water view
  • Leon Wolfe: 4th Street and Spa Creek - bench, water view
  • Northwest Street End Park: Northwest Street - bench, waterview
  • Richard B. "Dick" Sims Park: 2nd Street and Back Creek - pier access, bench, water view
  • Severn Avenue and Spa Creek: Eastport - bench, water view
  • Susan Campbell Park: Dock Street, Downtown Annapolis - Little Free Library, benches, water view
  • Tucker Street and Weems Creek: West Annapolis - boat ramp, kayak launch, bench, water access, water view

Arnold

  • Arnold Park: 1325 Jones Station Rd. - playground, picnic area, trail, baseball field, multi-purpose field, and restrooms
  • Mago Vista Park: 832 Mago Vista Rd. - playground, pavilion, pickleball courts, tennis courts, trails, baseball field, basketball court, multi-purpose field, and restroom
  • Twin Oaks Park: 240 Peninsula Farm Rd. - playground, picnic area, and walking trails

Crownsville

  • Arden on the Severn Park: 1103 Sunrise Beach Rd. - playground, picnic area, trails, restrooms, ball field, and a multi-purpose field  
  • Bacon Ridge Natural Area: hiking and mountain bike trails, open dusk to dawn  
    • Severn Chapel Parking Area 1214 Severn Chapel Road, Crownsville
    • Bacon Ridge Road Parking Area 1284 Bacon Ridge Road, Crownsville
    • Hawkins Road Parking Area Located near 1700 Hawkins Road, Crownsville
    • Over 20 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Accessible from the Severn Chapel Parking Area is a mountain bike skills park. Portable restrooms are available year-round at the Severn Chapel & Hawkins Road Parking Areas. The access to the trail system is through special events scheduled by the County or other organizations.
  • Herald Harbor Park: 350 Kyle Rd. - playground, picnic area, tennis courts, trails, and a basketball court
  • Waterbury Park: 1251 Sunrise Beach Rd. - playground, picnic area, pickleball, basketball, baseball, tennis, trails, and restroom

Davidsonville

  • Davidsonville Park: 3042 Patuxent Rive Rd. - has a playground, pavilion, trails, baseball field, multi-purpose field, cartop boat launch, fishing, and a restroom
  • Riva Area Park: 3639 Riva Rd. - has a playground, picnic area, pavilion, baseball, basketball, multi-purpose field, trails, and restroom
  • Riverwood Park: 1530 Morgan Rd. - has a playground, picnic area, pavilion, baseball, basketball, multi-purpose filed, tennis, trails, and restroom

Edgewater - Mayo

  • Beverly Triton Nature Park: 1202 Triton Beach Rd. on the Mayo Peninsula - trails, car top boat launch, fishing, and a mile of shoreline. Open 7am - dusk. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days.
  • Carrs Wharf: 1001 Carrs Wharf Rd, Mayo - open dawn to dusk, parking for 10 cars, fishing pier on the Rhode River, dogs on leashes ok
  • Historic London Town and Gardens: 839 Londontown Road - sound and sensory garden for children of all ages, trails through the gardens, visitor center and store, living history demonstrations and special events. click here for open days and times 
  • Homeport Farm Park: 11 Homeport Dr. - has cartop boat launch, fishing spot, trails, restrooms (open seasonally and portable)
  • Loch Haven Park: 3424 Pocahontas Dr. on the Mayo Peninsula - has a playground, picnic area, baseball field, basketball court, multi-purpose field, trails, dog park, and restroom 
  • Mayo Beach Park: 4150 Honeysuckle Dr. on the Mayo Peninsula - has swimming beach, cartop boat launch - click here for open days and times
  • South River Farms Park: 3553 Lock Haven Dr. - 3 miles of natural surface trails leading to the South River, picnic tables, port-o-potty 

Lothian

  • Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary: 1361 Wrighton Rd., Lothian - has a playground, picnic area, pavilion, natural area, trails, and visitor center with restroom. Open Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun. 
    • Glendening Nature Preserve: 5702 Plummer Lane, Lothian. Open 9am - 5pm, daily
    • Nature Preserve at Waysons Corner: 5481 Southern Maryland Blvd., Lothian. Open dawn - dusk, daily
    • Patuxent Wetland Park: 1426 Mt. Zion Marlboro Rd., Lothian. Open dawn - dusk, daily
    • Wootons Landing Park: 4550 Sands Rd., Harwood. Open dawn - dusk, daily
  • Patuxent Wetlands Park: 1598 Southern Maryland Blvd., Lothian - wildlife viewing, small boat launch, and fishing on the Patuxent River

Millersville

  • Elvation Park: Millersville - has a small playground, trails, baseball fields, and tennis
  • Kinder Farm Park: 1001 Kinder Farm Park Rd., Millersville - has playgrounds (one is structure with many different ways to climb, music section, tractor themed structure for smaller kids), walking trails, 4-H animals, visitor center, picnic area, pavilions, baseball, basketball, disc golf, fishing, horse trails, multi-purpose field, outdoor pavilions, event meeting room, and restrooms. Open 7am - dusk

Pasadena

  • Downs Park: 8311 John Downs Loop, Pasadena - has a playground (very tall climbing structure with 4 slides, a smaller structure for smaller kids, swings, and merry-go-round), basketball courts, outdoor pavilions, indoor event room, fishing pier, and kayak launch area. Open 7am-dusk 
  • Green Haven Wharf: 7660 Outing Ave., Pasadena - fishing pier and small boat launch on Stoney Creek
  • Hancock's Resolution: 2795 Bayside Beach Rd, Pasadena - Open Sundays, April - October (except Easter Sunday) 1-4pm
  • Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Park: 1543 Fairview Beach Rd., Pasadena - trails, fishing with license, Open dawn to dusk
  • Fort Smallwood Park: 9500 Fort Smallwood Rd., Pasadena - has a partially wheelchair accessible playground, fishing pier, walking trails, outdoor pavilion, beaches, swimming beach, public boat launch, and pond. Open 5:30am - dusk 
  • Lake Waterford Park: Pasadena - has a large playground, picnic area, tennis courts, basketball courts, adaptive sports fields, pavilions, hiking trails, and fishing. To fish, you need a freshwater fishing license. Open 7am - dusk 
  • Tick Neck Park: Pasadena - playground, picnic area, baseball field, trails

Other Areas of Anne Arundel County

  • Bell Branch Park: 1150 Barbara Swann Way - has a playground, picnic area, pavilion, dog park, trail, baseball field, multi-purpose field, and restroom
  • BWI Trail: Glen Burnie - 12 miles of paved trail that circle BWI airport. A parking lot, playground, and porta-potty are located at the Thomas A. Dixon, Jr. Aircraft Observation Area at 1911 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie.
  • Crofton Park: 2285 Davidsonville Rd. - has a playground, trails, pavilion and multi-purpose field
  • Deale Wharf: 511 Deale Road, Deale
  • Galesville Park: 4811 Anchors Way, Galesville - has a playground, multi-purpose field, trails, and restroom
  • Galesville Wharf: 4847 Riverside Dr., Galesville - small waterfront park on the West River 
  • Hammonds Connection and Dairy Farm: 100 Dairy Lane, Gambrills
  • Odenton Park (GORC): 2899 Strawberry Lake Way - Closed for construction.  Schedule to be complete in the fall of 2022.
  • Patuxent Ponds Park: on Patuxent Rd. near the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Trail, Odenton - catch and release fishing with a freshwater fishing license
  • Shady Side Park: 1355 East West Shady Side Rd. - has a playground, trails, baseball, basketball, multi-purpose field, and restroom
  • Shady Side Wharf: 4805-B Woods Wharf Rd., Shady Side
  • South County Recreation Center: 4510 Owensville Sudley Rd. - has a playground, picnic area, basketball, and trails
  • WB and A Trail: near Piney Orchard Parkway, Odenton - part of the trail is open and part is currently under construction. When complete, the trail will link the South Shore Trail in Odenton with the Patuxent River and an existing rail trail in Prince George's County.

Nearby Counties - Parks You'll Want to Visit

Prince George County

  • South Bowie Community Center: Bowie - has a Medieval Dragon themed playground (castle for smaller kids and a large dragon for the bigger kids), therapeutic sensory room, community garden, basketball court, and more
  • Watkins Regional Park: 301 Watkins Park Dr., Upper Marlboro - Wizard of Oz themed playground (with excerpts of the book scattered throughout), antique carousel, train, miniature golf, Old Maryland Farm, nature center