The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Announced on April 22 that the Popes Creek Waterfront Park Living Shoreline Design was one of 22 recipients of funding through the federal Coastal Zone Management Act.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources submitted the project and secured $120,865 in funding to be awarded to the Resilience Authority of Charles County. The project will transform the former site of the Gilligan’s Pier restaurant into a nature-based park.
"By repurposing the former Gilligan's Restaurant into a public park, we're not only enhancing recreational opportunities by providing access to the water, but also addressing the impacts of climate change with the planned shoreline and habitat restoration,” Sam Drury, Deputy Director of the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, said.
The Popes Creek Waterfront Park Living Shoreline Design project will utilize nature-based solutions to mitigate sea level rise, erosion, and storm events to ensure the park's long-term health. According to a summary of the project, the design “effectively demonstrates equitable climate resilience grounded in the connection between healthy biodiverse ecosystems and healthy human communities.”
The design features vegetated headlands to reduce erosion and native marsh plantings to aid in shoreline stabilization, create habitats for aquatic organizations, provide aesthetically pleasing features, and improve water quality.
Overall, the improvements to the shoreline will further protect the Future Pokes Creek Waterfront Park, which will sit on 17 acres of waterfront property and include amenities such as a boardwalk and bike trail, wetland fishing and crabbing areas, a nature center, and other outdoor activities.
Click here to view more about the future Popes Creek Waterfront Park.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provided a grand total of $59.8 million for 22 coastal management program projects. For a full list of awards, click here.
