CHESAPEAKE BEACH, Md. — Locals are again requesting that the town of Chesapeake Beach consider reopening Bayfront Park to the public. The park was restricted in 2020 to residents of Chesapeake Beach only — residents voted in 2023 to extend the restrictions to 2025.
Petitions have circulated online in the years since from residents around the county, and especially by those living in nearby North Beach, who share space and resources with Chesapeake Beach. At the town public hearing on Nov. 20, several requested for the Town Council to consider reopening the park to all, rather than just Chesapeake Beach residents and their guests.
North Beach resident Matthew MacRoberts called the closure unconstitutional, citing the Fourth Circuit Court ruling, Warren v. Fairfax County, which states that “public parks are traditional public forums, regardless of their intended use, and governments may not restrict access to such forums based on residency.”
MacRoberts said Bayfront Park is legally designated as a public park, and its closure violates the Constitution. MacRoberts also pleaded a personal case; as an avid outdoorsman, he hopes to take his daughters to a natural beach to teach them about nature in Calvert County.
“I fundamentally agree with you,” Chesapeake Beach Mayor Bruce Wahl said. But Wahl also said they were “hamstrung” by the past administration, who put out a referendum to the public asking about keeping the beach open.
“I don’t know legally what we can do, but we will look at it again,” Wahl added.
Four other locals wrote in about the issue of Bayfront Park, including one that expressed concern about access to the beach. The council did not give a date when they might revisit the Bayfront Park question.
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That has never been a “public park” people need to get a life
Brownies and Bayfront have always been public parks until the town closed off access in 2020. The town has only owned Brownies since 1993. Over Water LLC owns Bayfront since they bought it in 2002.
It’s small. Owned by the town and locals voted to restrict. Sounds like democracy to me
Open Bayfront Park to (all) with a “Chesapeake Beach “Address”!! My Address is Chesapeake Beach. Chesapeake Beach is where I get My Mail! Of course! My Listed Drug Store, Grocery Store, Gas Station, Restaurants, Hair Salon, Boating Rentals, Where I watch Sun Risers, & Sun Sets!!? Well, At one Time I thought I lived in Chesapeake Beach, But, I live in Lake Karylbrook!! 5 minute drive to Rod-n-Reel.!! Walk!! Well?? I’m 82!! 30 minutes!? Thanks.
The Constitution should supercede any local referendum. If the local referendum is unconstitutional, it should be vacated.
“North Beach resident Matthew MacRoberts called the closure unconstitutional, citing the Fourth Circuit Court ruling, Warren v. Fairfax County, which states that ‘public parks are traditional public forums, regardless of their intended use, and governments may not restrict access to such forums based on residency.'”
Yep.
The town owns 18 acres aka Brownies but they do not own the 50 acres with the cliffs known as Bay Front Park. When the Brown family owned all of it, it was 2 beaches back then and it still is. The town acquired Brownies in 1993, it’s 7255 Bayside and Over Water LLC bought Bay Front 7155 Bayside in 2002. The law says you cannot restrict access to non residents. The town is restricting access to a beach they do not own yet allowing their residents to access it by walking in and free kayaks. They took themselves off the DNR soft launch list yet allow their residents to access a beach they do not own. Randle Cliff residents can no longer access their own beach. Recent courts have stated Covid beach closures were illegal and compensation is due. The current administration has been in office a year, it’s time to stop blaming the past administration.
I’ve lived in Calvert for most of my 41 years of life. When I was a student at Beach Elementary we walked to Btownies Beach for a day field trip and I fell in love. As a teenager I walked up and down the beach and boardwalk countless times finding peace and building core memories. It’s not right to horde our homes places of nature and beauty.
We should ban Chesapeake residents from parks in Calvert County and North Beach.
Make sure they can’t come to Friday night festivities, Saturday morning markets and any other events.