Letter To The Editor: Opinion On The Current Status Of The Chesapeake Beach Waterpark

The following opinion piece was submitted by Gail Harkins from Chesapeake Beach, Maryland.

CHESAPEAKE BEACH, Md. – The Chesapeake Beach Water Park is closed for the 2024 season while the Mayor and Town Council of Chesapeake Beach have a master plan of “reconceptualizing” the water park to remove elements of the water park that are attractive to tourists. 

The 2023 rates for the 3-month season were so outrageously priced; well, you decide. Season rates for a town resident family package (four guests) was $485, and a Calvert County resident family package (four guests) was $1450. (Calvert Countians are considered tourists?) The equivalent price (four guests) at Six Flags in Bowie would be $236 for over 100 attractions, 131 acres, and a 6-month season. The postage stamp of land that the park occupies is owned by the Board of Commissioners of Calvert County. County residents should pay the same rate as town residents. Why were the 2023 rates changed? The town says it was to cover costs. One could infer that its intention was to fail. 

The town conducted a survey before the announcement of the “reconceptualization” master plan which returned almost 2000 responses, many of which were in favor of the water park.  The results of the survey are explained by town officials. Respondents want a water park that is “accessible and affordable, instead of a tourist attraction”. Other than declaring we don’t want tourists, that doesn’t make sense and is an obvious paradox!

Mayor Pat Mahoney says the park is unsafe to open this year.  There is no public evidence of existing code violations or identifying imminent dangers. I spent a lot of time there last summer and was never aware of any safety hazards. Without documentation of massive structural failures, condemning the water park and “reconceptualizing” a complete redesign of the water park would be a complete waste and an abuse of the town’s taxpayer dollars. 

Have current and past administrations neglected to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure? The highest and best use of taxpayer dollars is to upgrade and maintain what we already have.  

I want SUMMERTIME JOY in Chesapeake Beach — Smell the salt air while floating around the lazy river, flying down the slides, and splashing around in the pools…AGAIN! 

I stand in opposition to “reconceptualizing” the water park. Why close the water park for years and burden the taxpayers with an unnecessary multi-million-dollar project that will take decades to recoup.

If you agree, voice your opinion and email info@chesapeakebeachmd.gov.

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If you would like more info about the Chesapeake Beach Water Park, click here.