Anne Arundel County will present the final design for the 19.4-acre Quiet Waters Retreat property at a public meeting next Wednesday, November 18, giving Annapolis-area residents their first look at a plan years in the making. The gathering is set for 6 p.m. at the Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library, where the county’s Department of Recreation and Parks will walk attendees through the schematic design and take questions before the project moves forward.
According to the Anne Arundel County project page, the meeting is intended to review the schematic design and provide time for comments, questions and answers. The county says design work began in 2026, built on a master plan developed earlier, and residents will be able to review the plans, ask questions and offer feedback before any improvements begin, per reporting from Eye On Annapolis.
What the Final Design Includes
The retreat property will become part of the existing 340-acre Quiet Waters Park once finished, and the county’s plans emphasize preservation over construction. Features described on the county’s project page include scenic overlooks, a rehabilitated boathouse platform, and informal spaces designed to preserve specimen trees, protect sensitive slopes and enhance views of the South River and Loden Pond. The county adds that the new area will feature trail-based discovery, habitat restoration and naturalistic amenities.
Per Eye On Annapolis, the proposed improvements also include low-impact walking trails through forests and meadows and designated pollinator habitats, alongside protected natural areas. The outlet reports that no new buildings are planned for the site, with the property instead being developed as a low-impact natural area that emphasizes environmental preservation rather than buildings or extensive recreational infrastructure. Eye On Annapolis also reports that the final design reflects community input built around the principle “keep it natural, make it native!” — with the county’s approach said to prioritize protecting existing habitats while still providing public access to natural features.
A Long Road From Purchase to Plans
The county’s interest in the land goes back further than most residents may remember. The county’s plan to purchase the 19-acre property located on the south end of Quiet Waters Park near Loden Pond dates back to June 2019, according to the Capital Gazette. At the time of acquisition, county officials said the county would need to make capital improvements before opening it to the public, the paper separately reported in 2019.
That timeline grew more complicated when a private office building was proposed for the expansion parcel. The Capital Gazette reported that roughly 250 community members turned out for a January 2023 meeting on the proposed Earl Conservation Center building, voicing opposition. Those plans were ultimately canceled, and a citizen stakeholders’ group was formed by the county as a result, according to Hillsmere Shores, which tracked the project’s evolution on its community site.
What Comes Next
Eye On Annapolis reports that improvements are expected to begin approximately one year after the November 18 meeting, per the county’s timeline, with completion anticipated by spring 2028. The expansion is framed as providing additional public green space while preserving the property’s natural character, giving Annapolis residents a long-awaited answer on what has been one of the park system’s more contested parcels.
