Governor Hogan Publicizes Annapolis Waterfront Park Funding to Protect Legacy of Historic Carr’s Seaside
State and Native Partnership Will Protect Open House on Important Historic Property
on Chesapeake Bay
Photograph by Jody Couser, Chesapeake Conservancy
Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Division of Pure Sources (DNR) at this time introduced that the State of Maryland will present greater than $4.8 million towards the acquisition of a traditionally vital waterfront property for the event of a brand new Annapolis public park.
The land has been recognized as a part of the property as soon as owned by the Carr Household and is near Carr’s Seaside and Sparrow’s Seaside, in style resorts on the Chesapeake Bay that served the Black neighborhood at a time after they have been prohibited from utilizing different seashores. Often called “the Seaside,” Carr’s Seaside hosted many distinguished Black performing artists throughout the Forties, 50s, and 60s, together with Chuck Berry, The Temptations, Ike and Tina Turner, The Shirelles, Little Richard, and Billie Vacation.
“We’re proud to companion with the Metropolis of Annapolis to reclaim a part of this lovely waterfront space that’s of such nice historic and cultural significance,” mentioned Governor Hogan. “As a significant music venue and beloved gathering place for generations of Black Marylanders, Carr’s Seaside left an unimaginable legacy that we’ll now be capable to protect for posterity.”
The state contribution will fund the vast majority of the land acquisition. DNR is committing $3.68 million in grant funding from Program Open House (POS) Stateside, which is able to complement POS Native funds from the Metropolis of Annapolis and Anne Anne Arundel County. Governor Hogan additionally dedicated $1.2 million in Native Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding to the Blacks of the Chesapeake Basis for the Carr property acquisition.
“Carr’s Seaside was as soon as a location the place my mom loved concert events within the late Forties, and I’m proud that this partnership will assist convey new life to an space that vastly contributed to the wealthy cultural material of Annapolis and the State of Maryland,” mentioned Lt. Governor Boyd Ok. Rutherford. “The event of a park will add extra outside area for future generations to take pleasure in new adventures and make lasting recollections.”
As well as, U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin lately secured $2 million in congressionally directed spending to assist the undertaking. The advocacy of Maryland Sen. Sarah Elfreth and the Chesapeake Conservancy has additionally been vital in these efforts.
“This acquisition presents a novel alternative to protect a traditionally vital space whereas offering public entry and rising outside recreation alternatives on the Chesapeake Bay,” mentioned Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio of DNR. “We admire the governor’s management on this undertaking, which has been made attainable via a robust want to additional the historic preservation and land conservation targets of Maryland and the Metropolis of Annapolis.”
The 5.17-acre property would supply alternatives for strolling paths and public water entry the place public water entry is at the moment restricted, shield an unimproved parcel from growth, in addition to protect a historic website the place Black Marylanders gathered within the Nineteen Thirties via the Nineteen Sixties for concert events by world-renowned artists, cultural occasions, and household outings.
“This can be a nice day for the Metropolis of Annapolis,” mentioned Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley. “The importance of Carr’s Seaside to the historical past of Annapolis can by no means be overstated. For over three a long time, the seashore was the place to play. From Sarah Vaughan to James Brown to Stevie Marvel, all of the greats got here to play on the water and look out on the Chesapeake Bay. We now have a possibility to protect this website and get it the nationwide recognition it deserves. This is able to not have been attainable with out the governor and lieutenant governor, the state, the Blacks of the Chesapeake Basis, and the Chesapeake Conservancy.”
The Metropolis of Annapolis has submitted a POS Native utility and has enlisted The Conservation Fund (TCF) Maryland to buy the property on the town’s behalf. Topic to Board of Public Works approval, DNR is ready to dedicate POS Stateside funds to the native undertaking to allow the acquisition to proceed. This system will maintain an easement on the property that will preserve ecological attributes and restrict the property to passive leisure use, which incorporates trails, picnic areas and pavilions, and extra facilities.