CHESTER — Queen Anne’s County officially welcomed the completion of the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center site improvement multiphase projects with a grand reopening ribbon cutting April 23.
While the newly renovated park has been open since April 1, the ribbon cutting marked the official completion of the site improvement projects.
Todd Mohn, Queen Anne’s County administrator, noted the facility has been a “labor of love” since the former residential property was transformed into the visitors center in the 1990s.
The first phase of the project included replacing the existing bulkhead and two boat ramps and installing a new boat pier and platform. A boat lift was installed for the Department of Natural Resource Police.
The second phase of improvements consisted of an upgraded parking facility and various site amenities, among those, a boardwalk through a wetland-type area and lighting along new pathways.
The area also has designated spots for both boating and fishing.
“I think our residents are really excited because this is just a showcase of all that Queen Anne’s County has to offer,” Heather Tinelli, director of economic and tourism development said.
The project was done in-house which allowed for flexibility and changes as well as input from various departments, according to Paul Sidun, Department of Public Works project manager.
Decorating the staging area by the water is a compass rose with the same colors as the Queen Anne’s County seal, Sidun said.
Grant assistance for the project came from the Department of Natural Resources and officials noted it was a collective effort with state, county and local departments to achieve the new facility.
The project is an excellent example of how the county commissioners invest money to open up water front accessibility, County Commissioner Phil Dumenil said.
The Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center is located at 425 Piney Narrows Road in Chester.
More information can be found at visitqueenannes.com/explore.
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