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President’s Message
"Spring will come and so will happiness. Hold on.
Life will get warmer."
Anita Krizzan
As the last of the winter chill fades, we see the park transforming before our eyes. Along with the new leaves and blossoms come an abundance of activities and events to welcome you back to the Park!
Harness Creek Restoration Project
We are thrilled to announce that the long-awaited shoreline restoration along Harness Creek is officially moving into the action phase! This spring, in partnership with Arundel Rivers Federation, we’re beginning work to revitalize 280 cumulative feet of shoreline, ensuring a healthier and more resilient ecosystem for years to come. You may see some activity and equipment in the area as we get started, but this is all part of the exciting transformation of the waterfront.
Earth Day at Quiet Waters Park
The Earth Day celebration in the Park will be on Saturday April 19th from 10 - 3 and feature hands-on invasive removal activities in keeping with our theme, “Native Roots Restoration.” This year, we are honoring Ranger Liz Schilder as our "Ranger of the Month" for her 8 years of dedication to organizing Earth Day events.
Important Survey
Anne Arundel County is currently conducting its 5-year Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan (LPPRP) survey, and it is vital that the Friends of Quiet Waters Park community makes its voice heard. This survey is one of the most effective ways to influence the long-term direction of our county park system.
When you participate, I encourage you to use the comment sections to emphasize the importance of nature preservation and the arts—two pillars that make Quiet Waters so special.
Preserving the Night: Dark Skies International
April 13-20 is Dark Sky International week. We are honored to announce that International Dark Sky Week has been officially recognized through formal proclamations from Mayor Jared Littmann, County Executive Steuart Pittman, and Governor Wes Moore.
The Hillsmere Stargazers Club and DarkSky Maryland are hosting an evening viewing event in the park on April 15 at 7:30 (bad weather date of April 16). There are 6 slots being held for Friends Members. More information about this can be found in the newsletter. We also encourage you to join the local Stargazers Club for future telescope outings and park viewing sessions.
And don't forget small lighting changes at home can make a big difference—help us "discover the night" and protect our ecosystem.
Our Place in the Pollinator Pathway
As our garden beds "wake up," we are doubling downing on our commitment to the Community Pollinator Pathway. Quiet Waters Park is registered as a pollinator-friendly habitat providing food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating insects and wildlife.
Welcome Eastern Watersports!
Eastern Watersports will now be handling kayak rentals on Harness Creek and we want to officially welcome them to the Park family. We look forward to partnering with them on upcoming events and future activities.
Join Us
I invite each of you to come out and experience these changes firsthand. Whether it’s a morning walk to see the new growth or a quiet evening under the stars, the park is here for your refreshment and joy.
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Warm Regards,
Kristin Pauly, President
See you in the Park!
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April Photo Contest Winner
Snack Time
by Kim Cover
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Through the eyes of the photographer...Kim Cover
"My husband and I were out for an evening cruise on our boat. We love coming into the little cove off Harness Creek at the park to just sit quietly and watch the wildlife as the sun sets. This particular evening did not disappoint, as we came upon this beauty as he flew in, enjoyed a little snack and flew out!"
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Discover the Wonders Above!
Join us for Stargazing at the Park, a special evening celebrating International Dark Sky Week (April 13-20) – a time when there is a new moon and therefore enhanced night viewing. Together, we’ll marvel at the night sky and learn how we can protect it from light pollution.
When: April 15, 7:30 PM
Where: Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, MD
Hosted by: The Hillsmere Stargazers Club
and DarkSky Maryland (www.darkskymd.org)
The Experience:
Kick off the night with a guided orientation of the night sky, followed by hands-on viewing. Whether it’s through traditional telescopes or the latest “smart” telescopes, members of the Hillsmere Stargazers Club will be there to guide your journey through the cosmos.
Reserve Your Spot:
Attendance is limited to 40 guests and requires pre-registration. To join, email Dennis Conti at dennis@astrodennis.com with your party size.
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Clap if you believe . . .
Quiet Waters Park and the Friends of Quiet Waters Park Sculpture Committee are, by popular demand, again hosting this year's
Fairy House Festival!
The response from our community to the March 15 opening of the Application Process to submit a Fairy House for the 2026 Festival was overwhelming! All slots are now filled!
We hope all fairies and those who love them will join us in admiring their homes when they grace us during the month of June.
To launch the Festival, everyone is invited to an Excitement in the Park 1:00 - 3:30 pm on Saturday, June 6th, at the Holly Pavilion.
Fairy-inspired costumes are welcome and encouraged!
Fairy Houses will be on display along the Holly Trail from June 6 through June 28.
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Margie Boynton, "A Discovery," Oil | |
Two exhibits opened in the Galleries on April 1 and continue through May 17, 2026. The Willow Gallery will show “The Land,” paintings by Margie Boynton, Margaret Rose Caro and Terry Coker Peterson. Rosemary Gallick’s acrylic paintings “Rock Out," will be hung in the Garden Gallery. “The Land” artists capture landscape, architecture, people and animals from across our vast country and their own backyards. Margie Boynton’s expressive oil paintings approach the landscape and interiors through repeating patterns and finding structure in chaos. With the use of oil conte, and pastel, Margaret Caro’s landscapes, people and animal paintings emerge from dreamlike settings, shaped as much by intuition as observation. Terry Coker Peterson’s oil landscapes express the radiance of nature, using color to evoke a sense of calm, memory and presence.
“Rock Out” is a celebration of music and its legends who have contributed to the American culture over the decades. This exhibit features acrylic portraits of iconic musicians of classic rock interspersed with musical instruments including keyboards, guitars, drums and horns. The works are visual tributes to The Beatles, Janice Joplin, Jerry Garcia, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Jimi Hendrix and more. Each painting creates an energetic mood.
The Opening Reception will be April 12, 2026 from 1:30 to 3:30 in the Visitor Center, home to the Galleries. Park entrance fee is waived for the Reception; however, it is now $8 per vehicle at all other times. The Galleries are open from 9 - 4 on weekdays and 10 - 4 on weekends.
| | Rosemary Gallick, "Tina in Red," Acrylic | | | | |
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9 am: Bird Hike with Jim Collatz and Jack Turner
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10 am-12 pm: Invasive Species removal with Terri McKenna and Ranger Josh
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11 am: Kite Making Workshop with the Art Committee: The cost is $5 per person making.
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12 pm: Compost Demonstration at the Compost Trail with the Master Gardeners
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12:30 pm: Rain Barrel Workshop with Ranger Emily. There is a $15 fee.
All day we will have CASA Coffee Truck, vendors, the goats from Kinder Farm Park, and flower planting in take-home pots.
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Two Watershed Steward Academy Projects
Looking for Helpers!
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We are pleased to announce that the Watershed Stewards Academy (WSA) Capstone Projects will be leading 2 separate native planting projects in Quiet Waters Park on Sunday, April 26. We are seeking Volunteers!
Project 1: Native Garden Soon To Harmonize the Concert Stage
Time: 9 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Near the Concert Stage and Holly Pavilion
Activities: Planting native species, soil prep, mulching and educating participants on stormwater management.
What to Bring: Sturdy shoes, water and garden gloves. Tools provided.
Volunteer Registration requested by Friday, April 24.
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Project 2: Butterflies, Bees and Birds coming to the Children's Playground
When: Sunday, April 26, 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Location: Children's Playground, across from the White Oak Pavilion
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Native plants feed butterflies, bees, and birds...
grow deep roots that reduce runoff,
and need less water and fertilizer than non-native species.
What to Bring: Sturdy shoes, water, and garden gloves. Tools provided.
All ages welcome - volunteers receive free park admission!
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Bygone Buildings Burn – Part 2
In the last 80 years, two fires destroyed houses on the Quiet Waters property. Both fires were set intentionally – though for very different reasons! In Part 1, we covered the October 2020 arson of the home of Quiet Waters Farm three former owners (Ned and Lillian Bishop, and Mary Parker) which occurred on the Quiet Waters Retreat property. In the 1960s, a farm workers’ home on the main property was burned to the ground also intentionally–but usefully!
Decades ago, the Morrises were farmworkers who lived in a house on the trail to what is now the composting area. In the early 1950s, the Morrises moved on and the building was unoccupied for years - except for hams stored inside for farm families! Around 1961, Ned and Lillian Bishop decided to take the building down.
According to Chris Buser, "My grandfather, William Buser Sr., was the caretaker at the farm at the time. He arranged for the Annapolis Fire Department to use it for training, for a practice house fire." William (Bill) Buser Jr., age 11 at the time, recounts that "The fire began in the afternoon. They would set fire to part of the house, put it out, then set fire to another part." This went on until nightfall.
This practice burn is possibly connected to a 1961 fire reported near Harness Creek. Even without official records, Bill Buser Jr. gives us eyewitness testimony that the controlled burn took place.
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A recent tour of the property searching the woods near the Wildwood Trail for remnants of the Morrises House.
April, 2026
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Restoring Harness Creek:
A Vision for a Resilient Shoreline
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Arundel Rivers Federation, in partnership with Quiet Waters Park, is restoring the natural beauty and resilience of Harness Creek through a sustainable living shoreline that protects the cliffs and nurtures local wildlife. Unlike traditional hard structures like bulkheads, a living shoreline uses natural materials—including native plants, log sills, and reef balls—to stabilize the coast while creating a thriving habitat for fish and birds.
Project Overview
- Revitalizing 280 linear feet of shoreline, stretching from south of the boat rental dock through the neighboring cove.
- Construction is set to begin in April 2026 and is expected to take less than one month.
- Impact on park operations will be minimal, as construction teams will access the site via barges on Harness Creek.
Restoration in Action
To ensure the long-term health of our ecosystem, this project includes:
- Restoring health to our canopy by selectively trimming trees to prevent cliff decline.
- Stabilizing the undercut at the bottom of the slope in an effort to help stabilize the cliffs with minimal disruption.
- Promoting habitat development by planting native marsh grasses, shrubs, and trees that anchor the soil with deep root systems.
- Protecting our shores with wave-attentuating structures like reef balls and log sills to buffer the energy from Harness Creek and the South River.
- Inspiring the community through the installation of new educational signage explaining the science and benefits of living shorelines.
A special thank you to the Anne Arundel County Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration and the Chesapeake Bay Trust for funding this project. Project partners include Arundel Rivers Federation, the Department of Recreation and Parks, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, who will supply the oyster reef balls for the project. This project was designed by Environmental Systems Analysis, Inc. and will be constructed by PayDirt, LLC.
For more information on this project, please check out the Arundel Rivers Restoration webpage.
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Meet Liz Schilder - Ranger of the Month | Ranger Liz has spent the past 8 years making Quiet Waters Park a better place. She has been the creative force behind our annual Earth Day Celebration, expertly coordinating everything from local environmental exhibits and 5k runs to bird walks and nature hikes. Though she grew up here in Anne Arundel County, she actually began her park career out west in New Mexico. Liz’s true passion is sharing the magic of nature with our youngest visitors during her weekly Infant & Toddler hikes. |
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| | • Nesting Nutrition – Nesting season is under way! Be sure to provide a super-boost of calcium and protein by serving our Nesting SuperBlend to your birds. The need for protein and calcium substantially increases for birds during periods of egg-laying. Protein-rich foods are crucial for muscle and feather development. | | |
• They’re almost here! Hummingbirds are on their way and are projected to start arriving in Maryland by early to mid-April. Now is the time to get your supplies and have them ready for the season ahead. If you are making your own nectar, the recipe is 1-part regular table sugar to 4 parts water (1:4), boil until dissolved, and allow to cool. Please be sure not to use red dyes, additional sweeteners, or sugar substitutes.
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| • Earth Day is April 22nd! Looking for a great way to celebrate Earth Day? How about creating a bird-friendly habitat in your yard? In the last 50 years, our bird population has declined by almost one-third, largely due to habitat loss. Your yard can make a difference! | | | | |
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Scouting for Birds at Quiet Waters Park!
We had a fantastic turnout for the annual bird walk! Anne Arundel County Bird Club member Jim Collatz led a group of 10 girls and 12 parents from Brownie and Junior Troop 4074 through the park to explore our local avian residents.
The group successfully spotted 12 different species, with the vibrant Red-Headed Woodpecker and the elegant Hooded Merganser being the highlights of the day. A special thanks to Brownies Gus and Olivia Thornton, who did an excellent job documenting the sightings. It was a wonderful morning of nature and community!
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Join the Anne Arundel Bird Club on their monthly walk on April 19 in Quiet Waters Park on paved paths through habitat that includes mature deciduous forest, wood edges, mowed fields, wetlands, and a native plant garden, along with sweeping views of the open waters of the South River and Harness Creek. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Quiet Waters Park Road past the Visitor Center, the amphitheater and dog park. For further information contact Jim Collatz, jcollatz@aol.com, 301-254-0188.
This event is recurring the 3rd Sunday of each month September through May.
Time is 8:00-10:30.
600 Quiet Waters Park Road
Annapolis, MD 21403
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2026 FQWP Photo Contest – Now Open!
| | We’re excited to welcome entries for the 12th Annual Friends of Quiet Waters Park Photo Contest. Share your best images of Quiet Waters Park—nature scenes, wildlife, water views, sculptures, seasonal landscapes, and park events. | | | | |
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Nature Center Sundays
Join the park ranger every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm for Nature Center Sundays, a special opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the outdoors.
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Infant/Toddler Hike
Join Ranger Liz every Tuesday for a fun spring hike! The location changes each week, so ask the gate attendant where we are.
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Individual annual memberships help us fund projects & events in the Park.
Become a member today!
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Not ready for a membership, but would still like to donate?
Click below to donate today!
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Honor Your Loved One
While Helping Your Favorite Park!
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Next time you are in the Visitors Center, visit the Memorial Tribute Tree in the entrance foyer installed by the Friends of Quiet Waters Park and park staff. The tree offers those wishing to honor loved ones an opportunity to purchase gold, silver, and copper leaves and special features such as acorns or mini trees. These will be custom engraved with your personal messages. The engraved feature will be a perpetual tribute to your loved one and proceeds benefit the park.
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Interested in sponsoring programs at Quiet Waters Park?
Our local sponsors help support Friends of Quiet Waters Park activities.
Contact us for more information: Info@friendsofquietwaterspark.org
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Friends of Quiet Waters Park
www.fqwp.org
Stay Connected via Facebook
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