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"Tra la, it's May, the lusty month of May.
That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray."
Alan Jay Lerner
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President’s Message
Spring has officially bloomed! Quiet Waters Park is buzzing with the sights and sounds of multiple communities in motion - bees, butterflies, dogs, dragonflies and strollers - everywhere you turn!
The Anne Arundel County Academy of Watershed Stewards recently transformed three areas with new native plant gardens: along the South River Overlook, just off the road leading to the Dog Park, and on the cliff side above the children’s playground. These new gardens are the culmination of a season of planning and a gift to the Park and visitors. We are so delighted with these new additions and grateful to all the Watershed Stewards who so generously created them for the enjoyment of all!
As we celebrate these new green spaces, we also want to acknowledge the growing interest in our Memorial and Tribute Tree programs, which honor the memory of loved ones while ensuring that the beauty and health of Quiet Waters Park continue to grow for generations to come. If you are considering a gift that keeps on giving you can choose a Memorial Living Tree, or an icon for the Tribute Tree.
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With a wonderful Earth Day celebration now in our memories, a new kind of magic is beginning to stir! We are thrilled to announce the return of the Fairy House Festival, running from June 6th through June 28th.
Wander along the Holly Trail to discover whimsical, hidden dwellings tucked away in nature. The magic kicks off with our Opening Festival on June 6th (1:30 PM – 3:30 PM) at the Holly Pavilion.
To make the afternoon even more enchanting, the Ballet Theatre of Maryland will perform the "Fairy Dance" from Sleeping Beauty on the amphitheater stage starting at 3:00 PM. Don't fly away just yet—stay tuned for more updates on festival activities!
See you in the Park!
Warm Regards,
Kristin Pauly, President
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May Photo Contest Winner
Swallowtail Butterfly in Spring Flowers
by Richard Miller
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Through the eyes of the photographer...Richard Miller
"Some of the things I love most about Quiet Waters Park are the meadows. They are literally buzzing with life and bursting with color throughout the spring and summer months. As I was walking by one of the meadows last May I caught sight of some fluttering out of the corner of my eye and found this butterfly posing on these white flowers. I threw aside my childish fear of flying insects to wade in closer and capture this shot before it decided to flutter away."
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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. Weather permitting, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra musicians and dancers with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland may mingle with the fairies.
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.
| | Rosemary Gallick, "Tina in Red," Acrylic | | | | |
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Upcoming Invasive Species Clean Up Events
There will be two Invasive Species Clean Up Events this month. The first takes place on May 13th and the second on May 23rd. Registration is only requested for the May 23rd event.
1st Event: Wednesday, May 13th, 8:30 to 10:00
Where: Meet at the Sycamore Pavilion
What: We will be removing privet, English Ivy, honeysuckle and wineberry along the trail between the Sycamore and Sassafras Pavilions.
No sign up, just show up!
2nd Event: See below for details and registration.
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Earth Day Success
at Quiet Waters Park
Thank you to the volunteers and families who made Earth Day a resounding success! We enjoyed beautiful weather and fantastic community engagement.
Highlights included:
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Art & Creativity: The Art Committee’s kite making and plant pot decorating were huge hits. Special thanks to Lynn Goff and Ottilie Habercam for their leadership.
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Sustainability Workshop: Ranger Emily’s rain barrel workshop returned for a second popular year, with 25 participants crafting barrels from recycled materials.
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Conservation in Action: Terri McKenna led a hardworking group—including alumni from the University of Maryland and St. Mary’s College—to remove a massive amount of invasive species near the Holly Pavilion.
We truly appreciate your support and look forward to celebrating with you again next year!
| | Having Fun Post Kite Making | | | |
Thank You Volunteers from University of Maryland and
St. Mary's College - Invasive Species Removal
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Meet Josh LaBille
Dedicated Park Ranger
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Our featured Ranger this month is Josh LaBille, a Part-time Ranger. With a degree in Environmental Science from Anne Arundel Community College and experience in the Maryland Conservation Corps, Josh has a lifelong passion for the outdoors.
After completing 4 years with the Maryland Park Service at Sandy Point, Josh has returned to Quiet Waters, where he previously worked for over a year. His background also includes service with the Maryland Conservation Corps, an organization dedicated to skill development and the preservation of Maryland’s natural resources. An alumnus of Anne Arundel Community College with a degree in Environmental Science, Josh has always known his career path would lead him to the great outdoors.
Josh specializes in trail maintenance and ecological health. You’ll often find him clearing fallen trees or removing invasive species like ivy to protect the park's natural balance. “I try to remove as many invasive plants as possible so the native plants can flourish,” Josh says. We are lucky to have his expertise and hard work keeping our trails beautiful and healthy.
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• Spring has sprung and love is in the air! From dancing, to eating, to nest building, to serenading - birds have many courtship rituals. May is the peak of the courtship season, so it is the most likely time for you to spot some of these unique behaviors right in your own yard. Keep your feeders full, water flowing, and enjoy the show!
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• Eyes on the skies! Early May is peak migration time for our area. Keep an eye out for other birds visiting/returning to the area – such as Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks, Veerys, Mimic Thrushes (Mockingbirds, Catbirds, and Brown Thrashers), and Warblers (peak migration). You may notice that your Chickadees and Titmice have become scarce at feeders – don’t worry they haven’t left, they are just busy nesting and raising their young.
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• Let’s go Os! But not the baseball team…our state bird! Orioles are returning to the area for nesting. Be sure to have your feeders out early and make them easy to spot. Orioles love nectar, oranges, and jelly – keep it fresh and keep it flowing! If you don’t already have our beautiful state bird visiting your yard, now is a great time to try attracting them. Attracting Orioles can be like playing the lottery – you got to play for a chance to win! It can take some time, patience, and consistency to get them, but it’s well worth the effort as they can be very loyal once they find you!
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Join the Anne Arundel Bird Club on their monthly walk on May 17 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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