New Marina For People With Disabilities Unveiled In Annapolis

ANNAPOLIS, MD — An Annapolis nonprofit will open a new marina next spring to serve people with disabilities. The proposal has been four years in the making, but Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating officially broke ground on Monday.

The organization, also known as CRAB, has a fleet of adapted sailboats that are accessible for locals who use wheelchairs. The group brings boating to residents with disabilities, wounded warriors and children from underserved communities.

CRAB, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, previously operated out of Sandy Point State Park. The new facility will exceed standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

"It has been CRAB’s ultimate goal to make the adaptive boating center the premier ADA facility to provide greater access to the Bay for all people with disabilities," CRAB Executive Director Paul Bollinger said in a press release.

The adaptive boating center will replace the former Port Williams Marina at the mouth of Back Creek. It will be located at 7040 Bembe Beach Road.

The City of Annapolis agreed to buy the $2.25 million property in 2017, but the sale didn't close until last October. The land purchase included:

• $1.3 million from Anne Arundel County
• $500,000 from the City of Annapolis
• $450,000 from CRAB that it won in 2019 as part of the state government's budget

"This will be a tremendous amenity for Annapolis and another reason people call us the ‘Sailing Capital,'" Mayor Gavin Buckley added in the release. "I am happy that we can make adaptive sailing a priority."

Annapolis will lease the site to CRAB for 40 years. CRAB will pay for the construction, maintenance and events at the center. CRAB is raising $1.2 million for the build.

Lex Birney, CEO of The Brick Companies, donated $100,000 to erect a pavilion and park on the grounds in memory of his father. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources additionally granted Annapolis $250,000 to build the new floating dock. The state budget also allocated $75,000 for the accessible bathrooms on site.

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CRAB will start clearing the site and rebuilding the marina in the coming months. Project planners scheduled the grand opening for next April.

The adaptive boating center will also feature CRAB offices and the Don Backe Learning Center, named after the founder of the nonprofit. The site will offer boating instruction, stem programs and exercise classes.

"We welcome CRAB to Ward 7," Alderman Rob Savidge concluded in the write-up. "This facility fits in perfectly in our Ward and will be an incredible asset to the City and County, ensuring equal access to sailing on our beautiful waters."

Savidge attended the groundbreaking ceremony with Birney, Buckley and Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman.

Click here to see the sketches for the planned site. Visit crabsailing.org to learn more about the organization.

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