City Preparing to Re-Open Waterworks Park

City officials are getting ready to re-open Waterworks Park about a year after the popular hiking and fishing area was .

Annapolis Parks and Recreation officials announced on Aug. 1 that the park will be re-opening in September, according to the city’s website.

They also have scheduled a meeting to meet with people who are interested in becoming a volunteer ranger there. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center at Truxtun Park, 273 Hilltop Ln.

The meeting will discuss the responsibilities for the ranger program and a formal orientation and training will be scheduled for later in August, according to the announcement.

“I’m glad that Recreation and Parks can reopen the facility at no additional cost to the City,” Mayor Josh Cohen said in a release. “Now residents can return to a local place where they can fish, hike or just relax.”

Waterworks Park is about a mile west of along Defense Highway. A reservoir there used to be the source of the city's drinking water before a new water plant was built within the 500 acres of city-owned property that surrounds the park.

According to the city's website, Waterworks has three freshwater fishing ponds that are catch-and-release, along with miles of trails and a picnic pavilion.

Limited hours have been slated for September, October and November and mountain bikes are prohibited, according to the release. The schedule for now is:

• Weekdays, 4 p.m. until dusk.
• Weekends, 7 a.m. until dusk.
• The park will close to the public during the winter months.

The park has always operated under a process that limits the number of permits sold, according to the release. The reopening will offer these permits on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits will be sold at the recreation center.

Monthly permits cost $10 for city residents and $15 for nonresidents. September permits will go on sale Aug. 15: October permits will go on sale Sept. 15; and November permits will go on sale Oct. 15.

Quarterly permits cost $30 for city residents and $45 for nonresidents and go on sale Aug. 15.

If you are interested in volunteering as a park ranger, call 410-263-7958, email recpark@annapolis.gov, or plan to attend this meeting.