Energy-Efficient Upgrades Completed At Sandy Point State Park

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently completed several energy-saving enhancements at Sandy Point State Park in Anne Arundel County. The improvements are expected to reduce the park’s energy use by 45 percent, saving kilowatt hours used by almost 400,000 per year, according to a news release.

“These new eco-friendly upgrades are expected to reduce the park’s current energy use by almost half,” Maryland Park Service Superintendent Nita Settina said in a news release. “We are pleased to be doing our part as good environmental leaders and stewards to conserve and use energy more efficiently, responsibility and wisely. We hope to expand and replicate this sustainable success story to more of our state lands and parks in the near future.”

Sandy Point State Park upgrades include a solar hot water system and solar rooftop panels plus energy-efficient hand dryers, lighting and plumbing fixtures.

Roughly 285 solar panels were installed throughout the park, including a rooftop array on East Beach Area picnic pavilions. These panels will create sustainable electricity that will be used by the public. A new solar hot water system in the East Beach Area bathhouse will generate all its hot water needs.

In addition, all interior and exterior lighting throughout the 786-acre state park has been replaced with energy-saving fixtures and all faucets and shower heads have been substituted with low-flow fixtures. Lastly, 35 high efficiency hand dryers have been installed.

Photo of Sandy Point State Park courtesy of Maryland Department of Natural Resources