Historically Black Beach Converted Into Anne Arundel Park, Preserves Cultural Legacy

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A historically Black beach was recently converted into a public park in Annapolis. The 5.17-acre shoreline, called Elktonia Beach, was part of a larger property that welcomed Black Marylanders during segregation.

Elizabeth Carr Smith and Florence Carr Sparrows owned and operated the 180-acre destination, which was open in the middle of the 20th century. The site had a swimming area, a small amusement park and a concert hall that hosted famous acts like:

• Chuck Berry
• The Temptations
• Ike and Tina Turner
• The Shirelles
• Little Richard
• Billie Holiday
• Sarah Vaughan
• James Brown
• Stevie Wonder

The Carr family owned Elktonia Beach. It was located a few blocks from Carr's Beach and Sparrow's Beach, but it was not part of either coast.

Elktonia Beach sits at the intersection of the Severn River and the Chesapeake Bay. By land, it is situated just off Bembe Beach Road.

The park will offer trails and conserve nature at Elktonia Beach, which is the last slice of undeveloped property from the Carr family.

The beach and its trails are now open to the public. Visitors can park at the Ellen O. Moyer Nature Park, located at 7314 Edgewood Road. Hikers can then cross Bembe Beach Road and walk the dirt road. At the fork in that dirt road, the trailhead lies to the right and the BayWoods of Annapolis community sits to the left.

A map of the park is shown below.

How It Happened

Community members have advocated for this park for years. Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley said preserving the site's cultural significance has been one of his priorities.

"Recognising the history of this place, the connections and memories for our African-American community, and the legacy for all of us was simply… awesome," Buckley said on Facebook. "Delivering on these commitments and these public projects, is why I ran for office."

Buckley joined other local officials on Aug. 12 for the property transfer ceremony. A video of that gathering is posted here.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman also attended the event. He applauded the teamwork from the city, county, state and federal governments to make the park a reality.

"This beach is an important piece of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County history," Pittman said on Facebook. "We knew we had to preserve it."

Gov. Larry Hogan said the state contributed more than $4.8 million to the project, which funded most of the purchase. U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin secured another $2 million from Congress.

Leaders said Maryland Sen. Sarah Elfreth, Chesapeake Conservancy and the Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation have been critical in the park push.

"We are proud to partner with the City of Annapolis to reclaim part of this beautiful waterfront area that is of such great historic and cultural significance," Hogan said in a March press release announcing the funding. "As a major music venue and beloved gathering place for generations of Black Marylanders, Carr’s Beach left an incredible legacy that we will now be able to preserve for posterity."

Related:

• Carr's Beach: Historically Black Coast Could Become Naptown Park
• New Annapolis Mural Unveiled, Artist Honors Black Musicians