Historically Black Beach in Annapolis to Become City Park

Partners Worked to 节约 Elktonia海滩,
Last Remnant of the Famous Carr’s & 麻雀的海滩

Annapolis, MD – Today, 切萨皮克的黑人 Foundation (BOCF) and 十大赌博正规老平台 celebrated the news that Elktonia海滩, the remaining parcel of the Black beaches once owned by the Carr family of Annapolis, 会变成城市公园吗. With this acquisition and its planned uses, everyone will be able to access Elktonia海滩’s natural resources and learn more about Black history on the Chesapeake.

Photo Credit: 马里兰 State Archives, MSA SC 2140-1-155

Elktonia海滩, a 5-acre waterfront parcel on the Chesapeake Bay, is the last remnant of the original 180-acre property purchased by Fred Carr in 1902. Carr’s and 麻雀的海滩 were privately-owned and operated by Fred Carr’s daughters, Elizabeth Carr Smith and Florence Carr Sparrow’s. 《十大赌博正规老平台》(1930 -1970), 他们被称为, represented the heart of entertainment throughout the mid-Atlantic region and welcomed Blacks during a time of segregation.

安纳波利斯市, 切萨皮克的黑人, 十大赌博正规老平台 and the state of 马里兰 entered into an agreement with The Conservation Fund to acquire the property through a patchwork of funding including federal, state and city Program Open Space funds. On March 10, 2022, with the support of U.S. 参议员本·卡丹, the FY 22 spending bill also included $2 million in congressionally directed spending to the City of Annapolis, 马里兰, to support a state and local partnership effort to establish and develop a city park.

文斯·莱格
礼貌的照片

“This is a dream come true,” said BOCF Founder and President 文斯·莱格. “切萨皮克的黑人 Foundation has been working for 15 years to preserve the meaningful and unique aspects of Black history and culture on the Chesapeake Bay at the site of Elktonia海滩, the last remnant contiguous to Carr’s and Sparrow’s beaches. This parcel directly fronting the Bay is so much more than just a pin or dot on a map. It serves as a national case study for the preservation and conservation of African American sites.”

(继续, “The perpetual preservation of Elktonia海滩 as a city park will provide all residents and visitors to our capital city of Annapolis with direct access to the Chesapeake Bay. This property will serve as an authentic space to interpret and share the rich heritage of African Americans who sought recreation, leisure and entertainment in these safer places, 远离种族隔离.”

“十大赌博正规老平台 is proud to partner with 切萨皮克的黑人 and The Conservation Fund to see this dream become a reality. This parcel of land is symbolic of a significant part of Black history in the United States, as well as an important part of the City of Annapolis’ history. We are so grateful to the many partners and elected officials who helped create what will one day be a city waterfront park open for everyone to enjoy the Chesapeake while honoring our history,” said 十大赌博正规老平台 President and CEO Joel Dunn. “This is a great day for everyone who has held a special place in their hearts for ‘The Beaches.’ Now this story can truly be told for generations to come.”

“We are grateful to 马里兰 Governor Larry Hogan, 马里兰 Secretary of Natural Resources Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, 安纳波利斯市长加文·巴克利说, U.S. 参议员本·卡丹 and the private landowner who chose conservation for the future of this property. 也, thank you to our partners 切萨皮克的黑人 Foundation, The Conservation Fund and the 马里兰 Commission on African American History and Culture, as well as other supporters of this effort, including 马里兰 State Senator Sarah Elfreth and Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman,邓恩继续说.