Marshy Point Nature Center, a Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks facility, opened in the Spring of 2000.
The center is located on land acquired by the County in 1982 from the Weiskittel and Zielinski families. The area around Marshy Point has a rich tradition of waterfowl hunting, and winter still brings rafts of ducks, geese, and tundra swans to area creeks. . The development of Maryland’s state dog, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, took place at the Marshy Point Ducking Club, and President Benjamin Harrison, Babe Ruth, and Annie Oakley all hunted here. Fishermen have long explored the waters around Marshy Point in search of rockfish, chain pickerel, perch, catfish, and blue crabs.
Marshy Point strives to be the premier education center on the Chesapeake Bay through the efforts of staff and volunteers to provide innovative programs, inclusive park features, interactive exhibits, and quality park management to engage residents of Baltimore County and surrounding areas in meaningful and educational outdoor experiences. Marshy Point Nature Center provides programs for visitors of all ages. School and group programs are available during the week, and a quarterly calendar includes nature programming on a variety of topics.
The Marshy Point Nature Center Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (made up of volunteers) and the official partner organization of Marshy Point Park and Nature Center. It seeks to encourage an abiding appreciation of nature, to increase awareness of environmental issues, and to inspire individuals to preserve a healthy planet.
The Nature Council works with the Department of Recreation and Parks to support the work of the Nature Center and its educational programs, both formal and informal. It hosts monthly audiovisual presentations by natural resource professionals and noted naturalists. Other programs include water-oriented summer camps for a variety of ages, Monday Pre-K drop-ins, bird walks, canoeing, boat trips, and many other seasonal programs. Special events include the annual Spring and Fall Festivals.