Frequently Asked Questions

The Department encompasses 22 Parks including two equestrian trails, 10 Nature Areas, two beaches, 18 Public Landings - 10 of which have boat ramps, 3 Boat Slip Marinas, 2 fishing piers, Blue Heron Golf Course with Driving Range, and the Bay Bridge Airport.  It works with both the public and private sectors to plan, acquire, design and develop, maintain, preserve and enhance the County’s natural resources, open spaces and waterfront properties while providing remarkable public recreation opportunities to the growing population.  These amenities serve to stimulate economic development by spurring development of hotels, restaurants, fishing charters, organized water and sports activities, adventure tours and other ancillary uses of the County’s natural resources.

Park pavilions and trail areas can be rented for gatherings and walk/run/bike activities. Conquest Preserve is reserved for private parties such as weddings, family reunions, and company picnics.  Matapeake Clubhouse is currently only for rent for “off season” usage. 

• Parks are open from Dawn to Dusk. 
• Public Landings are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Romancoke Pier is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Matapeake Pier is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Public Landing usage is by parking permit only.  These annual and daily permits are sold over the counter by 17 vendors located throughout Queen Anne’s County.  The Permit Application is available on the website. 

At Matapeake boat ramp and Romancoke kayak launch area, landing permits are valid for boat launching only.  Use of the fishing piers requires a separate entrance fee.  Matapeake and Romancoke Fishing Piers utilize a Kiosk machine for parking.  The machines accept exact change or credit card and the cost is $2.50 per hour per vehicle. 

Public Landings Officers and Park Rangers patrol the facilities for patron assistance and can issue citations for infractions of the rules and regulations.  Payment of these citations can be done at qac.org, through the mail, or at our office. If a citation is left unpaid, the vehicle registration will be flagged and a release from our office will be needed to renew the tags.  MVA charges a fee for this service above the amount of the citation.

Various season sport leagues and travel teams reserve our baseball, football, soccer, and lacrosse fields and lights for practices, games, and tournaments. Field conditions due to inclement weather will be listed on the website.

Events on County owned property where the attendance for any type of event is expected to exceed 200 people or impact County services such as police, ambulance, fire departments. Sporting events with more than 10 teams.

At various times throughout the year volunteers are needed for various projects, such as tree plantings and clean-ups.  Eagle Scout projects can also be arranged through the Department.