Popes Creek Waterfront Park Master Plan

Popes Creek and its associated marsh are a unique natural feature in southern Charles County. The park design responds to the needs and priorities of the community by providing a wide range of outdoor amenities centered around the themes of environmental education, celebration, and aquatic recreation – all intended to connect visitors to nature.

The main design challenges were due to the extreme topography between the two main focus areas of the site. A multi-story overlook “treehouse” connects the waterfront and marsh with the larger upland park area through a canopy walk which allows visitors a new perspective of the forest canopy and provides universal access to all regardless of physical ability. Waterfront recreation includes swimming, kayaking, fishing, and boating. Access to the water is provided through a series of ramps for visitors with mobility needs. Habitat restoration and a living shoreline is included around the creek inlet, helping to heal the natural systems and bolster resiliency for future sea level rise.

The upper portion of the site allows for large scale events and festivals, distributed parking for the entire park, a nature themed destination playground, and nature center for visitors and school groups. The park master plan includes primitive campgrounds, an extensive trail network, and a boardwalk network with interpretive overlook stations.