One of the nicest parks that I have been to since living in Maryland. Great for a bike ride a walk or even a run. This park runs along the Chesapeake Bay which is pretty cool and the views are pretty nice. I also like that there are various points of exiting and entering the park in case you want to do a long run and or bike ride. This place also looks wonderful for a nice picnic with the family or a loved one would definitely recommend. read more

The dog beach is closed and is being redone. The bathrooms were closed the day I went. I've been once before and got ticks on one of the walking paths. The flies and mosquitos can get pretty nasty while walking as well, so I wish they would spray with non-toxic sprays to help reduce them. read more

A three year old's birthday party at one of the pavilions is what brought me to this park on a Saturday morning. There is a $6 car entry fee which is only payable by cash or check. The pavilion (Tanglewood) had adequate tables and parking spaces. There was also a volleyball net by pavilion. The kids had a great time playing in the grass blowing bubbles, kicking the ball around, and hulu hooping. There is also a big playground with slides and swings. The park is also adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay so you can get a very nice view of it. A very nice park to spend the day with the family. read more

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After years of enjoying the park it's time to review it. The park has a paved bike trail, fishing pier, nice view of the water, dog beach, picnic pavilions, grills, nature center, concert venue (recently renovated) and currently rent a restrooms as the nature center facilities are renovated which they need to be. I think the paved loop is about 6 miles. There's plenty of parking. read more

Another great Ann Arundel park where you can take your dog for a dip! Downs Memorial Park is a public park with plenty of gazebos to rent for a modest fee. My main reason for driving 50 minutes was for the dog beach. It's small and a bit stinky, but the dogs that we met loved it! My pooch didn't go past the shore line, but he loved the social aspect of it. Access to the park is $6 (free for military individuals, veterans and their family) per car and is open from 7am - dusk everyday except Tuesday. read more

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We drive an hour to get here and come often. The best $6 we spend! Lots of parking, trails are paved, dog beach well taken care of. Cute pond full of all sorts of wildlife easily paved to get too. I see people fishing and many pavilions for parties, etc. They could use some more picnic tables and grills but no big deal. The view of the bay is amazing and the dogs love their own beach. The dog beach is fenced and secure for most dogs. There is a chained gate on top and stairs to access beach. Unruly dogs can get to climbing rocks on the side and some adventurous dogs turn green from going into the pond. Also, don't go to the dog park if you don't want to get dirty. Dogs swim, they shake, you are in the way. We have rarely seen any bad dog or bad people behavior. Yep, some don't want to pick up after their dogs here too, but very little to notice. There are poo bag stations near restrooms. read more

John H Downs Memorial Park - Parks Near Me - Pasadena, Maryland

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My wife originally wanted to take our wedding photos in Federal Hill, but traffic and logistics prevented us from doing it. My parents-in-law took me to Downs Park and I was impressed. We took a nice stroll through the park and the flower garden, and decided to take out wedding photos here. On Saturday, May 19, 2007, it started to rain as the ceremony ended. I was flipping out, but the limo driver took us to Downs Park as scheduled. The precipitation miraculously stopped and we were successful with our wedding pictures! Downs Park is absolutely beautiful (see photos)! IFHTP 2 read more

Bottom Line: Downs Park is a beautiful county park located along the shore of the Chesapeake Bay that offers something for visitors of all ages and capabilities. Downs Park, run by the Anne Arundel Department of Recreation & Parks, is a wonderful asset to residents of the county. The park is over 200 acres and truly has something for everyone. My favorite park of this park is the barred owl tucked away just off a paved path. But, in case you don't think you'd be so smitten with a feathery owl batting her eyelashes at you, there is plenty more to see. Here are some other amenities that make me a huge fan of this park: - Awesome panoramic views of the Chesapeake Bay. It's neat to see a mix of large ships and small watercraft making their way to and fro the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. - For the best views of both the bay and the shores of the park, walk out on the fishing pier. Anglers will need a permit but bird watching and picture taking is free. - There is a horned owl and red hawk that keep the barred owl company. These birds of prey are impressive! Watch the squirrels scamper across the top of their enclosure and tease them. (Darn squirrels.) - Whether you are traveling by foot, bike, stroller or wheelchair, the paved paths make it easy to enjoy Anne Arundel County's nature. - Kids will love the fun playground equipment. - Canines get to frolic in the bay at their very own Dog Beach. - Sports enthusiast can launch a kayak, shoot hoops or spike a volleyball. - There are lots of pavilions, complete with grills, that can be rented for private parties. But wait, there's more! Down's Park also has summer concerts. Also, I believe there is a garden that is popular for weddings and a youth camp ground. The price of admission (currently $3 per car but may increase in warmer months to $6) is a bargain for the beauty this park has to offer! read more

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What a wonderful park!! We recently went here in desperation due to an issue we were having with another local park for booking a wedding. A friend referred Downs Park and we are so glad they did. Its a beautiful park. A $6 entrance fee per car and lots of parking. Our First visit because we heard they had a dog park, we brought the pooch with us as well. Upon arrival you see what's called Mother's garden which is beautiful, peaceful and over flowing with flowers and shrubbery. Slightly hidden is an owl sanctuary, I wish there was more signage for this but I understand park budgets oh so well. The park sits right on the bay and you really have some gorgeous views, great opportunities for fishing. They also have the Chesapeake Room which you can rent for events. Which we rented both the Mothers Garden and the Chesapeake Room for our wedding. We absolutely loved the park as residents in Anne Arundel county and hope to get more involved! read more

John H Downs Memorial Park - Downs Park - Parks Near Me - Pasadena, Maryland

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Always Love this Park. I have done Several (more than I can count) photo sessions here. Rangers are always Friendly to deal with. Today we had a Baby Shower in the Fernwood Pavilion, which I have used several times in the past. Turned out to be a Beautiful Day. This pavilion is in a Perfect location. Close to the Playground, Beach, Fishing Pier and so much more. Would highly recommended for any type event. Only downside is they have a very Strict NO Alcohol Rule! Check the Park out regardless of hosting a party, picnicking with family, bike riding or 'just because'.....you wont regret it:) read more

Love this local park! It had great trails for walking or bike riding. It sits on the bay so you can just sit and enjoy the view. They also have a dog park and beach for those who have dogs. read more

Went to this park for the first time a few days ago. I wasn't too impressed with the dirty water (I didn't expect it to be nice - so that was ok) and sandy areas, but it was good enough to see open water!!! There are MANY benches throughout, which is great for viewing the water, watching the kids play, reading a book, chatting with a friend. I did not do much trail walking, but ice heard its nice. Photos taken! (April 2014 - still cold for MD weather - no flowers yet!) read more

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Beautiful garden, park, and beach! Very peaceful. Enjoyed it very much. Very clean. Great place to relax. read more

John H Downs Memorial Park - Parks Near Me - Pasadena, Maryland

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What a great find! The dog beach is cute, quite small though and be prepared for some very uppity dog owners. Dear Uppities: if you are going to bring your dog to play fetch in a 100 meter stretch of beach, expect the other 30 dogs to intercept. read more

John H Downs Memorial Park - @Drahgo not included - Parks Near Me - Pasadena, Maryland

This park is great to run around. Its very large and it is nice to run because you can easily add or substract miles based on what path you take (alot of path options.) read more

Was really surprised with how beautiful this place was. Nice playground for the kids. Beautiful beach. Nice sand area for the kids to play. Nice shelter area. Great spot for a picnic. read more

So far, this is my favorite park in Maryland. Great trail that totals to somewhere around 4 miles to run (I usually go around twice to try to get an 8 mile workout) and it is well shaded by the trees so even on the most hot days, direct sunlight can be avoided. There are also beautiful views from the beach here and nice bit of history you can walk around and read. There are also plenty of picnic areas for small to large parties and a playground for the kids. The dog beach is great. It's kind of a more secluded section of the beach side where you can take your dogs for swimming fun. Both of my dogs learned how to swim here and I would say it's probably the most fun the dogs have outdoors. The dog beach is located conveniently off the Perimeter trail so after the dogs get all wet (and inevitably get you wet) you can dry off on your run/walk around the rest of the park before getting back in the car. Military parks for free (which I get the military rate w/my boyfriend) and everyone else is an easy 6 bucks. Great deal. read more

Took a drive from downtown Baltimore to Downs Park for a quick little trip to enjoy the bay a little bit. The park sits along the west side of Chesapeake Bay and features some really nice areas. The fishing dock/dog park area provides cool picture opportunities. There is a shelter, dog park & dog beach, a beach for the 2 legged types, plenty of parking. Basically, the park offers a wide variety of things to do (trails, etc) and has a beautiful location to take some time to relax. It costs a few bucks to use the park, which is a bit of a bummer but it's such a good park in a good location that I suppose it is worth it. read more

We went to this dog beach since Quiet Waters is temporarily closed. It's ok - quiet small and rocky. There was a lot of seaweed too, but I guess that was somewhat unusual. The picture shows the extent of the dog beach. Not too crowded for a Sunday. Decent day trip from DC. read more

John H Downs Memorial Park - dog beach - Parks Near Me - Pasadena, Maryland

I came here specifically to take my dog to the dog beach, and I really didn't see much of the rest of the park. What it did see, however, looked very nice, and I found the $6 parking fee to be completely reasonable. I walked by a picnic area that was being used for a family reunion, and everyone there seemed to be enjoying themselves. My dog and I enjoyed the beach, but I found myself wishing that the area was a little bigger and that there was a gate and more fencing. There isn't a huge amount of space for the dogs to run and play, and the trees and tall grass behind the sandy area may prove to be too tempting for the more adventurous types. My dog's interest was piqued after she saw a big lab disappear into the grass, and it took a little convincing on my part to get her back into the water. I would recommend this park to anyone with an active dog who isn't prone to running away when off-leash. If your dog enjoys the water, then they should come home feeling happy and exhausted. They will also be in desperate need of a bath, but I think that is to be expected after splashing around in the Chesapeake Bay. read more

It's stunning and one of my favorite parks in Maryland. Really serene environment , beautiful scenery and pristine.

Rented a Pavilion for a family gathering and enjoyed a beautiful day at a wonderful park. It has gorgeous views of the Chesapeke Bay with rolling hills and paved trails. Highly recommend, but only gave it 4 stars because the bathroom was out of services and everyone had to drive to the restrooms because they were so far away. I feel they should have discounted the $180 fee for the Pavilion due to this fact, but they did not. read more

This is such a beautiful place to go hiking, ride a bike or have a picnic. There's a $6 entrance fee per car. Stunning water views! We walked right by deer who didn't mind us at all. The park rangers are all around in case you have questions. There were two sets of bathrooms within the park. There's also a small aviary where they have an owl. You can also go fishing there. If you walk the loop it's about 4 miles. read more

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Wonderful park with trails and a nature house with a knowledgeable staff. The dog beach, shipping pier and picnic areas are also wonderful. read more

John H Downs Memorial Park - Parks Near Me - Pasadena, Maryland

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One of my favorite places on earth! Almost all of the green space in northern Anne Arundel county has been bulldozed and built upon. Downs park is a refuge amidst suburban sprawl. The 3.4 mile perimeter trail is paved and relatively flat - the perfect place for me to run, when I have't been running in a while. The trail is mostly deserted on the 'other' side of Mountain road - and I appreciate the solitude. I've seen deer, turtles, owls and woodpeckers on this side of the park! Nature DOES still exist (at least a bit) in Pasadena. And, I love that the perimeter trail starts and ends adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay. I buy a park pass - good for entry into the park from Nov of one year to Nov of the next. Passes are $20 this year (2014-2015) - a true bargain. They used to be $40 - a fee I gladly paid because I love this park so much. read more

Brought my retriever here for some doggie playtime. Beach was a nice surprise. We wound up spending several hours here throwing a ball into the bay so she could fetch. PROS: 1. There was some good shaded areas for getting out of the sun. 2. Area was surrounded by reeds and woods so it was a deterrent for a dog to run off... But if your dog really wants to go it will 3. Walk from parking lot was not that far. 4. Good mix of dogs. CONS: had to really think about this... With every group of dogs and owners you always get a dog that doesn't want to share their toys. I saw a couple dogs get aggressive but the owners quickly put them back on their leash and left. read more

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This is a well-maintained park with many amenities for people looking for a low-cost weekend getaway. It is one of the few places in the area with a beach totally dedicated to off-leash dogs, but there are a few things to consider; The dog beach is quite small, so it can feel crowded quickly. I wouldn't go near it if there more more than 4 or 5 there at a time. Do not bring your dog to this beach if it is not completely comfortable sharing space with other pets and people. Also, you will need to have good recall skills with your dog because there is an area immediately behind the beach which is off limits. Children under 6 are also not permitted on this beach for safety reasons. It is partially shaded in the afternoon, which is great if you need to escape the sun for a while. Watch for dog poo, not everyone is as considerate as we'd all like. There are trash cans everywhere and bags available so there is really no reason for this. I managed to take my dog there during the week in the early afternoon and we had the whole thing to ourselves for about an hour. What a treat! An ill-socialized dog showed up after that though, so for the safety of my dog we had to leave the beach. Good news is, there is a spray hose attached to the drinking fountain as you walk towards the parking lot. I was able to hose off most of the sand and fishy smell off my dog before she got in the car. There is also a station to tie your dog up while you use the washroom. Little considerations like this are very much appreciated. Overall, a great place to spend the day! Just please be aware of your dog's behaviour and comfort during your visit. If you know they're just out to pick a fight or are stressed out by other dogs, take them on a leashed walk through some of the lovely trails instead! read more

Hands down, the best park I've ever been to. After reading the great reviews this park got, we decided to make the hour and a half drive up from Northern Virginia. The drive was incredibly smooth and short (probably cause we went on a weekday afternoon though), and upon arrival we were greeted by a friendly park ranger. The cost to enter was $6, which is a BARGAIN for how fun the park was. After driving a bit farther up from the entrance booth with the ranger, we got to the parking lot. We first walked to the visitor center, which is only a few feet from the parking lot. Then, since we came mainly to bring our dog to the beach, we went searching for the dog beach. We actually got lost and found a small beach that was really close to the visitor center, where our dog rolled around in the sand and we built sand castles. Later, we took her to the real dog beach. Since it was a weekday afternoon, there were only two other dogs there. One of the dogs looked exactly like mine did though! Twins! Anyway, this was my dogs first time swimming, and the gentle bay was a great place to start. Even with the tiny waves, she was still a bit scared of the water. However, eventually she was brave enough to venture farther. If you're looking for a place to teach your dog to swim, this is the place! My dog is a scaredy cat and she did it! We also visited the aviary, but unfortunately the birds of prey weren't there. The pier was also cool and it was nice to look across the bay. We also really enjoyed playing on the playground. This place looked extremely kid friendly, there were so many fun things to explore. This place is usually "humans only", with "pet parking" places nearby. But since we were the only ones there, a park ranger let us bring our dog onto the playground. It was hilarious watching my dog try to climb up the slide after watching us do it! It started thunder storming at 4, so we had to leave, but we definitely would've stayed longer if we would've. I highly recommend this place for dog lovers and park goers alike! read more

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LOVE this park! boyfriend and I brought the pup here this past weekend (when it was 100 degrees outside) and we had a ball! It cost $6 to get in to the park and was well worth it. The dog beach was clean and large enough to accommodate the 15+ dogs there. The majority of the owners did a great job watching their pups and picking up after them! We had a picnic (only allowed in the reserved areas) and walked around the paved trails! Overall a very well kept park! It's a shame that they don't allow swimming- but if that was true the beach would have been packed. read more

They have tables, benches, a pier, a restroom, a dog park and great waterfront views. I set myself up in a chair on the shore (because that's how I chillax) and let the sound of the waves put me to sleep. read more

John H Downs Memorial Park - Parks Near Me - Pasadena, Maryland

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Lovely park, hiking and biking trails. Leashes pets allowed. View of the bay. Lots of wildlife.

Grew up around this park! I love it so much, very relaxing and full of happy childhood memories.

Love it. Just don't like the crowd when they do free due to virus. I paid my yearly fee. But everyone else gets in free Probably when next year comes I won't pay for 2021 in case they do free entry again. read more

This park is the perfect place for me to go for a run/walk with exercise stations available. I'm glad there is a separate beach for dogs. The trails I've done are well maintained (no scat or trash) and mile points are clearly marked. I do wish the park map and trails were color coded and easier to follow. One time, I only wanted to do a mile but ended up doing 4 miles because I stayed on the paved paths. read more

Downs Park is a very pleasant park offering visitors their choice of peaceful trees or playful shores to enjoy throughout the day. The trails include both paved and dirt, all of which are well-kept. There are numerous pavilions, a few volleyball sand-pits, some pic-nic tables, and plenty of scenic hot-spots. It's a great spot for a nice run, a romantic date, or some picturesque photography. The terrain is fairly flat though, so if you're looking for a workout you might want to try another park. read more

I needed a place to run on Mother's Day (hubby was out of town and the gym daycare was closed). This park in only a few miles from my house. The view of the water is nice. Lots of trails to run. The playground was clean and full of fun things for my 3 year old. No signs of trash or anything run down. read more

Very large area with room for a variety of activities however the dog park is tiny and needs renovation. The area isn't completely fenced in so my two dogs got loose. For an off leash dog park the area should be secured to ensure dogs can't get get out. Very upset at the large opening. read more

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE DOG BEACH ONLY! The beach was very, very small. The beach and sand looked clean but we did see snake swimming in the water. It is not a good place to take dogs who are not well trained like my dog since the area is not fenced off well. Lastly the people at this dog beach are not friendly at all - I got the vibe immediately that they did not want their dogs to play with the other dogs there. There were also trashy people (it's Pasadena so I guess you can't expect much) who just sit on the logs smoking/vaping and being really mean to the dogs there I.e. Shooing them away...you are at a dog beach what do you expect. So needless to say my first and only experience here was horrible but I do not plan on taking my dogs here ever again because of it. read more

Beautiful place. Quiet, breezy, full of wildlife and great for walks read more

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I love this park. I take my dogs every weekend to walk the park and take advantage of the dog beach. I bought the season pass for $40.00. Well worth it. read more