Nice little park here in Arnold. Not very busy most of the time. There is a playground for kids,…read morea dog park and a decent amount of parking.

This is one of the nicest parks and has an impressive array of equipment, fields, trails, and…read moreshelters. We visited twice while in the area -- once near dusk and once in the midmorning hours. The park is well utilized and populated with other park goers and sporting activities. Plenty of parking, easy access, and restroom facilities of portable toilet near the playground and soccer field. Witnessed several soccer games and lacrosse team sports while visiting and driving through the park. Stadium lighting enabled game play after the sun had set. Fields all appeared to be well maintained. Fitness trail with instructional signage and equipment was well maintained and an impressive feature. Plenty of trails could be seen from our vantage point. Multiple covered shelters with plenty of picnic tables. Lots of dog walkers and foot traffic. We enjoyed the pirate ship playground equipment as well as swings, including one specifically outfitted to accommodate special needs. Play activity equipment was scattered around the large soft-surface playground, including a drum and bell stand and spinning equipment, with a handful of benches scattered about surrounding the area to accommodate watchful oversight close by. Stamp of approval from the 3-year-old and all of the adults in our group. Would visit again.

So cute! A darling little beach with good nature trails just an hour from DC. Make sure that you…read morereserve your day pass in advance as you can't get in without one on busy weekends. It's free right now but the gate attendant said eventually it will be $6. They are currently building bathrooms and a rinse-off station, but they have porta potties for now. Nicely paved roads to get there, a Safeway en route (coming from DC), and an easy walk to the beach from the parking lot. Entering the park via the gatehouse, the beach is to the right. Follow the trail and signs past the small playground on the right and past the pond on the left. I recommend going to the right once you get to the beach itself as it was less crowded the day I was there. A couple rules important to know before you go. You can drive up closer to the beach to unload, but no parking there unless you have a handicapped sticker/plate. Also, no dogs on the beach unless it's a service dog. There is a ranger walking around so don't try it as you'll be disappointed (as I saw two families have to leave). And no climbing on the break wall rocks. Seems fun, so why not? The ranger said that very aggressive (but non-poisonous) water snakes live there, eek! Also, since I went in August, beware of the jellyfish--they were everywhere. But I also saw huge schools of tiny fish and lots of birds (seagulls, pelican, etc). The beach does not have any natural shade. I had read on the website no umbrellas or tents but I saw tons of families with them and they didn't get in trouble. Bring your snacks and drinks and beach comforts as there are no concessions, just the beach! And the water itself was clear to start but then got more cloudy and had seaweed as the day went on. It's nice and shallow, so I think we will come back when the jellyfish aren't so numerous.

45-minutes from Washington, D.C. Beverly Triton Nature Park is one of the closest beaches to the…read morecity. On top of that, it's a protected park with trails and views. Here's why you should visit: 1) Parking: There's a small lot that fills up fast during the summer. My daughter and I went on an August Friday morning and had to wait a few minutes for someone to leave. There is a lot across the street, but it also fills up too. Parking is free. 2) Trails: There are several short hikes perfect for toddlers. My four-year-old daughter was able to hike the Triton Trail on her own without a stroller or asking to be carried. 3) Beach: The fastest way to the beach is down the paved trail by the main parking lot. It takes 1-2 minutes to walk to the long, but narrow public beach. Bring sunscreen and bug spray. There's no shade at all. 4) Outhouses: There are two outhouses at the main parking lot AND another one at the beach entrance. Unless you want to change in a dirty outhouse, put on your swimsuit before you arrive.

Mowbray Park is right next to Matapeake School Complex and offers a lot of outside fun for kids of…read moreall ages. 2 age appropriate playgrounds (with disability access swings and ramps) as well as tennis courts, 2 baseball diamonds, a pavilion, and bathrooms. Dogs on leash welcome

Just a great place to walk or bring your chair and a book to read…read more The trails are beautifully, paved and marked enabling you to get a great workout if that's what you choose to do. If not, it's just nice to walk and see what's going on in the park. Me as a bird lover love this place because I've captured at least 40 different species of birds in the park at various times. If you have children, they have a very nice large playground

What's not to love? The grounds are well kept and there is always ample parking. The trail is a…read morereally nice loop with plenty of trash cans and benches along the way. Perfect for a stroll with your kiddo or pup! The park is really nice as well. Plenty of space for kids of all ages. I took my 7 month old in a stroller to see all of the farm animals, took a lap around the walking trail, and ended at the infant swings at the park. A perfect afternoon! Oh and the bathrooms next to the park are always clean and have toilet paper which is a big plus :)

This is a beautiful well kept park. Great for walking, kayaking or just a picnic . Play equipment…read morefor kids and quiet little beach areas.

Best park in the area! Mainly we go for walking and the playground. Walk the full loop for the…read morebeauty of the park. Can be a little busy on weekends but has never stopped us!

Lake Waterford Park is probably one of my favorite parks in Anne Arundel County. I have brought my…read moredog here dozens of times over the years for walks, hikes and just to people watch. Unlike many other parks Lake Waterford typically has a ton of county park employees on-site. It really shows because they are usually out and about maintaining the park which is always litter free and beautifully landscaped. There are numerous trails and water views throughout the woods. Overall, I highly recommend this park for your dogs, kids or just your human self!

Park needs a little help right now after the big storms. Could not go around the lake and many…read morepaths were closed. 7/26/26 playground looked nice.

a fantastic hidden gem park- located near the more popular Thomas Dixon Airplane Park, what I love…read moreabout this location is the ample shade- and the variety of equipment for both toddlers & older kids- My 3yr old loves the monkey bars, pull up bar, and big kid swings- while my 10month old loves the bucket swing, spinning wheel, and make-believe store- My daughter also loves the outer perimeter 'balance beam' and walking paths surrounding great parking lot (easy access & good distance spacing for safety), clean porta potty, and nice picnic table area

Ambience: Downs Park is one of those hidden gems that feels…read morelike a deep breath. It's spacious, peaceful, and full of variety. Whether you want to walk along the waterfront, sit on a bench with a view, or just let the breeze hit your face while your kids play. It has a little bit of everything. I've been here at least 5-7 times and still haven't explored it all! Playground: There's something for every age group from a sweet tot lot for the little ones to a multi-level climbing structure with twisty slides that kept my oldest busy for a while. There are swings, a merry-go-round, and plenty of open space to run around or play. Scenic Walks & Waterfront: We usually park near the visitor center (convenient and close to everything!) and stroll down to the pier or relax on the benches with that peaceful waterfront view. You'll find grassy picnic spots, a pier with folks fishing, and even a small beach and separate dog beach. The trails are partly shaded and the breeze coming off the water makes it feel extra calming. Stroller-Friendly: Yes, it's stroller-friendly! The trails are paved, but heads-up: it's not totally flat there are some hills. Still, it's very walkable and manageable with a stroller. Great for littles who need a nap or just want a ride. Extras: Bathrooms are located inside the visitor center, and there's a quiet garden area called Mary's Garden if you need a tranquil reset. I've always had friendly experiences with the park staff when entering and asking questions. Parking is $6 per car and there's usually plenty of space, especially if you don't mind walking a bit. Why I Love It: This park has become one of my go-to spots when we need a peaceful outing. Between the water views, the open space, and the mix of kid-friendly and adult-friendly features, it's just easy to love. Perfect for picnics, gentle mornings, or letting your thoughts wander while the kids play.

This dog beach is smaller than the one in Annapolis, but still is nice. I came here on Memorial Day…read moreand there was quite a lot of dogs. The dog beach rules are pretty much the same as with any other dog beach. Children under six years old must be accompanied by an adult. No human or dog food allowed on the beach. Humans aren't allowed to swim in the water. And of course, no aggressive dogs. I do wish there was a wash station either at the beach or nearby, which would be very convenient to both human and dog.