Kamenetz Encourages County Residents to take a Beach Break
Towson, Md (June 1, 2011) – County Executive Kevin Kamenetz held a press conference this morning to promote summer tourism in Baltimore County. The main theme of this summer’s promotion is Beach Break- Be there, 30 Minutes or Less. As part of the tourism marketing campaign, the County is producing a series of commercials that will appear on BCTV Channel 25 on both Comcast and Verizon as well as on Facebook and YouTube. All of the events will also be featured on the County’s Tourism website at EnjoyBaltimoreCounty.com. The initial thirty-second commercial features the County Executive plunging head first into the Chesapeake Bay at Baltimore County’s Miami Beach after being convinced that it was time for a Beach Break!
“We had a great time getting ready for this promotion,” said Kamenetz. “With the price of gas today and families having to find ways to stretch a dollar to have fun closer to home, encouraging everyone in the region to visit the five beaches in the County just made sense. Individuals can literally be on a beach within thirty minutes from wherever they live in Baltimore County.” During the announcement Kamenetz and Councilwoman Cathy Bevins joined students from Chase Elementary School in a hula hoop contest on the beach. The County was happy to report that no injuries were reported.
Summer is a great time to experience Baltimore County's waterfront at its best. With over 200 miles of shoreline, over 70 marinas, waterfront golfing and dining, the County offers great amenities close to home. Whether residents live in Woodlawn, Monkton, or Middle River, a refreshing dip in the water on a hot summer day is never more than 30 minutes or less away at three County beaches located at Rocky Point, Oregon Ridge, and Miami Beach in Bowley’s Quarters. Baltimore County is also home to two State beaches located at Gunpowder Falls Beach at Hammerman and North Point State Park Beach. To help families make the most of their Staycations, the Department of Recreation and Parks is announcing that children 11 and under are now free at County beaches. State beaches provide a reasonable admission rate of $4/person.
Baltimore County has 26 waterfront parks, encompassing over 10 miles of shoreline with amenities that include seven boat ramps with access the Chesapeake Bay, 14 fishing piers, walking paths and trails, picnic facilities, playgrounds, ball fields, sand volleyball courts and beaches. One of the waterfront parks is on the grounds of the Marshy Point Nature Center, Baltimore County's pristine waterfront nature center. Located on the Dundee and Saltpeter Creeks, the 400-acre park encompasses a mixture of wetlands and woodlands. Guided canoe trips are offered to explore the coastal forests, marshes and shallow waters of Dundee and Saltpeter Creeks, and a variety of programs and special events class="normal1" are available for all ages.
One of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries is to get in and on the water. Ultimate Watersports, at Gunpowder State Park, is the largest water sports facility on the Chesapeake Bay and offers kayaking, sailing and windsurfing for both novices and experienced water enthusiasts. Sailors of all skill levels can enjoy the Baltimore Sailing Center at Rocky Point Beach. The center has a fleet of over 50 sailboats and provides a wide range of sailing and waterfront programs including individual and group lessons and summer camps.
Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy an abundance of fishing opportunities along the Chesapeake Bay without leaving Baltimore County. The Big Gunpowder River is nationally renowned for outstanding fly fishing. "The Loch Raven Fishing Center, located on the shores of Loch Raven Reservoir, offers an assortment of services for anglers, canoeists, boating enthusiasts who want to get away for the day in the peaceful, beautifully wooded scenery. Anglers can test their skills against a variety of fish including large and small mouth bass, yellow perch and northern pike. Rent a boat and enjoy a relaxing day on the 2,400 acre reservoir. The fishing center provides numerous services, offering boat rentals, freshwater fishing licenses, bait and launch permits.
Baltimore County's local waterways offer boaters many spots to anchor and take in the sights and sounds of nature. There are over 70 marinas in the County to provide boaters with a variety of services and amenities. The members of the Marine Trades Association of Baltimore County are very active in the community and will once again be sponsoring their annual July 4th fireworks extravaganza, which has grown into one of the area’s best holiday celebrations on the Chesapeake Bay. This year's display will be on Saturday, July 2 on the Middle River in front of Eastern Yacht Club.
Those who don't own a boat but enjoy being on the water are invited to take a cruise on the Middle River Water Taxi featuring special events, such as a Sunset Music Cruise and River Crawls.
“There is just so much to do in Baltimore County that there really is no reason to leave town,” said Hal Ashman, owner of Ultimate Water Sports and Chair of the Baltimore County’s Tourism Advisory Board. “When locals learn about all the beaches and water sports available in Baltimore County, they can’t believe what they’ve been missing. This is a very exciting promotion, and I hope that individuals will bring family, friends and relatives with them to enjoy a greater Baltimore County.”
“As someone who has taken advantage of Baltimore County’s waterfront for years, I am delighted that the County is making an effort to spread the word,” said Baltimore County Council Chair John Olszewski, Sr. “I really do encourage people to share this great story with friends and relatives this summer. As they used to say on the Price is Right, ‘Come on Down.’”
“I am thrilled that the County’s Office of Tourism is making our beaches the centerpiece of its summer promotion,” said 6th District Councilwoman Cathy Bevins. “When you are in one of the County’s many waterfront attractions, you literally feel as if you are in another world miles away. It’s the best blood pressure medicine going.”
There are many waterfront restaurants and five outstanding golf courses available in Baltimore County including Rocky Point, one of the most scenic golf courses in the United States featuring breathtaking waterfront views.
Baltimore County will post regular updates of tourism activities, including information on beaches, parks, water recreation and more, at http://www.EnjoyBaltimoreCounty.com. Each of the promotional videos will also be available on that site, as well at http://www.youtube.com/baltimorecounty and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/baltimorecounty. Individuals may also pick up bookmarks with details regarding County beaches at all of the Baltimore County libraries or check one of the many Beach Break posters located at recreation and park facilities, libraries, and businesses across the County.
“We have a great County, and many people simply just aren’t aware of all the fun things there are to do,” said Kamenetz. “We have to do all that we can to promote the variety of activities that people can reach using about a gallon of gas. It really is a terrific bargain.”
News Coverage
ABC 2 - May 30, 2011
The Baltimore Sun - June 1, 2011
ABC 2 - June 1, 2011
Catonsville Patch - June 1, 2011
WBAL - June 1, 2011
WJZ - June 1, 2011
ABC 2 - June 1, 2011
