Hawkins Cove cleanup set

Hawkins Cove cleanup set

By KARESSA E. WEIR, Staff Writer

The open, sloping hill leading down to Spa Creek is like a half buried jewel.

The possibilities for the waterfront property peek through, but after years of neglect and abuse the land behind Harbor House in Eastport has become eroded and silt flows regularly into tiny Hawkins Cove.

Mopeds and dirt bikes have carved deep tracks into its sur face, and beer cans and empty cigarette packs litter its banks.

Owned by the Annapolis Hous ing Authority, the land has long been a dumping site.

But after she happened upon it two years ago, one Eastport resident became determined to make the hillside an asset for the residents around it and a boon to the creek's survival.

"It could be such a beautiful spot on the waterfront," said Mary Lou Pontius.

Tomorrow, Mrs. Pontius, a Sierra Club member, will be joined by a legion of volunteers partners in her determination to clean up Hawkins Cove. The project, funded by the city and a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, will be held from 9 a.m. until noon.

The project has been developed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the city of Annapolis, the Annapolis Housing Authority, the Department of Natural Resources, Bates Middle School and the Lower Western Shore Tributary Team.

"This is the biggest project I've been involved in around here," said Jennifer Hicks, habitat restoration trainer for CBF, who has been involved in planning Hawkins Cove for the last year.

"It is a beautiful spot which has not seen the most positive uses. Everyone should be able to appreciate it," she said.

They enlisted restoration specialist Rob Schnabel of Environmental Systems Analysis Inc. to design a low-maintainence, education-focused community park.

Volunteers will also lay mulch paths leading to the water tomorrow, and plant clusters of native trees. Bud Reaves, a state forester, will be on hand to oversee tree planting.

Gardens of plants designed to attract butterflies will be planted along the paths. Bushes will buffer the waterline from more erosion.

Railroad ties will criss-cross the most heavily eroded segment, providing some stability for the land's recovery.

Although no benches or picnic tables will be placed at the site, the hope is that families will use the park as a place for relaxation and education.

"Schoolchildren can use it to identify native trees and watch ducks and geese and other waterfowl," Mrs. Pontius said.

After the project is complete, it will be up to the Housing Authority to keep the preserve alive.

Bates Middle School students, who have already planted a halfdozen trees on the site, have offered to help.

And Mrs. Pontius is recruiting waterfront property owners from Spa Cove Apartments and around Spa Creek.

"The general idea is that we can do it, we can provide the big expensive landscaping. But it is terribly important that we have maintenance," she said.

All are invited to visit the tiny park and lend a hand tomorrow. For more information, call Ms. Hicks at (410) 268-8816.