| Magothy River Day |
| Sunday, June 14th |
| at the Dobbins Island Anchorage |
Presented by the
Magothy River Association
Magothy River Association
| Dobbins Events Magothy River Day is now officially June 12th to commemorate the day in 1608 that Captain John Smith sailed into the Magothy River. This year, the 401st anniversary, we will celebrate the occasion on Sunday, June 14th. MRA boats and the Band boat will converge in open water between Henderson Point and South Ferry Point at 11AM, and parade to Dobbins. All boaters are welcome to parade. All other boaters will start to gather at the Dobbins Island Anchorage around 12 Noon. At 1PM, the Nautical Wheelers, a Jimmy Buffett cover band will play an On-Water Concert lasting until 5PM. With last year's electrical problems behind us, this promises to be a rousing time. At 2PM, Magothy River Association (MRA) President, Paul Spadaro, will splash to a landing on the Dobbins Sandbar followed by a "Wade-In" water quality event open to all. We hope to set a Guinness Book World Record for Wade In's. Other environmental events are planned for Saturday and Sunday. Don't miss it!!! The Wade In The Wade In is scheduled for 2 PM. Those who wish to participate in the World Record attempt will need to use inflatables or other small boats to get to the sand bar at least 10 minutes before 2PM. If at all possible, please bring along a 3x5 card (or 3x5 piece of paper) with your name and address on it. This will be used to document the World Record attempt. Environmental Events Saturday - Stream Clean Up (Site: Pasadena - Chelsea Beach) Click below for updates and volunteer opportunities Clean Up Event Information Sunday - Underwater Grass Hunting This will begin at the Dobbins Island Anchorage at 3:30 PM. Led by Dr. Peter Bergstrom of MRA and NOAA. Canoes and Kayaks may be launched at the Gibson Island Country School, but parking on campus is limited so arrive early to drop off and be prepared for a short walk from the car. (See Directions & Parking Information Below) Click here and link to the SAV Page Underwater Grasses (SAV) Hunt Dobbins Defense Update Don't forget that the MRA continues to defend the public right to use the beach at the island. This involves the clear legal definition of the 'Mean High Tide' mark which is the line between public and private ownership along waterfront property. In a number of state's this is defined as the vegetation line, but in Maryland, it is a complicated measure of historical tides. (Law Suit Filed:Court Date expected in September, 2009) The MRA also contends that the public should retain additional rights of use under prescriptive easement law. This law creates an easement for use when an individual, or group of people, demonstrate their continual use of land in some manner without the consent of ownership. This is similar to adverse possession laws, except title to property does not change hands. (Law Suit Filed:Court Date expected in September, 2009) The possible installation of an underwater electric cable to the island is also opposed by the MRA. This could well disrupt or even eliminate the decades old anchorage. If preserved, this anchorage might yet become a stop on the "Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Water Trail". (Ownership Change probably needed) MRA also continues to pursue the purchase by government of Dobbins Island to preserve it for future generations of Marylanders. We have proposed that the waters surrounding the island be designated a Marine Preserve and Park. Please click the SAVEDOBBINS.ORG link below and sign the petition. |
Directions to: Gibson Island Country School 5191 Mountain Road Pasadena, MD 21122 |
| From Severna Park: Take Ritchie Hwy (Rt. 2) North. Turn right at Magothy Bridge Road (at Earliegh Heights Fire Dept.) and follow approximately 3 miles; turn right onto Rt. 100 East. Route 100 will merge into Mountain Road (Rt. 177). Follow Mountain Road for about 3 miles. About 1/2 mile after passing Chesapeake High School (school is on your left) Mountain road will turn to the right. [Do not go straight toward Downs Park]. After turning right, follow Mountain Road an additional 2 miles. Gibson Island Country School will be on the right, just before the Gibson Island Entrance/Guard Station. |
| Parking at Gibson Island Country School Parking is very limited on the school grounds. Just past the pickup circle at the end of the driveway, there is a small parking area. Parking is allowed on both sides of the driveway on school grounds, but please take care to not block the driveway or the circle. At larger school events parking on both sides of Mountain Road is typical. This section of Mountain Road is not particularly busy, but it is the only access to Gibson Island itself. Care should be taken when parking there to assure personal safety, and to avoid disruption of traffic, driveways, mailbox access or other aspects of personal property. |