Bayside Picnic and Parking Area Relocation Environmental Assessment

Assateague Island National Seashore is planning for a more resilient Bayside Picnic and Parking Area. The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an environmental assessment (EA) in support of the proposed Bayside Picnic Parking Area Relocation project for Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland. The purpose of the proposed project is to relocate the Bayside Picnic and Parking Area to a location that is less susceptible to damage from future storm events and that will provide long-term visitor access to this area of the national seashore. The NPS believes that the proposed project is needed because the existing shoreline and beach are susceptible to shoreline erosion that may not be repairable. In addition, the necessary clean up and repair to the parking area required after reoccurring storm events places an unsustainable burden on park operations. Prolonged parking area closures associated with storm damage limit the national seashore's ability to provide high quality resource-based recreational opportunities to the public. Therefore, the NPS is evaluating opportunities for relocating the picnic and parking area.

"We really want to work with the public to understand what they value about Bayside peninsula," noted park Superintendent Debbie Darden. "We hope the public will tell us what they feel would make a great location for a new Bayside Picnic and Parking Area."

The new plan, the Bayside Picnic and Parking Area Relocation Environmental Assessment, will look at a broad range of alternatives. "Nothing is off the table. We'd like to hear as many ideas as we can for making this important park day-use area more functional and less susceptible to damage from erosion while safeguarding bird and animal habitat," added Darden.

Contact Information

Assateague Island National Seashore
ATTN: Bayside Picnic Parking Area Relocation EA Comments
7206 National Seashore Lane
Berlin, MD 21811