She Runs by the Seashore

I worked for Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism for several years, and as soon as I heard about the future Pirate’s Wharf Park, I wanted to run there. Now, since the park’s partial opening in fall 2023, I have been able to do that — twice so far. I’m now also part of a committee planning the first race at this park on Whitehaven Road in Quantico — the Pirate’s Wharf 5K.

Pirate’s Wharf Park is located along the Wicomico River and has plenty of open land. Trees have been planted, but it mostly has a very open look as of now. To me, the park was kind of separated into two areas — the majority of the park, and then another part that was on the other side of a tree line.

The first time I went there was on my birthday last October. At that time, the trails were not yet complete and did not fully connect, so I wanted to wait until the trails were fully open before I wrote my post. I went there again in May, and definitely plan to return to run there again.

In addition to the trails being expanded and connected by my second visit, there were also plenty of new interpretive and way-finding signs. Because it was my first time being there with the signs, the run really wasn’t very fast, as I did stop to read some of the signs (and that’s the only reason it was such a leisurely run — just kidding).

The main trail is the Bald Eagle Trail, which is about 2.1 miles. My watch tracked it as a little less, but it looked like there were a few spurs that weren’t yet complete when I visited. There are also color-coded connector trails. On my second visit, with the expanded trails, I ran four miles and made it through the main trail and all of the connectors, repeating myself some.

The trail is a crushed-stone path that is very flat, like almost everywhere in Wicomico County (except the Naylor Mill Forest Trail and a few short hills here and there around town). There are also benches along the path. The park also has a nice pavilion and a nature-themed playground.

It wasn’t busy both times I visited, perfect for enjoying the rural atmosphere. As you may be able to tell from the photos, one day I went was much brighter; the other was more overcast.

If you’d like to be part of the first race planned for this park, join the Eastern Shore Running Club for our Pirate’s Wharf 5K. I am the president of ESRC and have been working with others on the race committee. The race is Saturday, Oct. 12, at 9 a.m. and will include a beautiful course, food, drinks, a DJ, and overall and age group awards. We also plan to have a cool design for the race shirt. Interested? Learn more and sign up here.

Learn more about Pirate’s Wharf Park and see a trail map here.