Annapolis Guide 8.30.26 - Flipbook - Page 11
Annapolis Guide | Sunday, August 30, 2026 11
FREE TIME
Bicyclists ride a portion of the 13-mile Baltimore & Annapolis Trail in Glen Burnie. BRIAN KRISTA/STAFF
NATURE GUIDE
By Sanya Wason
Anne Arundel County is home to
many parks, trails and recreation centers. Here are some of the offerings:
RECREATION CENTERS
The Arundel Olympic Swim Center
is at 2690 Riva Road in Annapolis.
Open at 6 a.m. every day, the center
features a 50-meter by 25-yard indoor
swimming pool, a poolside 17-person
spa and fully equipped locker rooms.
The Deep Run Recreation Center on
1788 Dorsey Road in Hanover offers
many programs and activities. From
musical theater and dance classes to
board game nights and STEM programs, the facility welcomes residents
of all ages. The Hanover center also
has an outdoor playground and offers
indoor rooms for rent.
The North Arundel Aquatic Center
in Glen Burnie has an eight-lane, 25yard competition pool and a zero
depth, 20-yard leisure pool. Located at
7888 Crain Highway South, the facility
features an indoor waterpark with
timed swim sessions and discounted
tickets for county residents. The center also recently unveiled a $3.6 million outdoor splash pad, which is a hybrid of a pool and an irrigation system.
Located in Brooklyn Park, the North
County Recreation Center sits at 196
Hammonds Lane, behind Brooklyn
Park Middle School. It offers multiple
programs and activities, including a
full-day preschool program.
The South County Recreation Center is in Harwood at 4510 OwensvilleSudley Road. Much like the other facilities, the South County center offers
fitness classes, an open gym, preschool
Recreation facilities, parks
in Anne Arundel County
There are many established trails
throughout Maryland, multiple of
which are located in the county.
accessible via 51 West Earleigh
Heights Road in Severna Park, is a
13.3-mile paved trail. It follows the
route of the former Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad from Dorsey Road in
Glen Burnie to Boulters Way in Annapolis.
Waterworks Park offers over 10
miles of trails and 40 acres of green
space on Defense Highway, a mile
west of the Annapolis Mall. With
benches, a gazebo and a dam, the trail
can be enjoyed as a lengthy stroll or a
relaxing day in the park.
The BWI Hiker-Biker Trail is a 12.5mile-long paved trail circling the airport. Parking is available at the Thomas A. Dixon Jr. Aircraft Observation
Area, Sawmill Creek Park and the Linthicum and Cromwell light rail stations.
Bacon Ridge in Crownsville has over
20 miles of trails. The multiuse trails
are open to hikers, mountain bikers
and leashed pets. Parking is available
at 1284 Bacon Ridge Road and near
1700 Hawkins Road.
To learn more about the parks, recreation centers, programs and trails in
the county, visit aacounty.org/recreation-parks.
Residents can also head to the Department of Recreation and Parks
website for a Park Finder tool to locate
facilities fitting their needs.
programs and more.
PARKS AND TRAILS
The Baltimore & Annapolis Trail,
