Opening Up and Improving Accessibility to ARPOA Owned Property
for Community Use and Enjoyment – Build It and We Will Come! Annapolis Roads Historic Field – Nick Kiley, ARPOA President Annapolis Roads has owned and maintained a field adjacent to the Overlook parking lot for years. The field, positioned behind homes on the Lands End portion of the community, has views of the Chesapeake Bay. During the April 22nd volunteer effort, a wood chip path was established leading to the field from the Overlook parking lot. Eventually the field area will be delineated with split rail fencing and a bench will be installed. Additionally, the Land Use and Long-Range Planning Committees will explore a small gazebo along the wood line for quiet contemplation or a place to relax and take in the views of the Bay. ARPOA was awarded the Overlook, Mayapple Wood, community beach, and this “unnamed” field in 1987 after a lengthy 12-year legal battle to stop the construction of townhomes similar to Chesapeake Harbor on those properties. Annapolis Roads residents were able to prove that early deeds provided that Annapolis Roads was a “water access community” and to develop those properties would eliminate residents’ access to the water. ARPOA has paid to mow and maintain this gently sloping field weekly from spring to fall for decades, but which to date has not been readily accessible to residents.
The establishment of this path has been on the “to do” list for the current Board since last summer. While we don’t envision heavy or intrusive use, it is important to the Board that this ARPOA owned field is established as an amenity for residents. This property is accessible ONLY from the Overlook parking lot and path, NOT through bordering privately owned properties or driveways!! Note: Provided below is a portion of an 1894 plat that shows what the area known as “Belmont Farm” looked like at that time.
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Lisa Dosmann