Chesapeake Gateways

Program with the US National Park Service

Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails Network

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Chesapeake Gateways (the United States)

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Location| Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Nearest city| Annapolis, Maryland
Coordinates| 37°11′31″N 76°09′08″W﻿ / ﻿37.19196°N 76.1521°W﻿ / 37.19196; -76.1521
Established| 1998
Governing body| National Park Service

The Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails Network is a partnership program of the National Park Service and a system of over 200 parks, refuges, museums, historic communities and water trails in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. As a partnership program, it is not considered a Unit of the National Park System but is managed by National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways in Annapolis, Maryland.[1][2]

Chesapeake Gateways is a system of places providing opportunities to enjoy, learn about and help conserve the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. Places and experiences in the greater Chesapeake Bay watershed are eligible to participate in the Network, including natural, cultural, historical, and recreational sites, trails, museums, parks, refuges, interpretive and orientation facilities, and associated programs. These places, and Chesapeake Gateways as a whole, serve as entry points and the key guide for experiencing the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

## History

[edit]

The Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails Network, the Chesapeake Gateways Network, was established through the authority of the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act, which was passed by the United States Congress in 1998.

Implementation of the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act began in 1999. The original Framework outlined the goals, geography, and structure of Chesapeake Gateways, setting out interpretive themes and identifying early initiatives. The first Chesapeake Gateways Places were recognized that same month. Over the next several years, Chesapeake Gateways grew rapidly to include over 160 recognized Chesapeake Gateways Places by 2005.

Chesapeake Gateways Places came together in regional workshops and annual partner meetings. A comprehensive website was launched, providing visitor information on all Chesapeake Gateways Places. A brochure was widely distributed, and various thematic interpretive products were developed. NPS Chesapeake Gateways provided members with technical and financial assistance, helping support partner work from interpretive planning to exhibits and signage to water trail development and public access site construction.

The NPS supports the Chesapeake Gateways Network through two formal annual assistance offerings. Chesapeake Gateways Grants are competitive financial assistance opportunities normally open for application in late summer, early fall each year. Through this annual opportunity, the NPS provides approximately $1 million in financial assistance. In addition, the NPS provides an annual technical assistance program. Through this offering, the NPS serves as a collaborative partner, providing professional services to help Chesapeake Gateways Places and Partners achieve their vision.

The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail were managed through the Chesapeake Gateways from their establishment through 2018-2019 when they were moved to Colonial National Historical Park and Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine respectively.

Between 2020-2024, the Chesapeake Gateways Network went through a comprehensive refresh to better address partner needs and provide the full benefit of the National Park Service's resources to the network. This refresh resulted in the Chesapeake Gateways Framework published in 2025.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Multi-State: Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network." Washington, D.C. National Park Service, retrieved online February 4, 2023.
2. ^ "Chesapeake Gateways Network." Washington, D.C. National Park Service, retrieved online February 4, 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Chesapeake Bay Office. National Park Service website.

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Protected areas of Maryland

Federal|

| National Battlefields|

* Antietam
* Monocacy

|

National Estuarine Research Reserves|

* Chesapeake Bay

National Historic Sites and Historical Parks|

* Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
* Clara Barton
* Hampton
* Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad
* Thomas Stone

National Marine Sanctuaries|

* Mallows Bay–Potomac River

National Monuments|

* Fort McHenry

Federally-administered parks|

* Catoctin Mountain
* Fort Foote
* Fort Washington
* Glen Echo
* Greenbelt
* Harmony Hall
* Oxon Cove and Oxon Hill Farm
* Piscataway

National Parkways|

* Baltimore-Washington
* Clara Barton
* Suitland

National Seashores|

* Assateague Island

National Trails|

* Appalachian
* Captain John Smith Chesapeake
* Potomac Heritage
* Star-Spangled Banner
* Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route

National Wildlife Refuges|

* Blackwater
* Eastern Neck
* Glenn Martin
* Patuxent Research
* Susquehanna River

Other|

* National Historic Landmarks
* National Natural Landmarks
* National Register of Historic Places
* Wilderness Areas

State|

| State parks|

* Assateague
* Big Run
* Bill Burton Fishing Pier
* Calvert Cliffs
* Canal Place
* Casselman River Bridge
* Chapel Point
* Cunningham Falls
* Dans Mountain
* Deep Creek Lake
* Elk Neck
* Fort Frederick
* Fort Tonoloway
* Gambrill
* Gathland
* Greenbrier
* Greenwell
* Gunpowder Falls
* Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad
* Hart-Miller Island
* Herrington Manor
* Janes Island
* Martinak
* Matapeake
* New Germany
* North Point
* Palmer
* Patapsco Valley
* Patuxent River
* Pocomoke River
* Point Lookout
* Purse
* Rocks
* Rocky Gap
* Rosaryville
* Sandy Point
* Seneca Creek
* Smallwood
* South Mountain
* St. Clement's Island
* St. Mary's River
* Susquehanna
* Swallow Falls
* Tuckahoe
* Washington Monument
* Wye Oak

|

State forests|

* Cedarville
* Chesapeake
* Doncaster
* Elk Neck
* Garrett
* Green Ridge
* Mount Nebo
* Pocomoke
* Potomac
* Savage River
* Seth
* Stoney
* Wicomico

Wildlife management
areas|

* Avondale
* Belle Grove
* Billmeyer
* Bodkin Island
* Bowen
* Cedar Island
* Cedar Point
* Cheltenham
* Chicamuxen
* Chicone Creek
* Cunningham Swamp
* Dan's Mountain
* Deal Island
* Devil Island Area
* Dierssen
* E.A. Vaughn
* Earleville
* Ellis Bay
* Fairmount
* Fishing Bay
* Fort Hill
* Globe Com
* Gravel Hill Swamp
* Grove Farm
* Gwynnbrook
* Heater's Island
* Hopkins Branch
* Hugg-Thomas
* Idylwild
* Indian Springs
* Islands of the Potomac
* Isle of Wight
* Johnson
* Kent Island Research Center
* Le Compte
* Linkwood
* Little Patuxent Oxbow
* Maryland Marine Properties
* McIntosh Run
* McKee-Beshers
* Millington
* Mt. Nebo
* Myrtle Grove
* Nanjemoy
* Nanjemoy Creek
* Nanticoke River
* Old Bohemia
* Parker's Creek
* Pocomoke River
* Pocomoke Sound
* Prather's Neck
* Ridenour Swamp
* Riverside
* Sideling Hill
* Sinepuxent Bay
* South Marsh Island
* Strider
* Tar Bay
* Taylors Island
* Warrior Mountain
* Wellington
* Wetipquin

Natural environment
areas|

* Belt Woods
* Mattawoman
* Morgan Run
* Severn Run
* Soldiers Delight
* Youghiogheny Scenic & Wild River
* Zekiah Swamp

County and
municipal|

| Parks and sanctuaries|

* Acorn
* Allen Pond
* Belmont
* Benjamin Banneker
* Blandair
* Carroll
* Centennial
* Clifton
* Constitution
* Cromwell Valley
* Cylburn Arboretum
* David Force
* Dinosaur
* Druid Hill
* Fairgrounds
* Falls Road
* Federal Hill
* Flag Ponds
* Fort Smallwood
* Foxhill
* Gene Mason
* Generals
* Gwynn Oak
* Gwynns Falls/Leakin
* Hagerstown City
* Herring Run
* Jefferson Patterson
* Jonas Green
* Jug Bay Wetlands
* Kinder Farm
* Lake Artemesia
* Lake Elkhorn
* Lake Kittamaqundi
* Lake Roland
* Lakelands
* Liberty Reservoir
* Loch Raven
* Middle Patuxent
* Oregon Ridge
* Patterson
* Pen Mar
* Prettyboy Reservoir
* Quiet Waters
* Riverside
* Rockburn Branch
* Sligo Creek
* Symphony Woods
* Thomas A. Dixon Jr. Aircraft Observation Area
* Troy
* Wheaton
* Wilde Lake
* Wyman

|

Non-
governmental|

| Parks and sanctuaries|

* Battle Creek Cypress Swamp
* Conservation and Environmental Research Areas of UMBC
* Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary and Visitor's Center
* Mount Pleasant Farm Center
* Sherwood Gardens
* Somers Cove Marina
* Sugarloaf Mountain
* University of Maryland Arboretum & Botanical Garden
* Western Maryland Rail Trail
* Youghiogheny Scenic & Wild River

|

Nature centers|

* List

* Maryland Department of Natural Resources
* Maryland Forest Service
* Maryland Park Service

* v
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* e

Protected areas of Virginia

Federal|

| National Battlefields, Battlefield Parks, and Military Parks|

* Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania
* Manassas
* Petersburg
* Richmond

|

National Estuarine Research Reserves|

* Chesapeake Bay

National Forests|

* George Washington and Jefferson

National Historic Sites and Historical Parks|

* Appomattox Court House
* Cedar Creek and Belle Grove
* Colonial
* Cumberland Gap
* Harpers Ferry
* Maggie L. Walker

National Memorials|

* Arlington House
* Red Hill Patrick Henry

National Monuments|

* Booker T. Washington
* Fort Monroe
* George Washington Birthplace

National Parks|

* Shenandoah

National Parkways|

* Blue Ridge
* Colonial
* George Washington Memorial
* Skyline

National Recreation Areas|

* Mount Rogers

National Seashores|

* Assateague Island

National Trails|

* Appalachian
* Captain John Smith Chesapeake
* Lewis and Clark
* Overmountain Victory
* Potomac Heritage
* Star-Spangled Banner
* Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route

National Wildlife Refuges|

* Back Bay
* Chincoteague
* Eastern Shore of Virginia
* Mason Neck
* Featherstone
* Fisherman Island
* Glenn Martin
* Great Dismal Swamp
* James River
* Nansemond
* Occoquan Bay
* Plum Tree Island
* Presquile
* Rappahannock River Valley
* Wallops Island

Federally-administered|

* Prince William Forest Park
* Wolf Trap Performing Arts

Other|

* National Historic Landmarks
* National Natural Landmarks
* National Register of Historic Places
* Wilderness Areas

State|

| State parks|

* Bear Creek Lake
* Belle Isle
* Breaks Interstate
* Caledon
* Chippokes
* Claytor Lake
* Clinch River
* Culpeper Battlefields
* Douthat
* Fairy Stone
* False Cape
* First Landing
* Grayson Highlands
* High Bridge Trail
* Holliday Lake
* Hungry Mother
* James River
* Kiptopeke
* Lake Anna
* Leesylvania
* Machicomoco
* Mason Neck
* Mayo River
* Middle Peninsula
* Natural Bridge
* Natural Tunnel
* New River Trail
* Occoneechee
* Pocahontas
* Powhatan
* Sailor's Creek Battlefield
* Seven Bends
* Shot Tower
* Shenandoah River
* Sky Meadows
* Smith Mountain Lake
* Southwest Virginia Museum
* Staunton River
* Staunton River Battlefield
* Sweet Run
* Tabb Monument
* Twin Lakes
* Westmoreland
* Widewater
* Wilderness Road
* York River

|

State forests|

* Appomattox-Buckingham
* Big Woods
* Bourassa
* Browne
* Channels
* Charlotte
* Chesterfield
* Chilton Woods
* Conway Robinson
* Crawfords
* Cumberland
* Devil's Backbone
* Dragon Run
* First Mountain
* Hawks
* Lesesne
* Matthews
* Moore's Creek
* Niday Place
* Old Flat
* Paul
* Prince Edward-Gallion
* Sandy Point
* South Quay
* Whitney
* Zoar

Natural Area
Preserves|

* Antioch Pines
* Bald Knob
* Bethel Beach
* Big Spring Bog
* Blackwater
* Buffalo Mountain
* Bull Run Mountains
* Bush Mill Stream
* Camp Branch Wetlands
* Cape Charles Coastal Habitat
* Cave Hill
* The Cedars
* The Channels
* Cherry Orchard Bog
* Chestnut Creek Wetlands
* Chestnut Ridge
* Chotank Creek
* Chub Sandhill
* Cleveland Barrens
* Clover Hollow
* Cowbane Prairie
* Crawford's Knob
* Crow's Nest
* Cumberland Marsh
* Dameron Marsh
* Deep Run Ponds
* Dendron Swamp
* Difficult Creek
* Elklick Woodlands
* False Cape
* Folly Mills Creek Fen
* Goshen Pass
* Grafton Ponds
* Grassy Hill
* Grayson Glades
* Hickory Hollow
* Hughlett Point
* Johnsons Creek
* Lyndhurst Ponds
* Magothy Bay
* Mark's and Jack's Island
* Mount Joy Pond
* Mutton Hunk Fen
* Naked Mountain
* New Point Comfort
* North Landing River
* Northwest River
* Ogdens Cave
* Parkers Marsh
* Parramore Island
* Pedlar Hills Glades
* Piney Grove Flatwoods
* Pinnacle
* Poor Mountain
* Redrock Mountain
* Savage Neck Dunes
* Unthanks Cave
* William B. Trower Bayshore
* Wreck Island

Wildlife
Management Areas|

* Amelia
* Big Survey
* Big Woods
* Briery Creek
* Chester F. Phelps
* Cavalier
* Chickahominy
* Clinch Mountain
* Crooked Creek
* Dick Cross
* Doe Creek
* Fairystone Farms
* Featherfin
* G. Richard Thompson
* Game Farm Marsh
* Goshen and Little North Mountain
* Hardware River
* Havens
* Hidden Valley
* Highland
* Hog Island
* Horsepen Lake
* James River
* Land's End
* Mattaponi
* Mattaponi Bluffs
* Merrimac Farm
* Mockhorn Island
* Oakley Forest
* Pettigrew
* Powhatan
* Princess Anne
* Ragged Island
* Rapidan
* Robert W. Duncan
* Saxis
* Short Hills
* Smith Mountain Cooperative
* Stewarts Creek
* T. M. Gathright
* Turkeycock
* Ware Creek
* Weston
* White Oak Mountain

Other|

| Registered Historic
Places in Virginia|

* Virginia Landmarks Register
* Bridges

|

* Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
* Virginia Department of Forestry
* Virginia Department of Historic Resources
* Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* FAST

National|

* United States

Other|

* Yale LUX

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