Fort Smallwood Park has been recognized as one of the best-restored shorelines in the country by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association.

The 90-acre public park in Pasadena completed a major shoreline renovation in 2022, which included planting marshes, bringing in fresh sand and placing stone revetment to prevent erosion, among other improvements to its nearly 1-mile shoreline.

“We’re all very honored to be recognized by a national award,” said Anna Johnson, coastal engineer at BayLand Consultants & Designers, the lead designer on the project. “Receiving this award is testament to how committed the county is to protecting and restoring its shorelines, and how the county leadership is prioritizing projects that focus on coastal resiliency, public use and recreation, water quality, and habitat uplift.”

ASBPA says the project reached its goals of increasing resiliency, recreation, and environmental uplift, making it “one of the best restored shores in the U.S.”

The Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks is currently undertaking other projects at the park, including constructing a new maintenance building, concession stand, and restrooms, according to their website.

This is the second time a Maryland project has received this award, which is now in its sixth year. Last year, the Severn River’s Kyle Point Living Shoreline Project, organized by local property owners, was recognized for enhancing habitats and water access for animals by implementing nature-based techniques including tidal marsh, beach strand and submerged aquatic vegetation

The Fort Smallwood project was one of three shoreline projects to receive this year’s award. Johnson will present the project at the ASBPA National Coastal Conference in August.