Quiet Waters Park

It staggers the imagination to think that a little more than 20 years ago, the idea of saving a pristine neck of land on the South River and remaking it into a showplace public park would have been controversial. Now, two decades after Quiet Waters Park made its debut, the proof is that it attracts 700,000 visitors a year. The claims that it would bring noisy crowds, harm the environment and be too extravagant have evaporated. It's established itself as a beloved haven of sanctuary and sanity for its patrons, who praise its paths, forested groves, tucked-away gardens and water views.

A life-size portrait of a stunning woman, an image of an elderly man and paintings of an Asian warrior in full regalia are among the varying stages of life portrayed in the gallery at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. The Maryland Society of Portrait Painters has filled the Willow Gallery this spring with more than 70 expressions that its members have captured in multiple media The show, which is free and open daily during park hours, highlights the work of the society's members, some still honing their art and others well established.

Watermelon rinds, coffee grounds, grass clippings and leaves are decomposing in compost heaps, hoops, bins and barrels in Quiet Waters Park's new backyard composting demonstration project."

Dr. Richard Ruggiero, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will make a presentation at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Blue Heron Room at Quiet Waters Park on "The fight to save African elephants, rhinos, hippos, chimpanzees and gorillas: The amazing story of a U.S. biologist's quest to preserve Africa's wildlife. " Before that, he caught up to answer five questions about the topic. Let's start with the question you will pose: is it possible to save that part of the world?

Visitors who come to Quiet Waters Park just south of Annapolis expect to see the lush wetlands, colorful wild birds and shady woods.But in the coming year, they will see some unexpected sights as well -- a whimsical cat's cradle dangling from the trees, logs that resemble a Stonehenge-like table, wooden pieces that look like upside-down boats.The structures will be placed in the park during the next several weeks as part of a year-long modern sculpture exhibition sponsored by Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts and the Friends of Quiet Waters Park.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks has closed the Quiet Waters Park ice rink for the rest of the season due to mechanical problems.Those with skating passbooks should present them to the park's visitors center for refunds. The county will pay $3.25 for each unused coupon. Visitors center hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.Information: 222-1777.Eastport Terrace fire destroys an apartmentA two-alarm fire destroyed one apartment and caused smoke damage to two others in the Eastport Terrace complex yesterday afternoon, fire officials said.

Quiet Waters Park in Hillsmere will have an Earth Day celebration this weekend, with a park open house on Saturday (no entrance fee), with hands-on activities for children, environmental exhibits, a high-quality yard sale of "recycled treasures," and a concert.On Sunday, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom host Jim Fowler will present "Birds of Prey" and "Animals of the Rain Forest." There also will be a 5K run and an art reception.For further information and schedule details, call the park, 222-1777.

The county has filed a $4 million suit against the designer, builder and insurer of the Quiet Waters Park ice-skating rink, claiming shoddy work has kept residents from using the rink for almost two years.The suit seeks $2 million from Greenman Pedersen Inc., the county's New York-based architectural consultant; $1.5 million from C. W. Davis Supply, the rink builder; and $500,000 from Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Co., which insured the project.The suit, filed late Wednesday in Anne Arundel Circuit Court, alleges that Davis breached its $915,000 contract because it failed to build an operable rink.

CALL THEM the poo-bahs of the paintbrush, 10 Anne Arundel County women are again exhibiting paintings in the visitors center at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis.The show is the second for the informal club for female painters."These are very ambitious works," said Marianna Murphy, one of the artists who helped organize the show. She said the number of large abstract works made it difficult to hang the display but that she is happy with the results.Exhibitors at this show are:Murphy, who bases her oil painting on her experiences living in Italy.

County officials and a contractor are still trying to decide what is causing pipes under the ice skating rink at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis to corrode and leak.In the meantime, the county is taking steps to ensure that repairs will be made and skaters will not be iceless next winter.The rink, which attracts as many as 1,000 people a day during the holidays, was ordered closed in December, less than a week after the skating season began.Several leaks were detected in the nearly two miles of pipes embedded an inch under the pond's concrete foundation that carry pressurized Freon to chill the ice. The leaks dropped the pressure of the refrigerant and kept it from flowing safely in the pipes.

It staggers the imagination to think that a little more than 20 years ago, the idea of saving a pristine neck of land on the South River and remaking it into a showplace public park would have been controversial. Now, two decades after Quiet Waters Park made its debut, the proof is that it attracts 700,000 visitors a year. The claims that it would bring noisy crowds, harm the environment and be too extravagant have evaporated. It's established itself as a beloved haven of sanctuary and sanity for its patrons, who praise its paths, forested groves, tucked-away gardens and water views.

Sunday, Aug. 1 'The Fantasticks' This musical romantic play is presented by the Children's Theatre of Annapolis at 2 p.m. at 1661 Bay Head Road, Annapolis. Additional performances will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, Thursday, Aug. 5, Friday, Aug. 6, and Saturday, Aug. 7. Tickets are $25-$35. Showtimes and information: 410-757-2281 or childrenstheatreofannapolis.org. 'Living Lawnmowers' Watch a herd of 40 goats return to Hancock's Resolution Park to graze in the forest, eating invasive vines and giving native seedlings a chance to take root, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Take a free tour of the historic farmhouse on the property.

Shawn J. Walker writes: I have three young kids (6, 3, and 1) so I don't think I can commit to the Park Quest challenge over a seven-day period, as you did. But I really want to take my two older boys and do exactly what Kendall Morton and his children were doing — paddling at Tuckahoe State Park — when you met up with them. Is that park far from Millersville? Can I rent a safe, stable kayak and go down a very calm stream anywhere close to Millersville? Outdoors Girl responds: It takes about an hour to get from Millersville to Tuckahoe State Park in Caroline County on the Eastern Shore.

When he left for college nine years ago, Tim McFadden had little clue as to his future — just a vague plan to study business, work in an office someday and eventually make enough money to raise a family. Today, he stands below the most striking attraction of his first-ever art show — a multicolored, 200-pound chandelier that looks as elegant as a floral bouquet, as wild as a beast with a thousand arms — and contemplates how, at 26, he has become one of the few people in the United States, let alone greater Baltimore, who make their living blowing glass.

The Annapolis Rotary Club and Annapolis Rotaract Club's "Moving Around the World Race 5K Run and Walk" will be held Saturday at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with a 10 a.m. start. Cost is $25 in advance, $30 the day of the event. Proceeds benefit international Rotary projects. Information: 410-757-8140, 410-280-5494 or go to movingaroundtheworldrun.com.