Assateague Dune Realignment Proposed

ASSATEAGUE- While everything is a go for the upcoming season, Assateague State Park officials this week announced they are not accepting campsite reservations for 2015 until the final plans for a major project scheduled for next winter are finalized.

Assateague State Park is holding off on accepting reservations for the 2015 camping season until it has a more finite schedule for the proposed Dune Realignment project scheduled for next winter. The park is planning on announcing an update and designating a starting date for the project by October.

The proposed Dune Realignment Project aims to reduce future storm impacts to the park by relocating certain sites and amenities. The Maryland Park Service anticipates that most or all of the current campsites will be available for reservation at the start of the 2015 season, which begins in late April, but wants to ensure all work will be completed before booking guests.

“As a barrier island, Assateague is a dynamic system that is always on the move,” said Park Manager Angela Baldwin this week. “The Maryland Park Service is working to protect the resources of the island while still providing the best access to the park for our visitors to enjoy. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work together to get this significant project up and running.”

The proposed project would relocate the southern portion of the dune approximately 115 feet to the west while also moving many of the camping loops and pads and rerouting campground roads. The total number of campsites would remain at 350.