Land Saved from Development Becomes Community Garden
Edgewater Farm Donated to Chesapeake Conservancy Is Now Anne Arundel County’s McNew Community Gardens
Edgewater, MD – Thanks to the generosity of a conservation-minded landowner, a 5.6-acre farm once zoned for development as an assisted living complex has been transformed into a community garden accessible by public transit.
Photo by Jody Couser
In 2019, the McNew family donated this property through Chesapeake Conservancy's Giftlands program, ensuring the permanent conservation of their family farm in the highly developed Rt. 2 corridor in Edgewater near the South River. This area was once predominantly farmland but is now quite developed.
The McNew Community Gardens is now owned by Anne Arundel County and will be administered by Grow Annapolis, a nonprofit volunteer organization whose mission, since its founding 14 years ago, is to foster and sustain local community gardens.
On November 26, 2024, Anne Arundel County, Chesapeake Conservancy and Grow Annapolis celebrated with a ribbon cutting at the new McNew Community Gardens, 2672 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, Maryland.
“Demand for community garden space in our county far exceeds the supply,” said Anne Arundel County Executive Pittman. “This partnership with Grow Annapolis, thanks to the conservation efforts of Chesapeake Conservancy and the McNew family, and persistent work by our team at Recreation and Parks, will allow more of our residents to engage in the fulfilling and healthful act of growing food, and they’ll be doing it at a location that is accessible by both car and transit from Edgewater and Annapolis.”
The McNew Community Gardens will provide much-needed green space for people to grow fresh, healthy food and enjoy nature in an increasingly developed area," said Maryland Senator Sarah Elfreth. "One of the things that makes this community garden so special is that it can be reached by public transportation."
“Thank you to the McNew family as well as Joel Dunn from the Chesapeake Conservancy for creating an outdoor space for our community. County residents will enjoy this gift now and for generations to come,” said Anne Arundel County Council Member Lisa Rodvien.
“To protect biodiversity, the world’s leading scientists have called for the protection of 30% of the Earth’s lands and waters by 2030. Success will be realized one parcel at a time and through conservation heroes like J. Kent McNew, who chose conservation for the future of his family’s farm, and through partnerships such as this one between Anne Arundel County, Chesapeake Conservancy and Grow Annapolis,” said Chesapeake Conservancy President and CEO Joel Dunn who, after 14 years with the nonprofit, announced his departure at the end of the year to join Campaign for Nature.
“Through our partnership with Chesapeake Conservancy, we are not just enhancing the beauty and sustainability of our community gardens; we are cultivating an environment where nature and community flourish side by side," said Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks Director Jessica Leys. "McNew Community Gardens stands as a testament to our shared dedication to preserving green spaces for future generations while nurturing a sense of belonging and stewardship among our residents."
Director Leys further expressed her gratitude, saying, "We extend our sincere thanks to Chesapeake Conservancy President and CEO Joel Dunn for his exceptional leadership and invaluable contributions over the years, and we wish him continued success in the exciting next chapter of his accomplished career.”
“The idea to put conservation easements on the property to prevent further development was to create a lasting habitat for all things wild,” said J. Kent McNew, the conservation-minded owner of the farm. “The County gardens are a great idea, and priority should be given to those most vulnerable in our society that need fresh vegetables."
