The original land deed of Holly Beach Farm in Annapolis, MD by William and Thomas Cole is dated 1664 and includes 50 acres of land at the end of the point. Multiple generations of the Labrot family ownership led to the present-day division of Holly Beach Farm into subdivided parcels and the largest culturally relevant imprint on the land.

Existing Conditions and Site Analysis

Existing Ownership, Structures & Roads

The site has one main private and shared internal road (Holly Beach Farm Road), several internal mowed farm roads, multiple 1920s buildings in disrepair, old fields, fences, both young and relatively mature hardwood forests, tidal marshes, and a few sand beaches.

Existing Site Ecologies & Habitats

Mature mixed oak forest, disturbed mixed hardwood forest, emergent forest, tidal marsh, and non-tidal wetlands habitat types are found on the property. Old fields that have planted or naturally regenerated young trees also exist on site. Over 250 plant species were documented on the site.

Existing Site Topography

The highest point is Hackett Point, which is 22 feet above sea level. The property is among the lowest in Anne Arundel County and is susceptible to flooding. It has been designated as a Resource Conservation Area for zoning purposes.

Constraints & Vulnerabilities

The property is exposed to Chesapeake Bay storms and threatened by erosion. Invasive plant species dominate large areas of the property and threaten native biodiversity. Existing buildings, farm structures, and docks are in significant disrepair and will require extensive renovations.

Opportunities

The property retains historic farmstead buildings, fields, allées, forested stands, historic farmland, and viewsheds that meld rich natural resources with 350 years of cultural use. This combination of site resources provides opportunities for education, recreation, improved health through access to nature, and an expansion of biodiverse habitats for native flora and fauna.

Master Plan

Climate Change & Coastal Resiliency PLan

Projected inundation caused by the rise in sea level will dramatically impact the landscape. The design focuses on developing shoreline stabilization via dynamic living shorelines. Oyster aquaculture and restored existing shoreline structures will help the 5 miles of sensitive shoreline across the site.

Ecological Restoration PLan

As part of the educational efforts, an area of the site will be segmented and planted to show serial succession in phases. From a central observation deck, an observer will see a “wheel of succession,” a series of transitory plant communities that develop during ecological succession from fallow ground to mature woodlands.

Overall Site Plan

The goal of the master plan was to collaborate with site stakeholders to create an environmentally and culturally sensitive vision of how this site works. The proposed master plan comprises a network of paths that introduce users to ecological study plots, reforestation zones, living shorelines, and restored historic structures.

Site Design

The primary access point for Holly Beach Farm is by boat, located at the proposed dock. Proposed site paths pull visitors to the periphery of sensitive site ecosystems so that students can study these essential habitats.

As part of the educational efforts, we plan to establish a demonstration planting segmented to show the serial succession in phases. From a central observation deck, an observer will see a “wheel of succession,” a series of transitory plant communities that develop during ecological succession.

The vehicular access to the site from Skidmore Road via Highway 301 is a secondary entrance. Staff at the gatehouse will regulate the number of visitors to prevent the site’s ecosystems from being overburdened by too many vehicles and parking.

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