Mayo Beach Park- Shoreline Planting Project

Mayo Beach Park: Shoreline Planting Project

In 2024 Mayo Beach Park completed a shoreline restoration project to maintain the sandy beaches that make the beach park a sought after swimming location; however, a portion of the shoreline project included creating a living shoreline where there once was a swimming beach. This area was at the southern most end of the beach. It sustained most wave action and erosion as the park is at the mouth of the South River along the Chesapeake Bay. It also left a platform for nesting Osprey exposed to human interaction from beach goers. To protect the Osprey and prevent further erosion, the Park Superintendent decided to turn this section into a living shoreline.

To create the shoreline, the gap between the two rocky barriers that let in water to the shoreline was reduced and native grasses, along with native bay berry bushes were planted in the sandy horseshoe shape that the rock barriers created. A fence was put up to protect the grasses, reduce movement of sand, and define the space. One year after planting, the shoreline is in excellent condition and the nesting Osprey were more than happy to find a secluded location to raise their young after their long migration from the south.