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townsends rock run landing - Port Deposit

10K views 21 replies 14 participants last post by  chugbugger  
#1 ·
What's the story on townsends rock run landing in Port Deposit? Phone's disconnected; web site gone. Closed? Thanks.
 
#3 ·
http://www.cecilwhig.com/business/article_50e24a48-609d-11e0-af0d-001cc4c002e0.html

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Improvements made at Rock Run Park

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ROCK RUN PARK

CECIL WHIG PHOTO BY MATT GIVEN
ROCK RUN PARK

A view of the Rock Run Park Wednesday in Port Deposit. More of the Susquehanna River is now available for recreation thanks to changes made at the park.
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Town Administrator Erika Quesenbery.

(Exelon Generation has) done extensive cleanup work back there. It's a beautiful park and a beautiful facility. A lot of people use it for fishing from the shore, or to launch a boat."

Posted: Thursday, April 7, 2011 2:15 am | Updated: 8:33 am, Thu Apr 7, 2011.

By Jane Bellmyer jbellmyer@cecilwhig.com | 2 comments

More of the Susquehanna River is now available for recreation thanks to changes made at Rock Run Park in Port Deposit, officials at Exelon Generation said.

Bob Judge, spokesman for the utility that owns and operates the Conowingo Dam, said the park was recently cleaned and cleared.

"There's no more marina and the cottages are gone," Judge said.

Formerly Townsend Marina, the entire property now is accessible, Judge said.

"There's a launch for small boats on trailers, canoes or kayaks," he said.

It's also a great spot for fishing from the shore or on a boat.

"It's a nice little cove," he added.

Judge said that a couple of acres near the town's water treatment plant are part of the dam property.

"It's the tip of our necessary land right behind the railroad tracks," he said.

Town officials were happy with the work done so far.

"(Exelon Generation has) done extensive cleanup work back there," said Town Administrator Erika Quesenbery.

Quesenbery said Port Deposit shares in the utility's excitement.

"It's a beautiful park and a beautiful facility. A lot of people use it for fishing from the shore, or to launch a boat," she said.

Taking it one step further, Judge is planning meetings to get public input on what other amenities could be added to Rock Run Park.

"We want to bring it to the community, let them have a say," he said. "We also want to work with the town parks and recreation and the chamber of commerce and find out what they want."

Quesenbery said she will meet soon with officials from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to get suggestions for the park, and ideas for possible grants.

"I want to see what is available. They have some innovative thinking. They also have the expertise," she said.

Judge said the dock would likely be the next project, as some of the planks need to be replaced.

One other change coming would be the addition of a gate. He said the gate would be opened from sun-up to sunset for access like any other park facility.

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Posted in Business, Local news on Thursday, April 7, 2011 2:15 am. Updated: 8:33 am. | Tags: Cecil County, Port Deposit, Susquehanna River
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2 comments:

jim dandy posted at 12:53 pm on Mon, Apr 25, 2011.
jim dandy Posts: 2

That place used to be so filthy. It looks so much better now. No trailers or trash.
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jim dandy posted at 12:51 pm on Mon, Apr 25, 2011.
jim dandy Posts: 2

What happened 'where did all the people go that where there?
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#6 ·
I was a resident of Rock Run Landing for 25yrs. THe landing was built in the 1930's so men working on the Conawingo Dam would have a fishing camp to fish for catfish. In the 70's Mr. Spangler purchased the landing . Then in 1983 Joe Townsend brought it, he had one of his sons Mike run the place. There was even a boat called the Susquahanna Skiff made out of Mahogany by Tom Hartenstein of Have De Grace made to run up the river. Only 8 were made and I still have and use mine. It was not uncommon during this time to see fishermen such as Bill Burton or Lefty Crae launching from Rock Rock . Bill even did a article for the Baltomore Sun about the fishing at Rock Run. We were always told by Excellon that we could stay there for therest of our lives. Then Mike died on 6/28/08 and Joe passed on 3/10/10 at the age of 95 ! Excellon would not transfer the lease after Joe's passing. So in May of 2010 we were told the all of our cottages and campers were to be moved out by November 30 2010 ! The land was posted in Jan Feb and March of this year then open for the public in April so enjoy this one of a kind place while you can . Long live the SPIRT of Rock Run Landing Fred
 
#7 ·
Fred knows what he's talking about.
Some of you might not know that the land was always owned by Excellon(Phila. Electric)The comment about the place being messy was accurate, but no one could spend any money there with what amounted to a year to year lease from the Electric company.
The concern to those who knew the area is that the wrong element will infest the place now that Mike is gone.Mike and his Nephew David fought a few battles to keep the rif raf at bay, now there is no one.
I can envision the local "sportsmen" down there on the bank in the spring just fishin for "catfish" with surf rods and live herring !!
I'll hope for the best,but I don't think you will ever see me there again. I'd be too concerned about my vehicle while I was out on the river now that Mike is gone.
Rest in peace Mike and Joe, glad they didn't have to see this happen.
Ps, if anyone ever sees that wooden Titanic down on the river, stay way back- it must be Fred !
Wen
 
#11 ·
Fred my father (maybebaby) also owns one of the 8 skiffs your refering to. I believe he bought it from hershy ( also made the best bucktails anywhere, perfect hair) Rock run was the first place I ever went fishing and I was in the boat at 6 weeks. Many a late night talk with mark smith and larry walter. The river can be magical. What happened to his sons mikie and Joe Joe. It is a shame about the element that moved in. Any plans on relpacing that rickety bridge?
 
#12 ·
Hey fisheyed
I believe I met your dad a few years at RR. Mikie and Jo Jo moved to Montana a few years ago and brought a auto junk yard we still keep in touch. I have some of the bucktails you are refering to I use to troll the with small ells that Mark Smith used to get from the dam when he worked there. Mark is STILL at RR almost every evening for "cocktail hour " stop by. The dam had plans to replace the bridge last Aug but we held them off till we could get our trailers out. I actually have a picture of Hersey Sr. going out of RR in his skiff it was taken by Bill Burton for his article and given to Hersey it hangs in my den
 
#16 ·
God speed Mike and Joe. I used to spend alot of time at Rock Run. I used to canoe down from the Dam and Joe would drive me back to my truck. The ride back was more exciting than the Canoe Trip. LOL. You knew you had a nice fish when the picnic table emptied to come down and witness the catch. Great Memories.
 
#17 ·
I had alot of good memories from that place and got to know some really nice people down their along with Mr.. Spangler, Old Joe, the Hershes, Earl Ashenfelter, The preacher ,Marty Ginder, Fred,. and many others over the years back to early 70,s.The place was going down hill recently after Mike died, so I gess it needed to be.I will miss it. AL