This article was originally written by Laura Scharle (Creator of Delmarva Trails & Waterways) for the Delmarva Courier newspaper.
The name “Pirates Wharf” conjures up visions of a pirate-themed amusement park, but Pirates Wharf Park in Wicomico County is far from an “Arrrgh”-filled tourist trap. In fact, nobody really quite knows where the name Pirates Wharf came from. The land on which it was built is right on the Wicomico River and appeared under that name on a map in the 1940s.
The park is managed by the county and its grand opening was only about a year ago. It is a gem on the lower shore and making the trek over to the area of Quantico on the Wicomico River will not disappoint. The park features a playground, restrooms, a picnic pavilion, and just over 2 miles of ADA-accessible walking trails. The largest walking trail loop is about 1.8 miles, with several connector trails allowing for visitors to walk shorter loops. The trail system is constructed entirely with a crushed stone surface and the terrain is very flat, making it suitable for strollers, bikes, and wheelchairs. There is no shade across the entire trail system, so bringing sun protection is a must. The trails are also dotted with benches, trail markers, and educational panels that interpret the history of the land. Visitors can learn about everything from native tribes of Delmarva, African American history on the eastern shore, English settlement in the area, and information on the cemetery located near the river.
While most of the park’s amenities are open to the public, some are still under construction. Currently, there is no access to the water, but that will soon change. When the park is completely finished, there will be a boat ramp, soft launch, and fishing pier. This is a big deal as there is currently no public access to the Wicomico River between Pemberton Park in Salisbury and the kayak launch at the end of Clara Road in Nanticoke. That’s over 14 miles of river that is currently inaccessible to most people. Luckily, Pirates Wharf Park is located smack dab in the middle, about 7 miles upriver from Clara Road and 7 miles downriver from Pemberton Park.
Visiting Pirates Wharf this time of year can be gorgeous. The heat of the summer is (hopefully) behind us and the meadows surrounding the walking trails are abuzz with singing grasshoppers and migrating butterflies. Another thing to keep an eye out for is boat traffic. From time to time there are some huge barges and tugboats that travel up and down the river between downtown Salisbury and the Chesapeake Bay.
If the river itself intrigues you to explore the area further, there are two ferries that cross the Wicomico. The Upper Ferry is located upstream from the park and the Whitehaven Ferry can be found downstream. Both ferries are operated by the county and are free to use. Each ferry can accommodate a maximum of two cars and 6 passengers and the crossing only takes a few minutes. Pirates Wharf Park even showcases a little bit about the history of Whitehaven and indicates the ferry began operating in 1685, making it one of the oldest, continuously running ferries in the country!
Next time you’re traveling on the west side of Salisbury on Route 50, consider taking a detour down Rockawalkin Road and enjoy the many amenities of Pirates Wharf Park.