As one of the facilities of Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation, our mission is to increase awareness, understanding, and appreciation of estuarine ecosystems through research, monitoring, and education.
We are one of the few remaining large freshwater tidal marshes in the upper Chesapeake Bay accessible to the public. Otter Point Creek is a shallow tributary located at the headwaters of the Bush River in southern Harford County, MD. The Otter Point Creek Component consists of two land areas (Leight Park and the Melvin G. Bosely Conservancy) connected by 261 acres of shallow open water. Leight Park is 93 forested acres owned by Harford County Parks and Recreation and home to the Estuary Center. The Bosely Conservancy is 350 acres of tidal marsh and wooded wetlands owned by the Izaak Walton League of America – Harford County Chapter.
Through our partnerships with Harford County and the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (CBNERR), we offer public, private/group, and school (including home school) programs. Program activities include canoeing, kayaking, pontoon boating, crafts, hiking, education, animal encounters, and research.