Oyster Harbor Citizens Association ~~~ Annapolis, Maryland ~~~ Beach, Marinas & Parking Rules

Our Association

Beach, Marinas, and Parking Rules

Beach

OHCA Beach Reservation Form
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Approved Beach Reservations

Sept. 5
Party
6 - 11 p.m.

Sept. 11
Beach Party
noon - 4 p.m.

Sept. 18
80th Birthday Party
10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Oct. 2
Family Party
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

This beach and adjacent fishing pier are private facilities for use by Oyster Harbor residents and their guests only. They are owned by the Oyster Harbor Citizens Association (OHCA) and are not open to the general public. If you fish on the pier, please be prepared to show the police or a member of OHCA’s beach patrol your beach key or a picture ID to verify residence. Guests must be accompanied by an OHCA resident at all times.

The beach is open to residents from dawn until midnight seven days a week, but please use common sense regarding noise, the nature of your activities, and the privacy of your neighbors. [Note: the new hours were approved by OHCA’s Board on April 12, 2010, and ratified by residents at the community meeting on June 29, 2010.] Fill out the online reservation form if you would like access to the beach between midnight and dawn (e.g., scouting events, star/comet/meteor gazing).

Use of the beach and fishing pier by OHCA residents is non-exclusive: All residents may access the beach and fishing pier whenever they are open – exclusive use of the beach for parties or private functions is not permitted. However, if you wish to reserve the community’s picnic facilities (tables, grills, gazebos, and power outlets) for a private party, you may do so on a first-come, first-served basis by filling out a reservation form online or contacting a member of the beach committee (see other parts of this website for information about OHCA’s officers, the community calendar, beach rules, and existing reservations.) You should make your own arrangements for parking and security if you are expecting more than 50 guests.

Swim at your own risk: There is no lifeguard on duty. Small children, toddlers, and infants must be under direct adult supervision at all times.

Do not jump or dive from the fishing pier and do not swim near the pier or in the channel. There is boat traffic and conditions are dangerous.

Avoid the rock breakwaters and wood pilings from which the jellyfish nets are hanging – they have splinters, sharp edges, and other hidden hazards. Do not hang on or play with the nets.

NOT PERMITTED on the beach at any time:

Pets
Disruptive behavior
Loud noise (music and bands to cease by 11 p.m.)
Boats (except for kayaks & canoes while their owners are on the beach)
Bonfires (unless an OHCA-sponsored event)
Fireworks (unless an OHCA-sponsored event for which a permit has been secured)
Charging admission for events.

Alcohol may be consumed by adults but may not be sold at events or provided to minors. Please recycle your empty containers.

Please clean up the beach after your event. Carry your own trash and recyclables out to the curb or back to your home.

If you drive, please park on the asphalt apron along the bay side of Shore Drive. Do not park on the stone swales or in other people’s yards/driveways. Do not block traffic. Please display your OHCA parking decal.

A port-a-potty is available at the entrance for resident beach-goers from early May through October. The beach and pier are patrolled by Anne Arundel County police, off-duty sheriffs hired by OHCA, and a community beach patrol. Please contact 911 in the event of any problems or unusual activities.

NOTE: GEESE ARE NOT WELCOME ON OHCA’S BEACH! If you see Canada Geese on the beach, please help chase them away (their feces are messy and foul both the sand and the water where our children play).

Thank you, and enjoy your time at the OHCA beach.

Click for printer friendly version of Beach Rules

Marinas

Keys ~~ To obtain keys to the Shore Drive beach gate, and Fishing Creek gate contact Association Manager Claire Dillon, 410 280-8999 or manager@oysterharbor.org. There is no charge for keys; one per household. There is a $25 charge for replacement keys.

Parking for cars & trailers ~~ Parking at the Marina and boat ramp lots is for users of those facilities only. Trailers may not be parked at these locations.

Boat Slips ~~ Only registered slipholders may keep their boats at the community marinas. Slips are rented on a yearly basis. The current slip holder has first chance to renew his or her contract. There is a waiting list and residents on the list will be contacted as soon as a
slip opens. The boat owner will then have the chance to accept the slip or decline depending on location and needs. Proof of registration and boat insurance is required for slip rental and renewal. For detailed rules and regulations and boat slip inquiries contact the association manager at manager@oysterharbor.org.

Pumpout ~~ There is a public pumpout at the Oyster Creek marina. Any member of the public may use it. Instructions are on the unit.

Safety Equipment ~~ Please raise the ladders on the Oyster Harbor marina piers when you are finished with them so that the rungs do not accumulate slime or other marine growth. There are "man overboard" life rings and fire extinguishers on the Oyster Harbor marina piers and on the fishing pier. If you see that any of these are missing or in disrepair, please the association manager at manager@oysterharbor.org.

Swimming ~~ Swimming and diving is not permitted from Oyster Harbor marina piers.

Crab Pots & Fish Traps ~~ Crab pots and fish traps are not allowed on community piers and slip pilings. The pots and traps
can cause serious damage to boats and engines. They can also be harmful to marine life if left unattended. They will be removed if left unattended and attached to pilings. Do not confuse these with floating oyster cages that are attached to community piers as part of the Green Oyster Harbor Environmental Committee initiative to clean up the water in Oyster Creek.

Fishing Creek Park

All small watercraft in Fishing Creek Park are required to have an OHCA small boat sticker. To obtain your sticker contact Chris DeSimone, GoVikes80@aol.com, 410 263-5399.

Kayak Racks & Floating Dock ~~ These facilities are for use by all Oyster Harbor residents on a first come basis.

Be considerate and do not leave your boats in the beach/launch area. It is a very small area and boats left there prevent other boaters, kids, dogs, and other residents from using the beach.

Please do not use the floating dock for boat storage. If you do not use your boat on a regular (daily) basis, then store it on land.

Trailer storage is prohibited.

Parking

Oyster Harbor rules prohibit parking on our narrow streets. There are good reasons for this. On-street parking poses a safety hazard for “darting children” and hinders access for emergency fire and police vehicles.

OHCA Car Decals ~~ At recent OHCA community meetings residents have expressed concerns that our community areas/facilities are being used by non-residents. To help provide easy recognition of whether or not a vehicle does indeed belong to a community member, we have printed OHCA vinyl car window decals.

The stickers will also instill a sense of pride in this wonderful community in which we reside. Stick them on your car and display your community spirit!

If you have more than three vehicles, or if you need hanging tags that will act as temporary identification for visitors' vehicles, please contact Linda Nivens-Epps, 410 263-0717, lnivens64@aol.com.

Speed Limits ~~ Please obey posted speed limit signs, particularly on Arundel on the Bay Road. Watch out for children, dog-walkers, pedestrians and the police officers who will be glad to introduce themselves and their speeding tickets.

Save our Swales ~~ Please refrain from raking leaves or other yard debris into the street or community swales and ditches. When this happens, the community incurs increased costs in dump fees and grounds keeping expenses. Most importantly, it interferes with water infiltration and runoff.