Greenwell: A Hidden Treasure - Story by Chris Chase and Photography by Daniel Burgess

Greenwell: A Hidden Treasure

Story by Chris Chase and Photography by Daniel Burgess

Greenwell Foundation, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, is a not-for-profit public charity operating in the Greenwell State Park in Hollywood.

Back in 1650, Captain Cornwaleys was granted a 4,000-acre tract of land known as Resurrection Manor by Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore. Later known as "Rosedale Farm," this land was acquired by John Philip Greenwell, Jr. (1894-1986) in 1941 from John and Mary Bond. Mr. Greenwell, a successful commercial real-estate investor from Washington, D.C., refurbished Rosedale Farm once WWII ended. Since some of the outlying buildings were reported to date from 1775-1790, Mr. Greenwell conducted research to revitalize the property accurately to its 18th century roots.

After being raised by a disabled father who successfully reared six children on his own after the death of his wife, Mr. Greenwell wanted to ensure that the disabled would always be able to enjoy and utilize the property. In 1971, he and his sister, Mary Wallace, who also lived on the farm, donated 176 acres to the State of Maryland for use as a park for Maryland residents and especially those with disabilities. Upon the deaths of Mr. Greenwell in 1986 and his sister in 1991, the property came under the control of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The state purchased the adjoining 430-acre Bond Farm to make the total park contain almost 600 acres of woods, farmland, and meadows along more than two miles of shoreline on the Patuxent. The first three years, Greenwell Foundation managed the park under a lease agreement. Then in 1995, the DNR began the daily management of the park. Now, Greenwell Foundation runs the programming of the park while the State of Maryland runs the site.

The focal point of the Greenwell property is the Rosedale Manor (circa 1880), which sits majestically above the Patuxent River. The Great Room of the Manor House can accommodate a small, seated affair with up to 50 guests or 75 guests standing. Accommodating up to 300 guests, the grounds provide the perfect setting for large tented weddings and corporate affairs. A beautiful Victorian rose garden and family chapel (consecrated by the Catholic Church) enhance the grounds. One out of three tobacco barns located on the Bond Farm portion of the property is thought to be the oldest standing hewn log tobacco barn in St. Mary's County.

The Francis Knott Lodge, a spacious building offering sleeping facilities for up to 17 people along with four bathrooms with wheelchair accessible roll-in showers, offers year round enjoyment (it is both heated and air-conditioned) for family visitors, special events, and retreats with its full kitchen, large brick fireplace and supply of books and games.

Quarter Creek is the future site of an accessible kayak/canoe launch with funding secured from PEPCO. The Quarter Creek Pavilion offers covered seating for about 40 people, fully accessible bathrooms, beach access, playground, fireplace, and grills all while enjoying the eagles, blue herons and other wildlife in the picturesque setting.

Since the spring of 1999, over 300 people have benefited from the Therapeutic Riding Program (TRP). This program offers individuals with special needs the opportunity to improve fine and gross motor skills, posture, ambulation skills and range of body motion all while gaining a sense of independence utilizing the horse's four legs. Many athletes in the riding program often work toward the spring equestrian Special Olympic Games for which the foundation provides instructors, volunteers, and horses. In addition, about half the riding lessons are utilized by able-bodied people. Plans are now in effect to design and build a covered arena to provide shelter for the program lessons to allow year-round access for these and other equine related programs.

During the fall of 2003, Diane McKissick, L.C.S.W.-C. began Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) at Greenwell with her Lone Spirit Counseling Equestrian Program. As clients work on effective communication skills, Diane utilizes their interaction with horses during grooming, handling, lunging, and riding. Since horses are so intuitive and mirror feelings they receive from people, Diane utilizes this to help her clients.

Camp Greenwell offers traditional day camp activities each summer to meet the needs of all campers in an inclusive setting. Three two-week sessions are offered for ages 7-9 and two 1-week adventure sessions are offered for ages 10-12. These fun camps include fishing, archery, flying model airplanes, hiking, nature identification, birding, cooking over a campfire, kayaking and lessons in American Sign Language.

Greenwell has so much to offer already and much more in the works. A sensory trail is planned along a portion of the existing ten miles of trails within the park, in addition to a carriage-driving program. St. Mary's County Special Olympics, a strong partner and advocate of the Greenwell site for the past four years, is expanding the current kayaking program, as well as instructional and recreational sailing. A master gardener program is being established to assist in managing the gardens at Rosedale Manor, hosting horticultural education presentations to the public, along with overseeing the development of the sensory garden planned for the Francis Knott Lodge. Plans are in place to make use of the horses as an exercise tool for physical therapy plus in bereavement recovery programs. With its roomy driving loop, school field trips will continue to grow in popularity for the wonderful opportunities in environmental education.

There are currently between 80-100 active volunteers assisting in the running of Greenwell State Park. Most of these volunteers are used for riding programs, the Garden Guild and Adopt-A-Trail. Volunteers are always needed in all areas.

Greenwell State Park is definitely a hidden treasure in Southern Maryland. The new honeycomb paving material creates full non-barrier access to most areas of this beautiful sight. With four miles of trails, picnic areas, a playground, water access, meeting rooms, and entertaining facilities, there is something for everyone. What a wonderful place to discover this summer!

For more information about programs offered at Greenwell State Park, go to greenwellfoundation.org or call 301-373-9775.

For more information about Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy, visit lonespirit.org.