Garrett Island
Garrett Island is a marvel. A weathered remnant of an ancient volcano, it is the bay's only rocky island. It lies at the northern end of the Capt. John Smith National Historic Trail, and could hardly be more different from Jamestown Island at the southern end. Where Jamestown lies low, sandy, and marshy, Garrett rises rocky and wooded more than 115 feet above the Susquehanna River.
The Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail would like to increase public access to the island.
In 2003, the Conservation Fund joined with Bass Pro Shops, Lenfest Foundation, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to acquire Garrett Island for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
Part of a magnificent landscape where the freshwater Susquehanna meets the tidal Chesapeake Bay, Garrett Island has been occupied or visited and used by humans for centuries. Some historians believe it was the site where in 1608, Captain John Smith first encountered and traded with the Susquehannock Indians, whom he described in his writings as "giant-like" people and a "most noble and heroic nation of Indians." Captain Smith marked Garrett Island on his map during his exploration of the upper Chesapeake Bay.
The closure of Garrett Island to public use has been the source of great concern and frustration by boaters, paddlers, fishermen, campers, explorers and local government officials since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was first given the responsibility for managing the Island in 2003. We commend the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for safe guarding the island, and the recent steps they have taken to open the island to the public on a very limited basis. But we believe that much more can and should be done to make significant parts of the island available to the public, with appropriate stewardship safeguards.
With its strategic location between Perryville and Havre de Grace; its association with John Smith, the Susquehannock Indians and other important events in our national, state and local history; and its outstanding sheltered waters, beach landings, and other recreational features, we believe Garrett Island can provide tremendous recreational, tourism, educational and cultural benefits to the region, if opened and carefully managed for public recreational access, interpretation and education.
It is our hope that Garrett Island could be transferred from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the National Park Service to be managed and interpreted as part of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, with appropriate public access and stewardship of the Island and its resources. There is broad support in the local community for such a transfer.
For more information contact the Friends of Garrett Island and read the article in the Bay Journal.
