Newtowne Neck State Park is being developed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In 2009, the Jesuit Community which owned the 700 acre tract of land, sold it to the state so that the environmentally sensitive, historically rich, and scenically beautiful site could be protected from commercial development.

The St. Francis Xavier Church grounds, including the Manor House, now lie within the boundaries of the park. Hence the interest by parishioners in future uses of the park.

Shortly after the DNR opened the park and before a master plan was developed, unexploded ordinance from a World War II testing site was discovered on the shores of the park. This led to a closing of the park and a delay in the planning process as remediation commenced. In late April 2014 much of the park was reopened to the public.

This page will update parishioners and other interested parties on the master plan, meeting dates, and opportunities to be involved as the process moves forward.

The DNR has a webpage for the park here.

See this overview of the goals, background and possible uses of the park from the perspective of St. Francis Xavier parish. This document lists the concerns of parishioners about how the park may impact the parish as the park is developed in the future.

Joseph Gill, Secretary of Maryland DNR, invited Fr. Thomas Crowley, pastor of St. Francis Xavier parish, to assist in the development of the master plan for the park in this letter.