In the late 1990’s this property, now known as Port of Leonardtown Park, was slated to be sold on the State’s excess property list. Harry Norris, III, worked with State and local officials to purchase the property for a mere $14,365 based on the original 1930 cost of the land. Swann played a key role in making sure the property was transferred to the Town. The Town has developed this beautiful pas
sive public park, on the banks of the McIntosh Run, using two Community Parks and Playground grants totaling $363,000, which the Town matched with like funds. The design of the landscaping was the vision of the late Councilmember Robert C. Combs, who personally oversaw the construction of a majority of the grounds. Across McIntosh Run from the Port of Leonardtown Park is a 58 acre FIDS (Forest Interior Dwelling Species) habitat. This magnificent area is a sanctuary for many birds, especially Baltimore Orioles, wild turkeys and Bald Eagles. Visitors can launch their canoe, kayak or stand up paddle board at the Port of Leonardtown Park and paddle their way through a beautiful scenic, serene two and a half mile water trail to Leonardtown Wharf Public Park. In addition to the Park, Port of Leonardtown is home to Port of Leonardtown Winery. Opening in 2010 as a vision of Mayor Norris and then President of the Board of Commissioners for St. Mary’s County, Thomas McKay, the winery facility created a local market for farmers who took the tobacco buyout to grow grapes and preserve farmland. The Port of Leonardtown Winery, operated by the Southern Maryland Wine Growers Cooperative, the only cooperative owned winery in Maryland, produces award winning wines and has become a large tourism draw for Leonardtown and St. Mary’s County
