PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Nature Center will open on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 2880 Grays Road in Prince Frederick. The event marks the center’s first time opening its doors after a fire shut the center down in November 2022.
At the time of the fire, no staff or volunteers were present, but a barn owl named “Buddy” passed away. All other animals were rescued and moved to safe locations. The center remained closed after the fire, and Calvert County Parks and Recreation (CCPR) announced restoration plans in January 2025.
“Step inside and discover refreshed exhibits, exciting new programs, and the same serene boardwalks winding through towering bald cypress trees. It’s a celebration of resilience, renewal, and nature’s comeback story,” the Calvert Nature Society event page reads.
The family-friendly grand reopening event will include guided tours, animal meet-and-greets with the center’s turtles, snakes and owls, arts and crafts, a selfie station and a memory table. The basement, exhibit room and office spaces were the most damaged in the fire, and guests at the event can expect to see a renovated exhibit room and greet their favorite animals.
Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary is a partnership between the Calvert County Natural Resources Division and The Nature Conservancy. The sanctuary is part of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1965.
The 100 acres of park and trails remained open after the fire. During the renovation, the county closed the outdoor animal exhibits to the public. These exhibits will also reopen when the nature center reopens.
Which is to say, it’s been a while since many Calvert residents have seen their favorite animal friends at the Battle Creek Sanctuary. The event promises time to reconnect with the animals and nature in one of the county’s most cherished spaces.
Effective Sept. 2, park hours are Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday: 1 to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can access the helpful fall trail guide for a map of the trail and a helpful list of plants to watch out for when hiking — including poison ivy, which turns brown in the fall but is still very capable of giving you a rash.
Interested attendees should keep an eye on the Calvert County Facebook page for updated nature center hours after the grand reopening event.
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