Things To Do:
Plenty of parks and playgrounds.
When you visit Ocean City, Maryland, the ocean isn't the only place to play. You'll find a wonderful array of parks, playgrounds and sports venues offering everything from peaceful picnic areas and tot lots to professional-quality tennis courts. Spend a leisurely day fishing or crabbing - there's even a park where dogs can play.
For more information on scheduling, fees, field and equipment rental, or information on any of the parks or activities listed below, call the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department at (410) 250-0125, or visit http://www.town.ocean-city.md.us/rec.html.
Which park offers what?
For the activity of your choice, check below.
Art Center: Little Salisbury Park
Ballfield: 3rd Street Park, Downtown Recreation Complex, Northside Park
Basketball: 3rd Street Park, Little Salisbury Park
Crabbing/Fishing: Inlet Park, Downtown Recreation Complex, 9th Street Fishing Pier, Convention Center Park, Jamestown Park, Northside Park, Sunset Park
Dog Park: 94th Street, bayside (access pass required)
Gymnasium: Northside Park
Jogging: Northside Park (and, of course, the beach and boardwalk!)
Picnic Area: Robin Park, Northside Park, Gorman Park, Fiesta Park, North Surf Park
Playground: 3rd Street Park, Robin Park, Little Salisbury Park, Northside Park, Gorman Park, North Surf Park, Downtown Recreation Complex
Racquetball: Gorman Park
Skating : 3rd Street Park
Surfing: Two beaches are reserved each day; check local surf shops or radio stations for locations. In addition, one section of beach along the inlet is reserved for surfers. It's open Monday through Friday during the summer, except on July 4th.
Tennis: 3rd Street Park, Ocean City Tennis Center, Little Salisbury Park, Gorman Park
Trails: Fiesta Park
Volleyball: Dorchester Volleyball Park
Pets can play, too.
Animals are allowed on the beach or boardwalk at any time between October 1st and April 30th. Dogs must be leashed at all times, and the owner or handler is responsible for removing any waste.
A special Dog Playground is available at 94th Street (bayside). For park hours and information about purchasing an access pass, call OC Recreation and Parks at (410) 250-0125. Weekly and annual passes are available. Please note that all dogs must have a valid license and a current rabies vaccination certificate from a certified veterinarian.
Biking, hiking, canoeing and more!
There's so much to do outdoors in the OC area. For maps and information on bike routes, hiking trails, boating and more, check out www.visitworcester.org.
Up for volleyball?
The Dorchester Beach Volleyball Park (between Dorchester and Talbot Streets, just off the boardwalk) offers 10 public courts for pick-up games from June through September. Courts can be reserved for $20/hour (residents) and $25/hour (non-residents).
To organize a tournament, just fill out a special events permit. There's a $35 application fee, with a minimum reservation fee of $100/day. Restrictions apply; call 410-250-0125 for more information.
Tennis, everyone?
Set up a tennis outing for friends, family or co-workers. Reserve a court (or courts) by submitting a facility use application and a $30 down payment. Fees are $14 per court hour from 7 AM -1 PM and $10 per court hour from 1 PM - 8 PM for the Premier or Fast-Dry courts. During the off-season most facilities are available at no charge. Players must abide by posted rules.
Ocean City Tennis Center (61st Street): 6 Premier Courts / 3 Fast-Dry Clay Courts
Little Salisbury Park (94th Street): 2 Hard Courts
Gorman Park (136th Street): 1 Hard Court
Downtown Recreation Complex (3rd Street): 2 Hard Courts
Our Tennis Center, an official USTA Welcome Center, boasts six Premier courts and 3 Lee Fast-Dry clay courts. The Premier Court cushioned system greatly reduces stress and fatigue on your back and knees, yet gives the true bounce of a hard court. It's been featured in Davis Cup, Federation Cup, ATP and WTA tournaments. If you're a soft-court enthusiast, the Lee Fast-Dry is the best available.
Tennis Center courts can be reserved May 15 - Sept 15, with some Premier courts open year-round. On-site parking, lighted courts, restrooms and a pro shop are available.
Take the field.
Sports fields can be reserved by the hour, based on availability. Additional fees apply for lighting or other special requests. The cost is $25/hour for OC residents and $30/hour for non-residents. You can also have fields lined for softball or baseball ($60 per field) or soccer, lacrosse or field hockey ($92 per field).
Rent what you need.
Softball equipment bags include three bats and six balls. They can be rented for $20/day (residents) or $25/day (non residents). Bases are available for an additional $5.
Volleyball equipment bags contain one net and two balls. (Standards are not included.) They can be rented for $20/day (residents) or $25/day (non residents).
The Downtown Recreation Complex offers fields for youth baseball and softball and adult softball and soccer.
Northside Park offers a softball/baseball/soccer field and multi-purpose open space.
Hit our gyms.
Want to reserve a gym for friends, family or co-workers? Two full gymnasiums and four indoor basketball courts are available at Northside Park. These gyms can also be used for volleyball or indoor soccer. Reservation fees are $30-36/hour (residents); $44-50/hour (non-residents). Extra fees may apply if you require a supervisor, or if you need equipment set up or taken down.
When the kids want to play.
Northside Park on 125th Street (bayside) is OC's largest. The complex features three lighted softball/baseball fields, a lighted soccer field and two large gymnasiums. Tot lots, a fishing lagoon and walking/jogging paths are also available.
Additional playgrounds are located at 3rd Street Park, Robin Park, Little Salisbury Park, German Park and North Surf Park.
The Ocean Bowl Skate Park on 3rd Street boasts a pool bowl, vert ramp, mini ramp and concrete street area - perfect for skateboarders and inline skaters.
For kids who prefer to raise a racquet, the Ocean City Tennis Center at 61st Street (bayside) serves up Premier courts, Lee Fast-Dry Clay courts - and two pee-wee courts for players age 8 and under. The Tennis Center also offers junior camps in the summer.
A special Dog Playground is available at 94th Street (bayside). For hours and information, or to purchase a weekly or annual access pass, call (410) 250-0125, or click here to download an application for your pass.
There's probably a park near you!
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