Maryland has approved $1,373,847 for a multi-year dune maintenance project at Assateague State Park, the state’s only oceanfront park, aimed at shielding its campground and coastal infrastructure from erosion and extreme weather.
The project is scheduled to begin Sept. 3, 2026, and run through April 2, 2030. Ashton Manor Environmental, LLC will lead the work, which includes replacing protective barrier dune fencing, repairing pedestrian dune crossovers and reestablishing native beach vegetation.
The effort supports Maryland’s climate resilience and coastal conservation goals as outlined in the Climate Solutions Now Act and a 2026 Board of Public Works advisory.
The dunes act as a critical buffer between the Atlantic Ocean and the park’s interior, where camping areas and other facilities sit, according to an article by delmarva now.
Assateague State Park, located at 7307 Stephen Decatur Highway in Berlin, draws more than a million visitors a year and is home to wild ponies, deer and more than 200 species of birds. Its two miles of beaches also offer fishing and camping opportunities for all ages.
The funding signals that protecting campgrounds from coastal erosion will increasingly require state-level investment.
As Assateague’s dunes absorb wave energy and prevent ocean water from reaching the park’s campground, operators in similar coastal settings may look to Maryland’s approach as a model for securing their own infrastructure against rising seas and intensifying storm activity.