From Harford County government:
Visit Mariner Point Park in Joppatowne and say “ahoy” to the handsome new mariner statue unveiled on November 2 by Harford County Executive Barry Glassman and members of his administration. The eight-foot mariner sporting a bright yellow raincoat was carved from a single piece of white pine from Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Artist Paul Waclo, who was on hand for the unveiling, used chainsaws and woodcarving tools to create the statue finished with high grade exterior paint to help ensure a long life. The mariner was funded by the Glassman administration with revenue from the county’s hotel/lodging fee to promote tourism. Joppatowne’s newest attraction replaces a former statue that had been damaged beyond repair by natural elements.
Community members gathered Wednesday for the unveiling of the figure that many likened to the author Ernest Hemingway. The new statue sits atop the former statue’s base plate and a planting bed so that altogether it stands an impressive 12 feet tall.
County Executive Glassman gave a brief history of the original statue built in 2002, which depicted a mariner leaning on an anchor. That statue was destroyed later in the year by a driver who claimed the mariner had jumped in front of his car. Although the statue was quickly rebuilt and refurbished over the years, termites and water damage finally took their toll. The damage was exacerbated by the former statue’s leaning posture, which exposed more joints to the elements.
Joppa community members, who had mourned the loss of their beloved mariner, were delighted with the new addition. “This is thrilling for Joppa, it’s like Joppa of years ago,” said Paula Mullis, chair of the Joppa/Joppatowne Community Advisory Board. “This means a lot to the Joppa community.”
The new Joppatowne mariner will greet thousands of visitors each year to Mariner Point Park, a Harford County Parks & Rec facility. This 37.7-acre waterfront park features a boat launch into the Gunpowder River, bike and walking trails, picnic areas and more. Located on a peninsula between Taylors and Foster Branch creeks, the park consists of both undeveloped woodland and areas developed for passive activities.
For more information, please visit: http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Mariner-Point-Park-69.
My first thought was ‘ Yellow Santa’ 😉 but I actually Do like the new statue! More cute/endearing looking than the previous salty looking guy, but a great replacement nonetheless!! Mariner Park is one of the nicest parts of Jtowne. It’s nice to have a Mariner standing watch once again!
Great job. A nice site to see when entering the park. During the presentation Mr.Glassman did not have to throw the jab in about Councilman Perrone’s lack of support for the bill that raised the taxes that funded it though. Probably did it because he knew Dion was in the crowd.
I didn’t attend but if he did make the remark that is a shame. While the statue is lovely, the county sent the tax dollars collected, out of state for something that will not bring in 1 additional dollar for the county.
A net loss for the citizens of Harford county.
How’s that again?? The statue was paid for with revenue from hotel/lodging fees. That means the money essentially came from people who visited Maryland. The statue is a benefit FOR us, not a fund raising attraction. So how is that a “net loss” for the citizens of Harford County? It gave work to an American artist, not someone in another country. And, most importantly, Joppatowne got something beautiful and meaningful from the county for a change. I think it was a WIN for all involved. You can watch a cool video of the carving process on the artist’s Facebook page.
Apparently both you and Barry don’t remember what the tax revenues were to be spent on. Artwork wasn’t one of them.
After the tax is distributed to the towns of Havre de Grace Aberdeen and Bel AIr the remaining monies are to be spent on promoting tourism. So we got an 8 foot wood guy in a raincoat some how making people want to vacation in lovely Harford County.. Could have been worse Glassman could have bought an 8 foot tall Trump portrait.
You all do realize alot of the weekend boaters launching there and other parks similarly situated are not county residents? That is tourism.
Cdev stop and ask yourself….
Did those non county residents use the park prior to purchasing this piece of artwork or do they only come now that it is installed?
The answer is this piece of art does nothing to increase tourism. It was a total waste of money. If I were in the tourism industry in Harford county I would be outraged.
Hard to say as the art has always been there. I really think the drunk who removed the last one should pay for it!
I thought it was strange the Perrone was trying to jump in all the pictures but he didn’t even vote for the funding source. He s like most C4L people. They want things but don’t want to pay for it.
A mariner but no marina – you’re kidding right.
There never has been a marina in that park. That is located up the street under new management.