Peter Turcik
These communities are where a combination of geography, location, transportation systems, economic uses and services concentrate people at the Bay or along a major tributary. They provide a host of opportunities for people to experience multi-faceted Chesapeake resources and stories, and they encourage further exploration.
Residents and visitors encounter a wide range of cultural, natural and recreational experiences at multiple locations throughout Chesapeake Gateways Communities.
Anchor places within these communities orient visitors to the possibilities and introduce overarching interpretive themes. Interpretive materials, exhibits, activities or programs at other individual Chesapeake Gateways Places explore those themes. Chesapeake Gateways Communities make it easy for people to navigate and tour from place to place. They provide information, programmatic links and physical connections, such as walking routes, water links and more. Designated communities embrace resiliency, conservation, and sustainability through initiatives, programming and communications to enhance overall Chesapeake stewardship.
Based on the Updated Chesapeake Gateways Framework and in line with the EXPLORE Act of 2025, NPS Chesapeake Gateways has launch the Chesapeake Gateways Communities Initiative, community leaders can visit this page to learn more about the initiative.
Last updated: March 24, 2025