Date: July 11, 2014
Contact: Liz Davis, 410-629-6087
BERLIN- Superintendent Debbie Darden announces the opening of Assateague Island National Seashore’s new concession operation at Bayside Drive. Just ten days after signing a 10 year contract, SuperFun Eco Tours, LLC, in partnership with Maryland Coastal Bays Program, Inc., are up and running, providing tours and basic rental services at the Kayak Rental Stand at Bayside Drive.
The Concessioner is working diligently to install electricity to the rental office building in order to provide an expansion of services. The Bayside concession operation will now provide a variety of exciting kayak and stand up paddle board tours; canoe, kayak, paddle board, clam rake and bicycle rentals; and soon will provide retail products including prepackaged food, drinks and merchandise similar to the Beach Hut.
The Beach Hut will tentatively open July 16, 2014. Located in the center of the North Ocean Beach Day Use Area, the Beach Hut will now offer bicycle and equipment rentals, in addition to retail sale of beach and camping merchandise, including prepackaged food and drinks.
Both Maryland Coastal Bay Program, Inc., and SuperFun Eco Tours, LLC have provided commercial services in the Park previously. The partnership will continue to provide exceptional customer service and improve the environmental sustainability of the concessions operations. They plan to institute a variety of new environmentally-friendly initiatives and source a high percentage of food and merchandise from local artists and vendors.
About 1.25 million people visit the Maryland end of the National Seashore annually and over 33,000 visitors have enjoyed services provided by the concessioners. Superintendent Darden anticipates services will be available to many more visitors in the future as services are expanded to include mobile sales. “The concessioners’ highly motivated and
creative talent sparks high expectations for more innovative ideas during the life of this contract.”
Amidst the highly developed Mid-Atlantic region, the Seashore’s 31,000 acres of pristine coastal resources provide unique opportunities for nature-based recreation, education, solitude, and inspiration. All of the concessions facilities will provide information about the park, interpretive displays, brochures and maps, as well as administer use of the Park’s beach wheelchairs.
Plan to stop and check out the Park’s concessions facilities on your next visit to the Park or visit them online at www.mdcoastalbays.org. Find more information about Assateague Island National Seashore at www.nps.gov/asis.
