EASTON, MARYLAND — Talbot County has purchased about 1.6 acres of waterfront property beside Bellevue Community Park and the Bellevue Public Landing in Royal Oak, the county said in a Sept. 9 parks release.

The parcel at 25826 Orchard Terrace sits next to the existing park and landing. The negotiated price is $535,000. County figures put the park footprint at roughly 6.746 acres before the deal and 8.35 acres after.

Council Member Dave Stepp, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, tied the buy to the Bellevue Passage Museum work already moving and to keeping public access open for residents and visitors. County Manager Clay Stamp called waterfront land next to an existing public park a limited resource and framed the purchase as a strategic investment for future park planning. Parks and Recreation Director Emily Gilmer said the extra ground could support future shoreline use such as fishing or crabbing while building on what the park already offers.

The release says the land is first bought with General Fund dollars, with the county possibly seeking Program Open Space reimbursement later. It does not set a groundbreaking date for a pier or other new amenity.