Colchester On The Severn, A Hidden “Gem” On The River

Tewkesbury. It sounds familiar. Was that the author of the last book I read? Or wait, was he the last Orioles pitcher to toss a no-hitter? Actually, Tewkesbury is a town in England, coincidentally along a river named Severn. But closer to home, it’s the name of a little-traveled street off of Benfield and next to St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church and school that leads into Colchester on the Severn.

The tucked-away community consists of approximately 42 homes primarily built between 1968 and 1973. There are stately traditional homes, impressive colonials, and a few contemporary structures nestled under towering trees.

Many homes are inhabited by the original owners or their children. Despite the limited turnover, the neighborhood is currently experiencing a relative baby boom with most homes having a few children. Public school students attend Oak Hill Elementary, and Severna Park middle and high schools.

Residents have use of a boat ramp, beach pavilion, a stunning community beach, fire pit, horseshoe pit, a pier and boat slips.

The neighborhood has numerous traditions including TGIFs at the pier on Fridays in the summer, a neighborhood potluck on July 3 to watch the Sherwood Forest fireworks, an Easter egg hunt at the beach, and a Halloween get-together where residents bring a chili or dessert to share at the beach, after which the kids have a costume parade before heading into the neighborhood to collect candy.

The active social committee also plans parties for Labor Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Friday night happy hours at the beach in the summer, Christmas cookie exchange parties, and progressive dinners in the winter.

Chris Melendez
Resident for 47 Years

Chris Melendez’s family moved to Colchester in 1972 when her father’s work brought them to Maryland from Massachusetts. She moved out after college but quickly returned to the neighborhood after purchasing her parents’ home 20 years ago.

“My parents were ready to downsize and the timing was right for us to buy a bigger house,” Melendez said. “We have four active kids who loved growing up in Colchester.”
Melendez likes to think of her neighborhood as a secret community gem.

“No one knows its back here! It’s a small, tight-knit community with water privileges and centrally located in Severna Park,” she added. “It makes navigating Benfield Road easier.”
Melendez and her family love how Severna Park is so active, and there are activities for everyone.

“Many communities [in Severna Park have] water privileges, a great school system, and the Green Hornets athletic association has something for every level and is competitive,” said Melendez, rattling off just a few of her favorite things about Severna Park. “Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival at SPHS is one of my favorite things to attend. Kinder Farm Park is a great place to walk and play and attend sporting events, and the Severna Park Community Center has great events, too.”

Nicole Clark
Resident for Two and a Half Years

The search for the perfect nursery and preschool brought Nicole Clark’s family to Severna Park, and ultimately Colchester. After visiting St. Martin’s-in-the-Field, it was clear to the couple that their youngest son would attend St. Martin’s. “We love this school, the nurturing environment and phenomenal teachers, as well,” Clark said.

Living within walking distance to the children’s school is wonderful, but Clark also loves the small, quaint community with its wonderful beach.

Clark’s two older sons attend Oak Hill Elementary School and she’s pleased with their experience thus far. “We are very happy with the school, teachers, administrators and school community,” she added.

When asked what makes Severna Park special, Clark is hard-pressed to narrow her answer to just one or two aspects.

“Everything! There’s such a sense of community in Severna Park,” she exclaimed. “It is a beautiful place to live for people and families of all ages. My hope is families of young children work together to make this the best possible place for a child to grow and that one day, when the child is an adult, they choose to raise their family here too.”

As for Colchester, Clark loves the random acts of kindness that take place every day in the community.

“It may be something like helping a neighbor take trash cans from the street to their house, making dinners for a family who just had a baby, helping someone get their boat out of the water,” she continued, “or simply doing a kind deed for one another.”

Susan Luck
Resident for 48 Years

Susan and Jim Luck came to Severna Park in 1964 after his career in the United States Air Force. In 1971, they “accidentally” found an open house in Colchester and fell in love with the home and the community. At the time, the neighborhood had only 12 homes.

Colchester is “a little-known gem,” said Susan. “It’s private and small enough to foster the small-town closeness not possible in larger communities,” she continued. “We have a great location on the Severn, a beach area, pavilion, and a huge pier with many reasonable available slips. We have the best of all worlds in this neighborhood.”

Susan said since the 1960s, she and her husband have seen a lot of growth in Severna Park, but she still wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Colchester to anyone moving to the area.

“It is unique as it is so small and with a wonderful, close and welcoming spirit,” Susan said. “It is a bit hard to buy a home here! Houses are barely on the market. Turnover is slow. I think we went 20 years without a house for sale once. Now we have several of our children, who grew up here, and have come back to raise their families. I think that speaks volumes about the type of community we have.”