The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced on Thursday that Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County is fully open to the public after a closure of more than a month. The park was shut after a child was attacked by a rabid beaver, prompting officials to halt all visitor access while a response plan was put in place.
During the closure, state wildlife staff conducted a monitoring operation throughout the park to locate any additional infected animals. The effort focused on areas where beavers are known to congregate and included regular visual inspections and safe‑capture attempts. After completing the surveillance period, officials reported that no further rabid beavers were found, confirming a count of zero additional cases.
With the monitoring results indicating that the threat had been contained, the department cleared the park for reopening. Staff also performed standard sanitation and safety checks before allowing visitors back onto trails, picnic areas, and other facilities. The reopening restores access to the park’s extensive network of hiking paths, waterways, and recreational amenities that have been unavailable since the incident.
The department emphasized that the situation will continue to be observed and that any future wildlife health concerns will be addressed promptly. The park’s return to full operation marks the end of the emergency response period and restores a popular outdoor destination for residents of Montgomery County and surrounding areas.