One Of Severna Park’s Oldest Communities, West Severna Park Continues To Thrive

Located in the area at the intersection of Benfield Boulevard and Evergreen Road, West Severna Park truly is at the heart of it all. There are approximately 238 homes, most of which were built in the 1950s and 1960s. The community has a beautiful beach with a playground and cabana, a marina with a ramp and boat storage, and is an easy walk to the Severn River Swim Club and Evergreen pool. Kinder Farm Park is a short hike up the B&A Trail, and downtown Severna Park is just a short walk or bike ride away.

The community cabana can be reserved for parties, and includes a long pier for fishing, a kayak rack, big sandy beach with a playground, and swimming pier. It is one of the few, maybe only, beaches with indoor plumbing and an outdoor shower.

The West Severna Park residents host several events, including Oktoberfest, a luau, newcomers key exchange, cleanup days at the marina and beach, fishing derby, and an active moms group and senior group.

Located directly across from the new Severna Park High School, children in this neighborhood attend Severna Park Elementary, Severna Park Middle and Severna Park High schools. Once in high school, there is no need to vie for a coveted senior parking pass, as students can easily skip the Benfield traffic and walk to school faster than any parent can get them to the drop-off loop.

Ed Knebel
Resident for 24 Years

Ed Knebel’s family was planning a move in 1996, so they asked everyone they knew for suggestions. A coworker mentioned that he loved West Severna Park because of the sense of community, water privileges and the schools.

“The schools helped [with our decision],” said Knebel, “but I really fell in love with the marina. This is a very friendly community, with amenities that bring people together.”

Knebel said when he gets asked about West Severna Park, he recommends the community for its easy access to locally owned restaurants and businesses.

“The amenities here are a great way to build relationships with neighbors,” said Knebel, adding that volunteering with neighbors and attending community events is a great way to get to know people.

“Many times over the years I have witnessed the community supporting each other, mostly with food support, but even with dog walking and dog play dates,” Knebel added. “We have personally received support from the community on several occasions, and were overwhelmed with the magnitude of generosity. We are grateful to live in such a caring community.”

Ed has volunteered as the community’s marina chairman since 1999.

Scott and Mary Schaner
Residents for 20 Years

Scott Schaner graduated from Severna Park; his wife, Mary, graduated from Andover High School. When it was time to put down their family’s roots, they chose West Severna Park.

“Mary and I were looking for a neighborhood with great schools and water amenity access. We lived in Pasadena and decided that once we had children, we would either send them to private school or just spend the same money on a house in Severna Park.”

All four Schaner children attended Severna Park schools. Their youngest will graduate from Severna Park High School this May and study nursing at Towson University. Their two oldest children are a teacher in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, and a naval officer who recently earned an engineering degree. Their fourth child is in college now. Scott feels the Severna Park school system prepared his children well for college and careers.

“West Severna Park is a very active community with amazing volunteers,” said Scott. “Our community is 100% volunteer and there is a ton of work! It is incredible to see how much work our members volunteer for, but they do it because it is the culture of our community.”

Scott credits his neighbors as being the best part of living in West Severna Park, and estimates that there are about 50 active community members serving as officers or members of committees, or simply doing things that help without recognition.

“Just recently, the Sullivans organized an annual Souper Bowl that collects pantry items for SPAN, a local food bank, on Super Bowl Sunday,” noted Scott. “One of our residents, Charlie Phelps, who just turned 100 years old, volunteers his time regularly cleaning up tree debris and other items at our community beach. Charlie seeks no recognition, but I think he is the embodiment of a WSP resident.”

If Scott had to narrow down the best aspects of West Severna Park, he’d say first, that the community loves to have a great party, so there are lots of them, and second, is the very active volunteer mindset.

“Our neighbors, the Trentlys, are original homeowners, so I got to hear the stories about Severna Park back when Benfield was a dirt road and that the high school was originally very small,” added Scott. “Our adjacent neighbors are all very nice and vary in family size. I walk my dog daily and it is always just nice to see my neighbors as we are out.”

Scott was the community beach maintenance chairman for a few years and also served as community president for five years. Currently, he’s on the board of directors. Mary organizes a showcase of homes for neighbors who had home improvements and want to share ideas with neighbors.

Dan & Katie Mills
Residents for 5 Years

Dan, Katie, Ashley and Noah Mills moved to West Severna Park from Canton in Baltimore City in 2015. Katie Mills is a Linstead native and a Severna Park High School graduate.

The Mills children attend Severna Park Elementary School, and Dan and Katie say the family could not be happier.

“We absolutely love the school! Amazing teachers and staff who organize fun activities including a spring fair, ice cream social, plays and musicals, a variety show, and more,” said Dan. “When our oldest child, a girl, started kindergarten, there were at least 13 other West Severna Park girls in kindergarten at Severna Park Elementary School!”

Katie isn’t the only one who wanted to move “back” to Severna Park.

“When we moved here in 2015, we met so many kind people, many of whom have lived here for a long time, but also folks like us who wanted to move back to Severna Park once we had kids,” added Dan. “To us, the residents are what make West Severna Park so special. The amenities are great, but it’s our neighbors who make it where we want to live in for a long time.”

Dan serves on the community board, and Katie and Dan both volunteer at the elementary school on a weekly basis. The whole family helps out with beach cleanups and, and Katie is in the community moms club.

Photo by Judy Tacyn

1. Ed Knebel, Dan Mills and Rio Knebel all cherish their neighbors in West Severna Park.

Photos Provided

2. Scott and Mary Schaner were looking for a neighborhood with great schools and water amenity access.