If your schedule made it impossible to get away for the long holiday weekend, all is not lost.

Greater Dundalk has plenty of waterfront parks and beaches where you can enjoy the Memorial Day holiday.

Whether you want a quiet family cookout or decide to throw an  impromptu get-together for 50 friends, consider one of many area waterfront parks for your gathering.

You get all of the ambiance of going "downy oshun" — the sights and sounds of shore birds, the crashing (or gentle lapping) of waves against the shore, the squeals of laughter from children having fun and the aroma of food being cooked on charcoal grills — without the hassle of Bay Bridge traffic and the traveling expenses.

Try a Memorial Day visit to one of these local gems:

North Point State Park, North Point Road: The park offers a pavilion at the site of the former trolley barn, many picnic areas, a visitor's center and a swimming beach.

There is an admission charge to the park.

Park hours are 8 a.m. to sunset.

For more information, call the park, 410-477-0757.

Fort Howard Park (at the very end of North Point Road, to the left of the Fort Howard Medical Center entrance): The park contains two pavilions, playground equipment, old military installation batteries and plenty of open space and waterfront areas.

Chesterwood Park, 2200 Chesterwood Road, off Peninsula Expressway: The park offers pavilions, athletic fields, picnic areas, playground equipment, fishing and trails.

Merritt Point Park, 7800 Dunmanway: The park offers pavilions, picnic areas, playground equipment, athletic fields, fishing, restrooms, boat ramps and multipurpose courts.

Dundalk also has smaller neighborhood waterfront parks, including Inverness Park (2025 Inverness Road) and Bear Creek Park (Park Have and Creek roads).

Inverness Park has a boat ramp, according to the Baltimore County Government website.

Fort Howard, Chesteerwood, Merritt Point, Inverness and Bear Creak are all Baltimore County public parks; there is no admission charge.