HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 2 2025 Board Minutes - reviewed PARKS & RECREATION BOARD
October 2, 2025
MINUTES
Present Absent With Reason
Amy Sterner Jeff Cline
Julie Sanders Lori Sines
Eric Michael Dwayne Freeman
Mike Tesla
Chair, Amy Sterner, called the meeting of the Washington County Parks & Recreation
Advisory Board to order at 3.25 pm. Guests were Jaime Dick, Director of Parks &
Recreation; Andrew Eshleman, Public Works Director; Travis Allen, Comprehensive
Planner; Rob Holsinger, Recreation Supervisor; Pam Boyd, Parks Manager.
Approval of Minutes
Ms. Stener asked for any additions or corrections to the minutes of September 4, 20257
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting.
With no corrections or additions, the minutes passed as presented unanimously, 4-0 by
the Board. Mike Tesla made the motion to approve the minutes, and Eric Michael
seconded the motion.
Citizen's Comments
No one appeared for Citizen's comments.
Department Reports
Parks & Recreation Director's Report
Mr. Dick gave the P&R Director's Report.
AG ED Center
The Center continues to be busy during the Fall season. Girls Inc. held their annual
Muddy Mama's event and had over 800 participants.
Two events will be happening this weekend. The Quad State Beer Fest this Saturday
and the Apple Fest at the Rural Heritage Village on Sunday.
A new high tensile fence was installed at the entrance of the Complex.
Black Rock Golf Course
The High School Golf season is wrapping up this month at the course.
The Maintenance staff is working on the aeration of the course and leaf removal.
The Golf Board and staff are working on a sponsorship program for the proposed Golf
Learning Center.
Parks & Recreation
We are currently in the Fall session of recreation programming.
Staff are working on the winter program schedule.
Family Bonfire night is scheduled for Friday, October 17t" at Doubs Woods Park.
The band season concluded at Pen Mar Park. Donation report attached.
Staff are working with WCPS on the Tennis Court resurfacing project.
Parks Facilities staff are continuing to work on repurposing the Chinkapin Oak Tree that
fell this past April in Woodland Way Park. Maryland DNR did a study of the tree and
reported back the tree was over 250 years old.
Mr. Eshleman added the DNR Forester did a ring count and estimated the tree's age at
257 and it was sent to the Forestry Program at PSU Mont Alto and added a few more
years to it determining it is somewhere between 260 — 290+ years old.
The MLK gymnasium refurbishing project is moving forward. Hoping to be available as
a community rec center at the end of 2026.
A ribbon cutting for the new pavilion at Marty's Mythical Woods is scheduled for
Tuesday, October 28t" at 10.00 a.m.
Mr. Holsinger added on the Rec center side January — May is booking up quickly with
sports leagues and parties.
Ms. Boyd said Parks is winding down from a busy season and will start winterizing and
closing most of the parks for the Winter.
Ms. Sterner asked how the new Parks rules were received with the public since they
have been implemented. Ms. Boyd said things have gone well and the special event
policy that has been implemented has really been helpful.
Mr. Dick added the biggest issue is with the public not following the rules and dealing
with issues at the dog park. Signs will be added to the dog park to hopefully help with
ongoing issues there.
Mr. Dick also added that staff has met with Jr. League Football, Clear Spring Little
League and will be meeting with Halfway and Mr. Eshleman met with Federal Little
League.
Next Scheduled Meeting
Next scheduled Board Meeting will be held on November 6, 2025, at 3.20 pm in the
ARCC on the campus of HCC, Room 220.
Maryland Greenspace Equity Program — Grant Opportunity
The Greenspace Equity Program was created by state statute a few years ago. FY25
was the first funding year. This is a carve-out program from Program Open Space
Funding where they take money that they collect and set aside and statute how much
money they are going to fund to this program. The first year was $5 million, $7.5
million, and $10 million is what the next upcoming cycle will be. It is a competitive grant
program Statewide. One of the advantages is that it is 100% State funding and open to
eligible nonprofits and 501c3 as well who meet the requirements. The condition and
idea are to create additional park amenities in underserved communities and classified
by census districts as overburdened and underserved and there are certain parcels that
have both.
Mr. Eshleman shared with the Board a map of the Washington County boundary for
eligible project locations. In terms of eligibility there is some overlap between the other
programs, but it is very clear with the type of projects the State wants to fund as a
preferred amenity and it is up to the State as to what is funded. Anything that creates
additional green space, park space, trails, gardens, communal gathering spaces are
going to be high on the list to be funded over replacing playground equipment. The
purpose of the Program is to enhance the public health and livability of overburdened
communities and underserved communities by implementing projects to preserve,
create, and enhance community green space. This would be an opportunity for the
Ruritans in Washington County to apply for certain amenities. The notice of funding has
not been issued yet for this Fall but should be out soon with a deadline at the end of the
year. Preference will be given to projects in locations that have both underserved and
overburdened tracts. As far as Washington County and where there are projects and
opportunities try to follow things that are already in the pipeline of needs and what can
be funded through this program. Unfortunately, Marty Snook Park, Woodland Way, Mt.
Briar, Pen Mar are outside of the boundary. One opportunity that the County has that is
in the conceptual stage is the Antietam Creek Water Trail, the Roxbury Road location.
Mr. Eshleman has contacted the State and sent them a concept for leasing space for an
access park. If that would come through, that would be the leading candidate as far as
a potential County application.
Mr. Eshleman added the municipalities are aware of this grant funding opportunity, but it
is more difficult to get this information out to the nonprofits and Ruritans and this would
be a great opportunity for the Ruritans to help with the areas in the County where we do
not have park amenities. To Mr. Eshleman's knowledge there has not been a
Washington County project awarded. The County did not have anything currently that
they are working on that is eligible. The proposed North County Park would be eligible.
Unfinished Business
Mr. Eshleman updated the Board on the tennis court agreement. WCPS signed the Use
Agreement, and it will be presented to the Commissioners in open session on October
14t" and at the same meeting will present for approval of the contract for resurfacing.
Mr. Eshleman added it has been a lot of work to get to this point. Mr. Alexander will be
working with the contractor to complete the work over the next year. The USTA grant
gives a one-year limit for the projects to be completed. This includes all the school
sites. All the school sites will either be resurfaced or rehabilitated.
Discussed briefly the number of members on the Advisory Board and the process of
appointing a new member. The new bylaws will be brought before the Commissioners
in open session on October 14t" and will need to wait for their approval before
completing the media release as it includes the purpose of the Board which will be
changing in the updated bylaws. Mr. Dick said it is his goal to have a new member
appointed to the Board by January.
New Business
Mr. Michael as WCPS Supervisor of Athletics and the School Board, thanked Ms.
Sterner and HCC and Mr. Dick for accommodating Williamsport High School and
allowing them to play in the ARCC while Williamsport High School is displaced. Ms.
Sterner said it has been their pleasure to accommodate their needs. Also thanked Mr.
Dick for his time with volunteering to help with the WCPS Elementary Cross-Country
Run at Eastern Elementary School.
Ms. Sterner also appreciative of the community and Washington County Rec
Department for accommodating HCC with the use of fields for soccer practice
throughout the County while they are working hard on their soccer field to get it up to
par for game day use.
Mr. Eshleman asked Mr. Michael how the second season of flag football is going at
WCPS. Mr. Michael said it is going well. With so many participating in the sport, half of
the schools have created B level teams so more girls could participate in the program.
Hancock has also talked about starting a team. It has passed at the State level with the
executive council and in December at the Board of Control it will become a State sport.
As far as the State of Maryland, PG County, Calvert, Charles and South Maryland are
on board and a couple more teams in Baltimore County and Howard County are going
to start a program in the next few weeks so they are ready to go next year. There will
be playoffs and semifinals will take place at M&T Bank on Friday, November 7 and
Saturday, November will be the championship games.
Mr. Eshleman asked if there has been any issue to balance practice field space at the
schools. Mr. Michael said he has not heard many issues regarding practice fields but
trying to find a balance with when to play the actual games whether it is before or after
JV football games, especially after it becomes a varsity sport.
Adjournment
With no further discussion, asked for a motion to adjourn. Eric Michael made a motion
to adjourn; Mike Tesla seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 3.57 pm.
Amy Sterner, Chair Jeannine Miller McVicker
Washington County Recording Secretary— Washington Co.
Parks & Recreation Board Parks & Recreation