Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 5 2026 Board Minutes PARKS & RECREATION BOARD February 5, 2026 MINUTES Present Absent With Reason Amy Sterner Jeff Cline Julie Sanders Eric Michael Dwayne Freeman Mike Tesla Lori Sines Chair, Amy Sterner, called the meeting of the Washington County Parks & Recreation Advisory Board to order at 3.21 pm. Guests were Jaime Dick, Director of Parks & Recreation; Rob Holsinger, Recreation Supervisor; Travis Allen, Comprehensive Planner; Pam Boyd, Parks Manager; Tim Alexander, Assistant Parks Supervisor; Eric Deike, Director of Public Works, City of Hagerstown; Rachel Souders, Town Manager, Town of Boonsboro; Tom Hoffman, member elect. Approval of Minutes Ms. Sterner asked for any additions or corrections to the minutes of January 8, 20267 Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting. With no corrections or additions, the minutes passed as presented unanimously, 5-0 by the Board. Eric Michael made the motion to approve the minutes, and Lori Sines seconded the motion. Citizen's Comments Ms. Sterner introduced Mr. Tom Hoffman, member elect to the Board. In their regular meeting on February 3, 2026, the Board of County Commissioners voted to appoint Thomas Hoffman to serve his first, full three-year term, from February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2029, on the Washington County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The Board of County Commissioners also voted to reappoint Julie Sanders to serve a third, full three-year term, from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2029. Program Open Space Presentations Town of Boonsboro Rachel Souders, Town Manager, from the Town of Boonsboro presented the POS request for FY2027. Park Name: Shafer Park Project Name: Boonsboro Dog Park POS Funds Requested: $62,984 Local Funds: $7,000 Total Project Cost: $69,984 The Boonsboro Park Board would like to install a permanent dog park in Shafer Park. In 2023, after receiving multiple requests for a dog park, the Mayor & Council and Park Board decided to install a temporary dog park to meet immediate need and determine future demand. The temporary park has experienced heavy usage of increasing frequency over the past two years, and the Park Board has identified a permanent structure as one of their top project priorities. The application for funding is to install six- foot-high chain link fencing in place of the current 300 linear feet of temporary fencing, and to install an additional 420 LF, resulting in total play area of 21,000 square feet. Due to park patron feedback and advice from neighboring municipalities with dog parks, the new/permanent dog park with be split into two sides — one for small dogs (weight 30 pounds or less) and one of large dogs (weighing more than 30 pounds). The Town feels that there will be even greater need for a dog park overtime. A disc golf course is underway, so providing a safe, enclosed space for dogs to run while disc golfers play will be a tremendous benefit to both parties. Events in Shafer Park are growing each year, and a dog park would ensure that dogs have a dedicated play area that won't be encroached upon by event expansion. There will be a water fountain with a bottle refill station, ADA compatible fountain and a dog bowl fountain that will be installed as well. Shafer Park is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk all year round. This will not change during the project period or after. The dog park will be free and open to everyone. There is a temporary shade structure at the far end of the park that is taken down in the winter months, and plan is to get an additional shade structure or a larger shade structure. Mr. Dick asked if the Town had any future proposed plans for POS beyond FY27. Ms. Souders said there are no approved site plans in work other than the housing that is under way by Weis Market in Boonsboro. Also, there is a developer that is looking at their annexed vacant properties for 1500 homes, and the largest property would back up to the dog park. Ms. Souders thanked the Board for their time. City of Hagerstown Erike Deike, Public Works Director, from the City of Hagerstown presented the POS request for FY2027. Park Name: Ridge Avenue Playground Project Name: Replace Playground Equipment POS Funds Requested: $135,000 Local Funds: $15,000 Total Project Cost: $150,000 Ridge Avenue Playground is an existing 1.409-acre playground located in a small, residential section of the City of Hagerstown. Amenities such as playground equipment, swings, a pavilion, and a basketball court (half-court) are contained in the south end of the playground. The remainder of the space is an open field for activities such as soccer, kickball, or other such activities. The residential area itself has limited pedestrian access to other parks and playgrounds due to its geographical location. Wesel Blvd borders the south end, Burhans Blvd runs along the east, a railroad line runs across the north, and an industrial park has been developed to the west. City Park, a 65-acre park, is literally within a "stone's throw" of this community. However, multiple railroad lines and chain link fencing prevent direct access to this park from the Ridge Avenue community. The proposed project is to replace the aging, primary playground set. The entire set shows signs of wear and tear plus fading of colors from continual UV light exposure. The playground set contains the usual climbing components, slides, and covers for all types of ages and sizes of children. The installation of a new playground structure will ensure the children of this community, their friends, and family will have a safe and modern setup for many years to come. Public access can be achieved through a variety of means including public sidewalks to the community, and numerous public street options including Ridge Ave., Chase St., and Center Street. The playground is not fenced and, therefore, access is available along any part of the playground. The existing playground structure has not been funded through POS or CP&P. Park Name: Fairgrounds Park Project Name: Construct Skatepark Shade Structure POS Funds Requested: $36,000 Local Funds: $4,000 Total Project Cost: $40,000 The skatepark is a very popular amenity located with Fairgrounds Park. The skatepark includes multiple flat rails, gaps, halfpipes, bowl, and a pump track to challenge skaters and bikers from beginners to those with more enhanced skills. On Saturday, September 10, 2022, the City held a grand opening of the skatepark. The skatepark was the vision of local skaters who joined a task force set up by the City of Hagerstown. First committee meeting was in September of 2020. It only took 2 short years to create a vision, raise funding, design, and ultimately construct this fantastic amenity for the community. Fairgrounds Park continues to evolve as does the skatepark. The skatepark got off to a great start, and users of this facility continue to present requests and ideas to improve the space. There is currently only 1 small shade structure on site. The request is to construct 1 additional shade structure somewhere along the skatepark for the skaters, bikers, or observers of those using the park. Prior POS, CP&P, and LPPI grants funded roof replacements of the grandstand, staples, and concession stand within Fairgrounds Park. Grand funding also funded pavilions, play equipment, park benches, irrigation, lighting, outdoor gym equipment, and indoor Fit Room, and the skatepark itself(POS Project 7309-21-408). Additional enhancements for this park encourage additional users of this large (+68 acres) of open space. Public access can be achieved through a variety of means including public sidewalks within the surrounding community, public sidewalks to that community, and numerous public streets (Cannon Ave. and Cleveland Ave. primarily). There is also a public walking trail that connects to Pangborn Park which is another City Park. The majority of Fairgrounds Park is not fenced. The areas that are fenced still provide for limited access. Currently, there is not a proposed location for the shade structure. Will work with the current skaters who are very active in the park that made the request for the shade structure. Looking into expanding the concrete around the bowl and other areas because there is not a large area for spectators to watch. Will be using other funding for that. The City also provided a list of proposed POS projects in a 5-year plan. They will request CP&P money as well for some of those projects as they come up but it takes almost a year to find out if they will be rewarded with the money. Mr. Deike is very thankful for the POS money they have received over the years, and they have been able to complete a lot of great projects with that money and grateful for that. With Mr. Eshleman's help, The City was able to acquire land acquisition through POS for an access ramp at Mt. Aetna Bridge for the Antietam Creek Waterway Trail — Creek Access. The acquisition was to buy an easement for phase 11 which is on the downstream side to go through private property. Mr. Deike thanked the Board for their time. Department Reports Parks & Recreation Director's Report Mr. Dick gave the P&R Director's Report. Black Rock Golf Course Update The course has been closed since the snow/ice event from January 25t"/26tn The simulator and restaurant remain open to the public. The simulator was funded through POS approximately 5 years ago and it has been determined it needs to be upgraded. The Golf Board agreed to the upgrade. Maintenance is continuing to work on the tree/bunker projects but is slow right now because of the weather. The staff& the Golf Board is working on design, work timeline & fundraising for the Golf Learning Center. There will be a groundbreaking ceremony sometime this Spring. Ag Ed Center Update The County Business Development Department hosted their Ground Hog Day event this past weekend at the facility. Staff are continuing to work on the new pole barn project we hope to have operational by the first spring event. There is still electrical and site work that needs to be done. Staff is working on the planning of the 250t" Celebration which is schedule for July 4t" at the facility. Quad State Beerfest is the first major outdoor event scheduled for March 14tn The Rural Heritage Village & Museum Open House will be on March 28tn Parks & Recreation Update Staff worked on the snow/ice event on January 25t"/26t" to get the parks open. Winter maintenance is ongoing by removing dead trees, refurbishing picnic tables and CIP projects. 7 softball tournaments are scheduled for this Spring/Summer for Marty Snook & Pinesburg Parks. Halfway Little League will be hosting the Maryland Little League State Tournament in July. Continuing to be in our Winter Program session and working on rescheduling from the snow event. Staff are working on the Spring/Summer program guide development. Staff met with City officials to go over planning for the St. Patrick's Day Run Fest. Staff are working on summer staff recruitment for pool staff, park attendants, summer camps & leagues. Upcoming events February 13t"- Youth Paint Night February 27t" — Superhero Party March 14t" — St. Patrick's Day Run Fest April 6t" — Kite Day at Regional Park Mr. Michael asked about Summer League Basketball. Mr. Holsinger said planning to have Summer League Basketball and plan to give Girls Flag Football another try again this Summer. Mr. Dick said not planning to have Summer League Soccer this Summer. Mr. Freeman added that he is the Regional Director for 1A/2A West and offered this help with Girls Flag Football with getting information out, etc. Mr. Michael suggested also reaching out to Frederick County as well. Mr. Dick and the Board talked about the desire to have turf fields in the County. Next Scheduled Meeting Next scheduled Board meeting will be held on March 5, 2026, at 3.20 pm in the ARCC on the campus of HCC, Room 220. Unfinished Business Ms. Sines asked for an update on the tennis courts. Mr. Alexander said work will tentatively commence in May at the school sites and tentatively at the end of April at County Park's sites. Will have to wait until tennis season is over at the schools and align with the athletic directors before the anticipated work will commence at the end of May for all WCPS sites. Ms. Sterner asked if there was an update for the playground equipment at Marty Snook Park. Ms. Boyd said there is a meeting scheduled next week to go over the grading and issues that they are working through. The purchase order for the equipment has gone through and it is moving forward. Ms. Boyd also added the playground equipment at Woodland should be in early March and will move forward with that. New Business No new business was discussed. Ms. Sterner encouraged the Board Members to be engaged and ask questions of the presenters during the POS process. Adjournment With no further discussion, Ms. Sterner asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Lori Sines 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 Parks & Recreation Board Washington Co Parks & Recreation Board