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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 4, 2026 Board Minutes - reviewed PARKS & RECREATION BOARD June 4, 2026 MINUTES Present Absent With Reason Amy Sterner Julie Sanders Jeff Cline Eric Michael Dwayne Freeman Mike Tesla Lori Sines Tom Hoffman Chair, Amy Sterner, called the meeting of the Washington County Parks & Recreation Advisory Board to order at 3:19pm. Guests were Jaime Dick, Director of Parks & Recreation; Andrew Eshleman, Public Works Director; Rob Holsinger, Recreation Supervisor; Travis Allen, Comprehensive Planner; Pam Boyd, Parks Manager; Tim Alexander, Assistant Parks Supervisor Approval of Minutes Ms. Sterner asked for any additions or corrections to the minutes of May 7, 2026, Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting. With no corrections or additions, the minutes passed as presented unanimously, 6-0 by the Board. Mike Tesla made the motion to approve the minutes; Tom Hoffman seconded the motion. Citizen's Comments No one appeared for Citizen's comments. Burnside Bruisers Baseball Club Jack Bentley, President, and Bobby Riggs, Board Member and coach from the Burnside Bruisers Baseball Club, came before the Board today to introduce themselves, their background with the Club, and their desire for an MOU and priority rights to the field at Chestnut Grove Park. The Club is a local non-profit travel baseball organization from the Sharpsburg/Boonsboro area. The Club was formed in 2023 to advance the need for youth sports, specifically baseball and softball, in South County. What started with one team of local kids has grown each year with the current season having 4 teams (8U, 9U, 10U, and 12U) offering higher level year-round baseball instruction and competition. They created their first baseball field at Fairplay Ruritan and have self-funded the improvements and renovations over the years. Since the Club has grown, they have had a need for a larger field for the older kids and additional space to facilitate multiple teams. They also have players who come from outside of Washington County to play in their organization. The Club saw the field at Chestnut Grove Park as a wonderful asset that was not currently being utilized and started communications with Pam Boyd two years ago to secure it as an alternative option for their organization. After a few meetings developed a working relationship with the County and this spring have been using the field for the 12U team games and practices. The Club has recently obtained their 501 c3 status, hoping that will allow them to tap into grant opportunities. Their goal for the future is to have the ability to host tournaments at Chestnut Grove Park. Asks from the County consist of: • Dirt (additional dirt for the field (after any rain there is significant pooling water between 2nd and 3rd bases which causes game cancellations due to the field being unplayable) • Batting cages (organization is willing to pay for the actual netting for the cages but need level ground to install) • Scoreboard (would like to replace the nonworking scoreboard in the outfield on the first base side) Club willing to pay for the scoreboard but need assistance from the County with permits and electricity • Bugs (flies and gnats) — significant impact. Would like to work with the County in having the area sprayed regularly • Press box (access to press box to use the scoreboard) • Concession stand (use of concession stand for tournaments) • Multi-year partnership/agreement for exclusive rights to the field Mr. Riggs feels hosting tournaments at Chestnut Grove Park would have an economic impact on the area for the smaller stores in the area. The club would also like to turn the lower field at the park, which is currently not a playable field, into a playable field as well for baseball and softball. That would be a 1- 3-year project to get it to a playable condition. Ms. Sines addressed parking as an issue at the facility when hosting tournaments. The Club's solution would be to limit the number of teams for the tournaments if need be. Mr. Dick also addressed the use of the other amenities like the pavilion being used in the park by other patrons and the use of bathrooms when the club is using the field for tournaments and the impact that would have. The Club's solution would be to exclusively rent the entire park (pavilion) on tournament days. Mr. Riggs added the batting cages and fields would be open to the public when they are not using. Mr. Eshleman asked if this was only a summer travel team serving South County players or progressing to a year-round commitment and serving a broader geographic area. Mr. Riggs said they are serving Washington County as well as Western Maryland and have players from Frederick County as well. It is a year-round program with practices at indoors facilities in the winter and Fall tournaments in the Fall. Mr. Dick expressed his concern with a travel team and the decline of numbers with Little League numbers, etc. and the County maintaining the fields and amenities if the club dissolves. Mr. Riggs added that they would have their schedule out in advance so it would not interfere with other reservations, etc. in the Park. Mr. Dick thanked the Club for presenting today. The Board will discuss and will have continued communication with the club moving forward. Department Reports Parks & Recreation Director's Report Mr. Dick gave the P&R Director's Report. Ag Center Update The Department's new Facility Administrator, Beth Phillips, started last week. Currently replacing the fencing along the property line in the lot adjacent to the Center that is used for parking events. The next project planned is to add 6 RV Parking lots with electric behind the kennel building. The spaces will be rented. Planning is ongoing for the 250t" Celebration scheduled for July 4t" at the Center. Pickle Fest was a success with over 7,000 people attending. Black Rock Golf Course Update The month of May there was 4,182 rounds of golf at the Course. Seven tournaments were held in the month of May. Staff have done a great job maintaining the Course. It is in excellent shape. Parks & Recreation Update Preparation is underway for summer camp, swimming lessons, sports clinics & sports leagues. Summer camp registrations are currently at 863. Swim participants are at 119. The summer basketball league has 56 teams registered. Installation of the new pavilion at Woodland Way Park is underway. The pool is open to the public on the weekends. There are now debt and cc services. Tennis court project is going well. The Department held a ribbon cutting for the new Veterans Memorial in Marty Snook Park this past Saturday. Certificates of Recognition were presented to Sweeney Masonry and Washington County Technical High School for their contributions to the project. Special thanks to Buildings, Grounds, Facilities Department for providing labor and project management. Girls on the Run hosted a 5k at Marty Snook Park on May 30tn Pen Mar Summer Concert Series kicked off this past Sunday and will run until the end of September. Tim Alexander, Assistant Park Supervisor, gave the Board a tennis court update on the current projects completed and under construction and a look ahead with the next round of courts. Currently, Regional and Pleasant Valley have been milled and paved. Color coding will begin the week of the 15tn Below are the tentative dates for the tennis court resurfacing projects: • Week of June 8t" Marty Snook & Chestnut Grove Parks • Week of June 15t" Regional & Pleasant Valley Parks will continue work • Week of June 22nd North, South & Smithsburg. Boonsboro demo will take place • Week of June 29t" Hancock, Clear Spring & Williamsport Western Heights and Woodland Way are not in the current project scope. They will be in the upcoming project scope. Both of those sites currently are exclusively tennis. Looking to do similar work of resurfacing and crack repair, update color coding and striping. Mr. Alexander opened for discussion as to whether to keep the courts exclusively tennis or potentially make one or none of the courts exclusively pickleball or add pickleball lines to the courts. Mr. Eshleman added with the caveat that USTA pays for up to 50% for tennis only with tennis youth lines. With pickleball, it would be County only. There are funds regardless of which scenario. Both locations have close proximity to residential areas and would be a consideration with noise, etc. with pickleball. Mr. Alexander added that anytime he has been at Woodland Way Park there is always someone playing tennis. Mr. Alexander added that there are pickleball courts that are receiving resurfacing work as well. Mr. Eshleman also added the 2 tennis courts at Western Heights are rarely used and if decided to go with the pickleball route exclusively there could be 6 pickleball courts. Have not spoken with the City of Hagerstown yet and this will be in next year's cycle of projects, but if there is a strong opinion either way or guidance looking for feedback from the Board. Discussion about tennis and pickleball courts in the County in general, specifically the courts at Western Heights, even though they haven't been used in quite some time, the impact it could have on the residents if turned into pickleball courts with parking, noise, etc. Next Scheduled Meeting Next scheduled Board meeting will be held on September 3, 2026, at 3.20 pm. The Board decided to go off site for the meeting and have the meeting at the Ag Center. Lengthy discussion about the Burnside Bruisers Baseball Club and their asks of the County and the Board's concerns, especially with a travel baseball team. The Club is very motivated and looking forward to a partnership with the County. Looking for feedback and input from the Board regarding upgrades and potential partnership with the Baseball Club. The Board feels it is prudent to make the field functional for the Club but is cautious in making any kind of long-term commitment with a MOU. The Board expressed interest in the installation of batting cages. Staff will continue to work with the Baseball Club and give the Board an update in the Fall. The Board is encouraged to reach out by email if there are any thoughts or concerns. Unfinished Business The Program Open Space schedule will be presented to the County Commissioners on June 9t". Final application will be sent to DNR and July 1st project applications can be formally submitted and start their projects. DNR will make their Greenspace Equity Grant announcements mid-to-late June. New Business No new business was discussed. Adjournment With no further discussion, Ms. Sterner asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Eric Michael made the motion to adjourn; Mike Tesla seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 4.24 pm. Amy Sterner, Chair Jeannine Miller McVicker Washington County Recording Secretary Parks & Recreation Board Washington Co Parks & Recreation Board