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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 3, 2026 Board Minutes - reviewed PARKS & RECREATION BOARD September 3, 2026 MINUTES Present Absent With Reason Amy Sterner Lori Sines Julie Sanders Dwayne Freeman Jeff Cline Eric Michael Mike Tesla Tom Hoffman Chair, Amy Sterner, called the meeting of the Washington County Parks & Recreation Advisory Board to order at 3.26 pm. 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; Elizabeth Phillips, Facility Administrator—Ag Center, Park & Facilities Approval of Minutes Ms. Sterner asked for any additions or corrections to the minutes of June 4, 2026, Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting. With no corrections or additions, the minutes passed as presented unanimously, 5-0 by the Board. Mike Tesla made the motion to approve the minutes; Tom Hoffman seconded the motion. Citizen's Comments Commissioner Cline thanked the Parks & Recreation Department and staff, PR Department for the spectacular Everybody's Day Event at Pen Mar Park on Sunday. Impressed with all the activities and attendance. Next Scheduled Meeting Next scheduled Board meeting will be held on October 1, 2026, at 3.20 pm. Department Reports Parks & Recreation Director's Report Mr. Dick gave the P&R Director's Report. Also, introduced Beth Phillips, Ag Center Facility Administrator. Ag Center Update Washington County celebrated its 250th anniversary on July 4th. The event was very well attended; however, a thunderstorm moved through the area that evening, resulting in the cancellation of the scheduled drone show. The drone show has been rescheduled for September 26 at the Ag Center complex. The Ag Expo-County Fair was held in July and was well attended. The Ag Center also hosted several other events, including the Tri-State Wine Festival, tractor pulls, Augustoberfest, Spud Fest, the Fur Traders Expo, and the Rural Heritage Museum's annual Spud Fest. Black Rock Golf Course Update Black Rock Golf Course has remained busy throughout the summer with regular rounds and tournaments. The Maintenance staff have done an excellent job keeping the course green, playable, and in good condition despite the summer weather. Construction is continuing with the Golf Learning Center, plans underway for a groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mr. Eshleman added that the Commissioners approved the contract for the covered portion of the driving range and storage building and the portion of the contracted work started this Fall. The high school golf season is currently in progress at Black Rock Golf Course. Parks & Recreation Update Marty Snook Pool has had a successful summer season and is scheduled to remain open through Labor Day weekend. The Washington County Humane Society's Pooch Plunge is scheduled for September 11. The pool has experienced some mechanical issues, which staff are currently addressing. Staff have also begun the design phase for planned upgrades to the pool, with the goal of beginning that project this winter. Park Improvements and Construction Hardcourt resurfacing projects have been completed at: • Regional Park • Pleasant Valley Park • Chestnut Grove Park Hardcourt surfacing projects will begin soon at: • Clear Spring Park • Marty Snook Park • Tammany Manor Park • Western Heights Middle School • Woodland Way Park Staff also worked with Washington County Public Schools to complete hardcourt resurfacing at the tennis courts at: • Williamsport High School • South Hagerstown High School • North Hagerstown High School • Clear Spring High School • Smithsburg High School • Boonsboro High School (not complete —working on fencing) Security gate projects will begin this fall at Marty Snook, Regional, and Pen Mar Parks. Construction has begun on the inclusive playground at Marty Snook Park. Staff are also continuing to work with the Burnside Bruisers on upgrades to the Chestnut Grove ballfield. Working with PR on a time capsule that will be dedicated by the County this month at Marty Snook Park on September 29tn Pen Mar Park The Summer Concert Series at Pen Mar Park has been going well, with concerts scheduled to conclude at the end of September. This past weekend, the County held its annual end-of-summer event, Everybody's Day at Pen Mar Park. The event was very well attended and included a variety of activities, including: • A community run • Children's games • Reptile shows • Petting zoo • Dance contest • Magic show • Potomac Indian Dancers demonstration • Carousel rides • Lemonade Drinking Contest Summer Recreation Programs The summer camp program had another successful summer. The program averaged 216 children per week, with participation at the following locations: • Rockland Woods: 39 children • Marty Snook: 70 children • Maugansville: 53 children • Williamsport: 54 children The Summer Basketball League had 51 teams with more than 700 participating. Additional summer recreation participation included: • Youth Swim Lessons: 206 participants • Youth Sports: 132 participants • Adult Fitness Programs: 293 participants Ms. Sterner asked about the perceived issues with the tennis courts and if they have been resolved. Mr. Eshleman added that most of the complaints were primarily concentrated on the North High tennis courts. After the work is completed at Boonsboro the contractor committed to revisit North High and complete a flood test and improve upon it the best they can. USTA technical staff evaluates and prioritizes the amount of money spent on each location and what they qualify for, and the contractor wants to have a product that the community enjoys and stands behind. All the stakeholders from the County, High Schools, USTA are comfortable with the courts, and it meets the requirements and the needs of the schools and community. And the County was reimbursed by USTA for the completed projects. Unfinished Business — Park Project Updates Marty Snook Playground Old playground equipment has been removed, and site work is underway. New equipment will be installed on September 14. County staff will complete much of the remaining work and coordinate with contractors on sidewalks and fencing. The goal is to finish the project before Thanksgiving and the onset of winter. Woodland Way The playground piece of the tree needs to be finished and will try to do something special with that and install a small pavilion that was constructed. County staff that have been working on the project at Woodland Way have also been working on another project, The George Washington Statue, which is in front of the Courthouse and will be unveiled on Sunday, September 6t" at noon. Will resume work at Woodland Way after the statue project is complete. Antietam Water Trail A bid opening for the site at Antietam Drive and Security Rd, will bring that forward to the Commissioners on September 15t" with construction starting there. Town of Fu n kstown Grand opening of Jerusalem Park located at W Poplar Street. The project was supported by the P&R Board and Program Open Space. Open to the public with a pavilion and bathrooms. Still waiting on playground equipment and creek access. Regional Park Trail A multiple year project, approved by the Commissioners. Bridge has been purchased to cross the small stream. Hope to have under construction late Fall through Winter and Spring. Big project with almost 2 miles of trail and new parking area. A lot of years of planning and grants tied into the project. Multi-purpose Field at Marty Snook Park — Irrigation improvements Hoping to go out to bid by the end of September for irrigation water cannons that will be in the corners of the field and a turf management program underway as well. New Business Formation of a North County Park Planning Committee and Master Plan Mr. Eshleman presented to the Board a draft document of a park master plan outline for North County Park. This is a project that has been discussed for many years. Washington County is initiating the master planning process for the development of a new North County Regional Park. The park will be located on approximately 83 acres of property owned by Amrize, LLC, a cement manufacturing company, and will be made available to Washington County under a 99-year lease. The property is bounded by Leitersburg Pike (MD 60) to the west and the future Eastern Boulevard Extended and Old Forge Road to the south. The Park Master Plan will establish a long-range vision and framework for the use, development, and management of the property. The plan will identify the recreational needs of the community, establish a proposed program of park and facilities and amenities, evaluate alternative development concepts, and provide a framework for implementation and construction phasing. The master planning process is intended to provide a comprehensive and community- informed approach to development of the park while ensuring consistency with Washington County's overall parks and recreation goals, the County Comprehensive Plan, and the Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan (LPPRP). Mr. Eshleman reviewed the draft document with the Board. Looking for feedback from the Board as to who should serve on the committee and work with other interested organizations whether that be sports leagues, neighborhood associations, business organizations to get input and work through the process where the draft plan is developed and sharing with the public all the way up through the Planning Commission and the Commissioners with the purpose so there aren't questions when the first phase is started. The Master Plan will also help on the planning side with grants to show what is being planned, the vision, and why money is needed and how it fits into a larger project. Mr. Eshleman added County staff met with Frederick County Parks & Rec and got a lot of good information from them as they have been going through a lot of master park planning themselves. Ms. Sterner feels it is a well done, thought-out first draft. Talked in length about making commitments to organizations, whether it be baseball or soccer, and what that will look like. Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Michael added it would be nice to have a stadium where multi- sports and multiple groups could play and be positive for the County. From the staff's perspective, the first phase would be entrances, primary parking and building a public use facility first. Mr. Eshleman is looking for edits, feedback from the Board on the draft plan. There is several million dollars available from money being built up and re-allocated. Would like to get started on design and first phase. Mr. Eshleman expressed his desire to own the land rather than a 99-year lease, but right now the opportunity is not present to do so. Ms. Sterner encouraged the Board to forward feedback to Mr. Eshleman and keep things moving with the draft. Closed Session Tom Hoffman, seconded by Eric Michael, moved to convene in closed session at 4.08 pm. The motion was passed unanimously (5-0). To consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto; • Discussion of acquisition of potential parkland property In closed session, the Board discussed; and/or reached a consensus regarding: • Acquisition of potential parkland property Present during closed session were Commissioner Jeffrey A Cline, Amy Sterner, Chair P&R Board; Julie Sanders, Vice-Chair— P&R Board; Eric Michael/WCPS, P&R Board Member; Tom Hoffman, P&R Board Member; Mike Tesla, P&R Board Member; Andrew Eshleman, Director of Public Works; Jaime Dick, Director or Parks & Recreation; Rob Holsinger, Recreation Supervisor; Travis Allen, Comprehensive Planner; Pam Boyd, Parks Manager; Elizabeth Phillips; Facilities Administrator. Reconvene in Open Session Tom Hoffman, seconded by Eric Michael, moved to reconvene in open session at 4:15pm. The motion was passed unanimously (5-0). Mr. Dick informed the Board that the Parks and Recreation Department was named in a will and received a $131,000 check. It came from an attorney handling the estate. Mr. Dick and Mr. Eshleman met with the County finance department and the check has been deposited. Mr. Dick said the goal is to reach out to the family and get some history about the individual who made the donation. After the information is obtained, will share the information with the Parks & Recreation Board. Also brought to the Board's attention, Board member, Lori Sines, teaching schedule has changed and will no longer be able to be available to attend the board meetings at the scheduled time. She inquired as to what the next steps would be for her. It was a consensus by the Board members present that it would interfere with other obligations they have if meetings were moved to a later time. Mr. Dick said he would reach out to Lori. 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 4.20 pm. Amy Sterner, Chair Jeannine Miller McVicker Washington County Recording Secretary Parks & Recreation Board Washington Co Parks & Recreation Board