Recreation, Parks & Tourism

Project Open Space Update

Eileen Minnick, Director

Tim Drummond, Chief of Parks

Jacob Dyer, Chief of Budget

March 9, 2021

Program Open Space (POS)

Grant

Program Open Space (POS) symbolizes Maryland’s long-term commitment to

conserving nature resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation

opportunities

State property transfer tax of home or land sales (0.5%) funds the Program

Open Space grant

Administered funds made available to local communities for open and

recreational space by the Outdoor Recreation Land Loan of 1969 and from the

Land and Water Conservation Fund of the National Park Service, U.S.

Department of the Interior.

Program Open Space (POS)

Grant

Funds provide important financial and technical assistance for the planning, acquisition, and/or development of recreation land or open space areas within the approved local Land Preservation Parks and Recreation Plan.

Preserves natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection areas across the state.

Funds the ability to acquire outdoor recreation and open space areas for public use.

Development and construction projects: 75% State 25% Local

Property acquisition – 100%

Land Preservation, Parks, and

Recreation Plan (LPPRP)

The LPPRP is mandated by the State of Maryland and serves as a guide for the

utilization of Program Open Space grant funding.

Five (5) year planning document

Gathers data of currently available parks and recreation amenities and programs

available in Charles County, and serves as the blueprint for future enhancements

using POS funding.

Local and State approval

The LPPRP is required to be updated every 5 years, with the next revision

scheduled for 2022.

Land Preservation, Parks, and

Recreation Plan (LPPRP)

The 2017 local LPPRP lists 3 primary goals for parks services

Goal 1: Continue to maintain and develop parks, open spaces, recreation facilities,

and programming to meet the diverse needs of a growing resident and visitor user

base.

Goal 2: Develop new parks, recreation facilities, and associated amenities where

existing demand appears to be exceeding the capacity of the existing parks and

recreation system (ex: waterway recreation).

Goal 3: Continue to build an interconnected system of trails and paths throughout

the County for non-automotive use.

Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation

Plan (LPPRP) - Annual Program Plan

Program Open Space funding requires an Annual Plan of proposed projects be

submitted for State review every July 1st

Annual Plan must be consistent with the current approved local Land

Preservation and Recreation Plan (LPPRP)

Annual Plan may be revised throughout the year

2017 Summarized Level of Service

Analysis Findings

1. County population is generally youthful, well-educated, and has higher median

household income compared to state and national averages.

2. Parks, recreation, and open space infrastructure is a key community asset

directly linked to the general high quality of life in Charles County.

3. Tremendous public outdoor recreation opportunities exist in the County, but

enhancement of basic facilities and services to support participation in

recreation activities were identified as needs.

4. Existing user satisfaction is generally high. Existing demand appears to outweigh

facility/program capacity for organized sports and water access sites.

5. Expansion and improvement of Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism

facilities, programs, and supporting resources is needed to ensure the

recreational needs and expectations of residents and visitors continue to be met

or exceeded.

Program Open Space

Development/Construction Funding

White Plains Golf Course and Regional Park - $187,500

Installed new irrigation system, completed clubhouse renovations including bathroom, new snack bar and dining area, new roof, and new air conditioning unit, replaced aging playground equipment.

Pickleball Courts

Gilbert Run Regional Park - $388,500

Boardwalk design completed

Construction of boardwalk replacement to begin May 2021

Chapel Point Park - $675,000

Maryland Department of Natural Resources partnership

Phase I completed, Phase II to begin late spring 2021

Design, hunter access road, kayak launch, and improved water access

Popes Creek Phase I

Acquisition of the abandoned Popes Creek Railroad corridor was completed in 2015. Utilizing funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Trust for Public Land and Program Open Space, a total of 220 acres of waterfront, upland forest and wetlands have been preserved for the residents and Charles County.

Program Open Space Acquisition - $313,840

Design for the Popes Creek Phase I is currently under way. The proposed waterfront portion of the future Popes Creek Park system will include visitor parking, a brick walkway, a raised board walk, benches, a 90’ river-front pier, observation stations and interpretive panels highlighting the historic, natural and cultural resources.

Program Open Space Development - $731,000

FY2022 – FY2026 Capital Improvement Plan

Request for POS Support -$4,580,000*

Popes Creek Waterfront Phase II - $1,367,000

Waterman’s Heritage Museum, crabbing/fishing pier, kayak rentals and concession

stand, conference center, retail stalls, summer camp venue

Waldorf Park Development Phase I & Phase II - $3,127,000

Lighted football and soccer fields, basketball and tennis courts

Large Playground, picnic pavilions, nature and fitness trails

La Plata Farm Park Development Phase I - $86,000

Dog Park and Hiking Trail

* Includes $173,000 of funding already in the budget.

Program Open Space

Playground Revitalization Grant

Gilbert Run Regional Park - $51,000

Added zip line and new playground equipment

to existing adventure area.

Laurel Springs Regional Park - $34,500

Added new handicap wheelchair swing

(pictured).

Ruth B. Swann Park - $81,000

Added new playground equipment and shade

structures.

Bensville Park - $67,500

Added zip-line and shade structures.

2022 Land Preservation, Parks, and

Recreation Plan (LPPRP) The State of Maryland requires the LPPRP to be updated every 5 years

Scheduled to begin in Spring 2021

Local process includes:

Consultant Contracted

Community outreach

Staff, stakeholders and public perceptions

Community, partner organization Focus groups

Surveys

Planning Commission reviews and approval

Board of Commissioner reviews and approval

Final product to be complete in mid-2022

Parks & Recreation System

150+ sites provide recreation amenities

available for public use.

Over 28,000 acres of parks, recreation

facilities, and open spaces provide

opportunities for public recreation

Proximity to Parks

Measured 0-10 minute and 10–20-minute

drive times to public parks, recreation

facilities, and open spaces.

Most areas are within a 10-minute drive of at

least one park, recreation site, or open

space.

Waldorf and La Plata area have the greatest

density of recreation sites

Easier to access common facilities versus

specialized areas/amenities

Parks & Recreation System

County & Municipal

• 4,829 acres

• Community parks, recreation facilities, and open space areas

• Provides diverse sport, fitness, recreation, and leisure opportunities

State & Federal

• 19,514 acres

• State: parks, forests, and natural areas

• Federal: parks, historical/cultural sites

• Provides outdoor/natural resource-based recreation opportunities

Quasi-Public

• 3,797 acres

• Mix of sports and recreation facilities, historic/cultural sites, and park areas

• Provides varied degrees of public access use

Program Open Space (POS)

Questions?

Charles County Government

Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism8190 Port Tobacco Road • Port Tobacco, MD • 301-932-3470

Equal Opportunity Employer

www.CharlesCountyMD.gov

About Charles County GovernmentThe mission of Charles County Government is to provide our citizens the highest quality service possible in a

timely, efficient and courteous manner. To achieve this goal, our government must be operated in an open and

accessible atmosphere, be based on comprehensive long- and short-term planning and have an appropriate

managerial organization tempered by fiscal responsibility. We support and encourage efforts to grow a diverse

workplace. Charles County is a place where all people thrive and businesses grow and prosper; where the

preservation of our heritage and environment is paramount; where government services to its citizens are provided

at the highest level of excellence; and where the quality of life is the best in the nation.

It is the policy of Charles County to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of race, color,

sex, age, national origin, religious or political affiliation or opinion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation,

genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected by law.