The highly anticipated park project planned for Dunkirk was discussed during the Calvert County Commissioners’ Tuesday, June 17 meeting. The brief work session was led by Parks and Recreation Division Chief Doug Meadows, Natural Resources Division Chief Karyn Molines and Charlie Bailey of the firm Mahan Rykiel Associates Inc. Earlier this year the commissioners awarded a $96,000 contract to the Baltimore-based firm to prepare a master plan for the proposed park on 209-acres off Ward Road.
The work session was held five days after a well-attended public meeting at Northeast Community Center in Chesapeake Beach was conducted regarding the project. Meadows reported that about 100 people were in attendance.
Bailey reported that the firm has conducted an analysis of the tract—examining topography and soils, as well as drainage or forest delineation.
“We’ve got a really good base to work from,” said Bailey, who noted the parcel has over 100 species of trees.
While there were indications during the public meeting that there is public support for building an indoor facility and an amphitheater on the site, Meadows admitted, “it’s the trails” for hiking and biking that have generated the most enthusiasm among the public.
“My sense is everybody’s going to get something that they want,” said Bailey.
“Our goal is not to duplicate Dunkirk Park,” said Meadows.
Two commissioners—Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr. [R] and Susan Shaw [R]—both admitted they liked the idea of building an amphitheater at the site.
“It would be the perfect place,” said Shaw.
“This [park] is not just for ball fields,” said Slaughenhoupt, who observed that tourism events could be held at the amphitheater and local church groups could also use the facility.
Commissioner Gerald W. “Jerry” Clark [R] asked if any consideration had been given to locating an outdoor pool at the park, similar to the one at Cove Point Park. Meadows admitted that, surprisingly, there has been very little clamor for such an amenity at the new park.
According to the presentation, the primary park elements would include multiple restrooms, a maintenance facility, park office, a “nature/environmental center and a covered campfire/group program area that could accommodate 150 people.
Other pl
