La Plata, MD – When it comes to providing recreation opportunities for its citizens, Charles County is doing an outstanding job, but more could be done. Those were the findings of Adam Bossi, project manager for consultant GreenLand LTD, who told the Charles County Commissioners during a public hearing on land preservation and recreation and parks Tuesday, July 18 that the county does an outstanding job with parks.
“In the agriculture and natural resource land sections, because you just completed the 2016 Comprehensive Plan, there wasn’t much there for us to update,” Bossi said. “A lot of the content already mimics what is in the comp plan.”
Since 2012, Charles County has placed 9,500 acres to a land resource base for parks, and has set aside 26,000 acres for recreation, something he called, “a significant accomplishment.
“You’ve done quite well,” Bossi noted. “The county and its municipalities seem to provide diverse offerings.”
There are a large number of baseball fields and hiking trails, but limited water access continues to be a concern, he added.
One important thing to note, he said, is that participation in county recreation activities is high.
“Lots of people are taking advantage of programs run through the county’s recreation and park department,” he said.
He said sports, fitness, outdoor activities come in at a high rate in the county, and generates approximately $72.4 million annually for the county, most of that in participation fees and park admission fees.
“The county is doing a really good job providing recreational activities where people live,” Bossi said.
“There was a concern that water access is something the county should recognize as they move forward,” he added. “As the population rises, there will be a need to improve the infrastructure. We will have the need to create new amenities.”
Tara Carlson of Waldorf spoke in favor of increased water access, asking the county to consider wildlife corridors near the hiking trails and to establish a plan for invasive species.
Bonnie Bick of Oxon Hill asked for the county to consider outdoor open classrooms for teaching school children about the environment and also promoted an inter-connective trail system.
Laurie Snow from Bryans Road said she also agrees with, “recent suggestions to provide water access to any development. This would help DNR [Maryland Department of Natural Resources] address comments about lack of water access.”
Snow also asked if the county could provide residents to find more information about resources. “As a user, it is hard to find information about the local parks,” she said. “That would be an asset.”
Charles County Commissioner Ken Robinson [D-District 1] made a motion to keep the record open for five business days until July 25. The motion was seconded and approved.
The plan is scheduled to go before the commissioners for a vote Aug. 1.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com