[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6362206,"mediaKeyId","2168458-78cbff5321fe90edb3e985754d521beb","parentId",2168458,"title","Board hears trail, park restroom and field lighting updates; executive session planned for parkland acquisition","audioSeconds",214,"startMs",2985000,"endMs",3199000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168458-78cbff5321fe90edb3e985754d521beb&start=2985&end=3199","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168458-78cbff5321fe90edb3e985754d521beb/thumbnail_2985000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6362206/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-hears-trail-park-restroom-and-field-lighting-updates-executive-session-planned-for-parkland-acquisition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362206-197f7a6f9c30ceb5160c3555b9dd4bcf/orig.mp4?Expires=1773615778&Signature=YptJ1nokmMb0HMP65BKUSnN5JWAif7qo9-ONszLXrTAfqiMAMqwU4xcNLICZqzZBlrviHg5MX~wXRF9oz0pTzH0opNOeEbB8EMNAIY-a8Ex7nemUdtyKIqgkin86PzlUpPIwHz-8DSOZP2VJgJhPyhpSoNh5qoDNCAYH8y-wJ-GFjYOO6ryHH4~neRpv2GMb7V~I6CMYZIcRXtmb04n32DRYESHWbHDVIK5dq7TwRhBX8MnUAUgpyMoWiKxJKGcpP20H3Nn-ZiyJ4M~oalnQgNnsDUrdiD~a-2ofJ9kuZXA4n0P1ieOAXEQII~Q0cLJKqysU48RbqV8uUm7eHa0m8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-01-30T17:03:02Z","article","Board members received a series of capital project updates at the April 3 Recreation and Parks Board meeting, including progress on trail segments, park restroom construction and field lighting, and were advised an executive session would follow to discuss a possible land acquisition for a central county park.

Trail work and developer contributions
Staff reported completion of a short section of the 3 Notch Trail installed by Wildwood Residential as part of a condominium project. Department staff said they had submitted plans for county-built sections (from Walmart to Peg Road and the Laurel Grove to Route 5 segment) and hoped to advertise the county contract for bids in the coming weeks. Staff also said some developers had paid fees in lieu of constructing trail segments; those fees will fund future trail sections tied to roadway improvements.

7th District Park restroom and paving
The board was told a new restroom building opened at 7th District Park, replacing portable toilets for users of the baseball and softball fields. Staff said paving for the park’s road and parking areas is scheduled to proceed, with completion expected later this month.

Chancellors Run field lighting
At Chancellors Run, staff reported most light poles for two multi‑use fields were in place. During installation one pole fell and broke a fixture; replacement fixtures were ordered and staff expect SMECO (the local electric cooperative) to run service so the lights will be operational later in the month.

Executive session: Central County Parkland
Staff told the board they would go into executive session to discuss more detailed information about a potential Central County parkland acquisition; no land details were discussed in open session. The executive session was scheduled immediately after the public meeting portion.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/3/2008 Recreation and Parks Board","oneSentenceSummary","The Recreation and Parks Board received updates on the 3 Notch Trail, a new restroom at 7th District Park, and lighting installation at Chancellors Run fields; members were told an executive session will follow to discuss potential Central County parkland acquisition.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County, Maryland","taxId",51086,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6362210,"County creates Department of Human Services; community services funding moves out of Recreation and Parks",147,95000,242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168458-78cbff5321fe90edb3e985754d521beb&start=95&end=242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168458-78cbff5321fe90edb3e985754d521beb/thumbnail_95000.jpg","/articles/6362210/St-Marys-County/Maryland/County-creates-Department-of-Human-Services-community-services-funding-moves-out-of-Recreation-and-Parks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362210-2700fa9cd8fbff747d9e36a3ac938636/orig.mp4?Expires=1773615778&Signature=CCYwpWIf~spANEglYPK1aZEyCkDzWp0rfxpODehE7j3ynuERfrXZmrSoV61mRvUKm0DVXu738swXFN9~q7voFdgzgbZPFYDQoW~e7gGY0gVNjb942SkRCD0O0lJj946y3aln-IxmGOO0V5Hz4tyTi-dF9N8nMRBrNlW5T7mmMUZ3daayWS-655kGuUfvsgrHscKckReqqmG9OILXBhYL8XcnBoQcFI9d8HSbysi9NHa0g3pB1GfQDnlc7Rvstoi3yji0sBZusxQn5LTcGInL75mRzL80PGN5yHWJJwQzxMLDXOsqZohmsBos5h1djygCMpCFs4c-OnonSkGe0RXXlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Mary’s County commissioners have created a new Department of Human Services that will take community services programs — and their associated budgets — out of the Recreation and Parks Department, staff told the Recreation and Parks Board at its April 3 meeting.

The change will take effect July 1, staff said, and a transition team is already working on the organizational move. Phil (staff) briefed the board that the reorganization transfers about $427,000 in county general fund dollars and an additional roughly $220,000 in grant funding from Recreation and Parks into the new Department of Human Services.

Why it matters: staff said the transferred funds previously supported programs that had reported through Community Services, which was merged into Recreation and Parks under a prior Board of Commissioners. The new Department of Human Services will centralize those programs and provide a single point of review for agencies and nonprofits requesting county funding.

Public process and related items
Staff told the board the recommended budget that incorporates the reorganization will go to a public hearing on Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. at Leonardtown High School. The commissioners will hold work sessions in May to finalize the budget.

The board also raised an outstanding personnel request: the Recreation and Parks Board previously sent a letter asking the commissioners to reconsider funding a park maintenance worker (groundskeeper) that was not included in the recommended budget. Phil said the commissioners would consider that request as part of the public hearing and subsequent work sessions, but staff had not received a response as of the April 3 meeting.

Board members asked questions about the operational effect on Recreation and Parks and were told the transferred dollars had been applied to human services programming and would not reduce funding for parks operations directly.

","County commissioners created a Department of Human Services effective July 1, moving Community Services programs and related funding out of the Recreation and Parks Department; staff said the move will shift about $427,000 in general fund dollars and roughly $220,000 in grant funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6362215,"Recreation board endorses reduced hours for Great Mills pool; county adds $50,000 subsidy",2110,493000,2603000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168458-78cbff5321fe90edb3e985754d521beb&start=493&end=2603","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168458-78cbff5321fe90edb3e985754d521beb/thumbnail_493000.jpg","/articles/6362215/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Recreation-board-endorses-reduced-hours-for-Great-Mills-pool-county-adds-50000-subsidy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362215-3b38dd040addb9c8e4e6e0dfece543f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773615778&Signature=CY8XYXaptWNEIFPDY-hZz-SYI~aYT-pIbIWzpiWDyRVIBIqTCkRcX39g5w6ZrsHAoGweLWJcy919ywryfuIhtQo8cvYSqtfbJPiRmoBNG6VNMexZQlpg5mUY760wCYbY1p-fCaZWKYQW-5TecQiyu78jhOfp4LnKa9zh9-s9IpHUphsu1JhNPuRFgMflM7e6FLB2soUkwqpgUT0bVJcgR-qx7pw~ZiadvgIY2cPKrO5LDlnQzh2F0EcLUk~0n~M3JARP6QDAz12Gw2wdKZeKtYpWwXHWwMu7CMJDfCokfl4-TJmrNndlIkd8Eqq4dWLnd57SyWFm7-56GbXCKYC~bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks Board on April 3 endorsed a staff recommendation to reduce weekday mid‑day hours at the Great Mills pool to lower operating losses. The board’s vote came after staff presented attendance, revenue and expense data and a set of operational changes proposed to begin in the fall season when the pool’s dome is removed.

The change responds in part to a $50,000 allocation the county commissioners included in the recommended FY2009 budget to subsidize the pool. Recreation staff said the proposal — which trims about 22 operating hours per week and shifts morning weekday programming to Monday, Wednesday and Friday only — would save roughly $23,167 in personnel costs over the season. A board member moved to endorse the proposal and the motion passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: the pool carries high fixed costs for utilities and staffing. Staff told the board that personnel and utilities make up the majority of the facility’s expenditures and that energy costs are a large driver of the operating deficit. Commissioners’ one‑time subsidy combined with the proposed hours cut would reduce, but not eliminate, the pool’s annual operating loss.

Staff presentation and figures
Arthur Shepherd, Recreation Division Manager, described the facility’s size and programming and laid out recent attendance and financial figures. He said the pool is a 25‑meter by 25‑yard facility and gave its capacity in gallons. He noted heavy utility bills during winter months: “For instance, in January, you have a $17,000 propane gas bill to keep the water at 81 degrees and the air inside the dome warm enough to be comfortable.”

Shepherd and other staff showed attendance trends: FY2006 attendance was about 38,559; FY2007 attendance declined to roughly 33,500; through the comparable period in FY2008 staff reported about 1,600 more visits than the prior year for the same months. Revenues vary through the year, staff said, and a large portion of lane rental income is driven by swim teams. Staff also reported that personnel costs represent over 50% of total expenditures and utilities about 33%.

The proposal and expected impacts
Staff proposed changing the weekday midday schedule from being open 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Monday through Friday to a reduced schedule that opens early (6 a.m.) only Monday, Wednesday and Friday and otherwise opens at 2 p.m., keeping evening hours the same. Staff estimated an annual personnel savings of about $23,167 from that change while noting the cut would not materially reduce utility costs because the pool systems (pumps, blowers and water heaters) would continue to operate to maintain the facility year‑round.

Staff stressed the approach aims to preserve the highest‑demand hours (afternoons and evenings), reduce low‑use mid‑day hours (average about 10 users per day during the 10 a.m.–2 p.m. block) and stabilize staffing patterns to reduce vacancy and turnover problems.

Programming, safety and revenue notes
Staff emphasized the program mix at the pool: lap swimmers, community swim teams (including Great Mills Aquatics Club), school teams, swim lessons, adaptive aquatic therapy and Special Olympics practices. Birthday party reservations and other event offerings were described as additional revenue sources because they introduce families to the facility and generate incremental fees.

Staff also reported two vandalism incidents to the dome this season; one incident caused a short shutdown when a light standard fell and created holes in the dome, requiring repairs before reopening. Staff said recent security upgrades, including an alarm system in the bathhouse, have reduced break‑ins.

Board action
A board member moved to accept the staff proposal to shorten weekday mid‑day hours and endorse the operational changes. The motion carried on a voice vote with members saying “aye.” The board’s endorsement will be forwarded as part of the department’s recommendations tied to the FY2009 operating plan.

What board members flagged
Members asked about alternate savings such as reducing water temperature by one degree; staff said a one‑degree reduction can lower energy costs roughly 10 percent but that the American Red Cross guidance places acceptable pool temperatures between 78°F and 82°F and that some user groups (adaptive programs, seniors, swim lessons) prefer warmer water. Members also asked whether permanent indoor construction would materially reduce utility costs; staff said a permanent indoor aquatics center requires large capital investment and that utilities would still be significant for a year‑round indoor facility.

Next steps
Staff said the proposed hours change would be implemented beginning in September when the dome is removed; pass holders who buy a seasonal or annual pass in the fall would be notified of the new hours. The department will continue marketing efforts and programming changes to increase participation and offset the operating deficit.

","The St. Mary's County Recreation and Parks Board on April 3 endorsed a staff proposal to reduce weekday mid‑day hours at the county-owned Great Mills pool to cut operating losses. County commissioners have added $50,000 to the pool budget; staff say the change will save about $23,167 in personnel costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears trail, park restroom and field lighting updates; executive session planned for parkland acquisition

County creates Department of Human Services; community services funding moves out of Recreation and Parks

Recreation board endorses reduced hours for Great Mills pool; county adds $50,000 subsidy