[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6362212,"mediaKeyId","2168455-0b4003c6f1212d4278bfed7d63b1523e","parentId",2168455,"title","Clubhouse renovation, Lancaster pavilion and 3 Notch Trail Phase 2 move forward amid state funding and permitting requirements","audioSeconds",440,"startMs",4320000,"endMs",4760000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168455-0b4003c6f1212d4278bfed7d63b1523e&start=4320&end=4760","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168455-0b4003c6f1212d4278bfed7d63b1523e/thumbnail_4320000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6362212/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Clubhouse-renovation-Lancaster-pavilion-and-3-Notch-Trail-Phase-2-move-forward-amid-state-funding-and-permitting-requirements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362212-cfdf7342083989dea6b5c7dafbe81932/orig.mp4?Expires=1775965069&Signature=FtqMtZk1Z6UEqEn8GkP~dFu-f7FAWZvpnHXAsnH7AiLDzv8mJE1hT-yZdovvyT7mK1eEh2DggpFdnev4ecM43LAhirJyS4rd2rGYfJvAadsonhWKdUUrVyfbtmKo8agc8XDCSaicwADVtx8-IusUfE~CtO8UpxIjIlA0fTm9kxut5Rf8iYzfFywCLmtoCz~3lfpKtYpLxj9hE4QC97YNCl20ojo0omokJGdGj0qdBM~adYyZqdT54rd326t9miB-1TTInP43azhQZ3apy5T5v3WINx7-~cNnn2vmqs1qAP~cuMvu46zdQPiGlOXVltbZvgmztIcO5ybZuPSdPHPgcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-01-30T17:05:34Z","article","At the April 5 meeting staff gave progress updates on several capital projects and trail work.

Golf clubhouse and financing

Staff said interior demolition has begun at the golf-course clubhouse and the department expects to operate temporarily from a trailer pro shop while renovation continues. Staff are finalizing exempt financing and intend to repay borrowed funds from golf-course revenues; the department also applied $500,000 of local program open-space funds to the project after the state program was fully funded for this fiscal year.

Leonard Hall HVAC

A planned HVAC replacement at Leonard Hall Recreation Center encountered an electrical complication: the building has single-phase service but the new unit needs three-phase service. Staff said the mismatch slows installation and could raise cost; building services has indicated it will seek to absorb any additional cost if the project overruns.

7th District Park and Forest Landing

Work at 7th District Park is underway, including excavation for a new restroom and a future basketball court; staff said paving of roads and lots is scheduled in a subsequent fiscal year. At Forest Landing staff expect a contractor to begin replacing a left-side bulkhead at the boat ramp in coming weeks.

3 Notch Trail Phase 2

The county held a pre-bid meeting for the 3 Notch Trail Phase 2 (Charlotte Hall area) and set a bid deadline of May 3. Staff cautioned that federal/state funding requirements have added steps and costs: projects with state dollars must now register on the Maryland eMarketplace advertising site, the State Highway Administration’s participation means prevailing-wage rules apply, and minority-business participation goals also apply and can complicate procurement for locally based contractors. Staff said these requirements increased project complexity and may increase cost, but they expect construction to begin this summer.

Ending

No formal votes were taken on the projects at the April 5 meeting. Staff said they would continue to update the board as contracts are awarded and work begins.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/5/2007 Recreation and Parks Board","oneSentenceSummary","Staff updated the Recreation and Parks Board on capital projects including a golf-course clubhouse renovation, Lancaster Park pathway and pavilion grant request, Leonard Hall HVAC issues and 3 Notch Trail phase 2 bidding. State funding and prevailing-wage/advertising requirements are affecting schedule and costs.","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},6362216,"Parks staff report heavy trail and field use, seek better maintenance planning; contractor schedule and volunteers highlighted",2830,1370000,4200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168455-0b4003c6f1212d4278bfed7d63b1523e&start=1370&end=4200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168455-0b4003c6f1212d4278bfed7d63b1523e/thumbnail_1370000.jpg","/articles/6362216/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Parks-staff-report-heavy-trail-and-field-use-seek-better-maintenance-planning-contractor-schedule-and-volunteers-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362216-7c6db9c859e0f7c6374bf4a4197d9ad5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775965069&Signature=WY1ijAa41Wu-v1JlvW0smnLd-81X2mMzpB17FVmIgzOM9yD6Y1zRUoroSwoq3cpamnQrdAVyO5g0eNlvWA0UWHpYniEfyO0vjFKCEcyVrzEVN~PqT0m3mb6JWFJsjYg4I3a8C1ExAa5cb4WRPRgCm-Xoe~fGlCXP5did1jGrXaGe8j56cuNMQ8BAPWO8WTi70C3e7RDxF9zeqb-YYsTCeyT~e~xoDdGLVi7wbNOtHIGqLC9w~ZrFB5dhhtxE9yOGcG1uyN~6xT4Xv3XyU8zAI3LYuvjC9VFus8TVpJBk2hCLyXNNikOAYzG-laUTsKH9h4~mS7XM1blbthM89070yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David Guiler, parks division staff for St. Mary's County, told the Recreation and Parks Board on April 5 that the recently opened dog park at Lancaster Park \"is getting a lot of use. It's very popular,\" and that five playgrounds installed last year are drawing strong citizen praise.

Guiler described the parks maintenance workload and volunteer support. The county’s grass-cutting contract was re-awarded to Truveen Landcare; Guiler said major parks typically receive weekly cuts while lesser-used parks are cut every 8–10 days and that the contractor covers roughly 105 locations and about 900 acres of grass. He cautioned that weather-related delays can produce temporary lapses in schedule and asked citizens to report missed cuts or field problems.

Senior volunteers and trail work

Guiler said three senior volunteers are working on trail maintenance and clearing, with recent emphasis at Myrtle Point and Baggett Park. He noted the Friends of Myrtle Point participate in shoreline cleanups but are not regularly performing the heavy trail maintenance the county’s senior volunteers handle.

Maintenance planning and board requests

Board member Patrick pressed staff on whether the department maintains a formal, computerized maintenance-management plan for playgrounds, fields and other assets. Patrick described industrial asset-management software models and urged using a tool that enters assets and schedules routine upkeep to level operating budgets and avoid ad-hoc capital projects.

Guiler and other staff said the department carries out routine inspections and annual maintenance (certified playground inspectors, field patching after seasons) but currently lacks a comprehensive computerized asset-maintenance program. Staff said they would investigate existing county software options and report back; Guiler said an additional groundskeeper position is in the recommended budget pending final county approval.

Other operational notes

- A bulkhead replacement at Forest Landing (left side of the boat ramp) is expected to begin in a few weeks.
- Lancaster Park trails that were previously closed for winter blowdown have been cleared and reopened.
- Staff confirmed they do not perform sidewalk edging on trails but cut grass on both sides of trails.

Ending

Guiler asked that users report field or maintenance problems so staff can address specific locations, and the board signaled support for staff returning with a plan on maintenance-management tools and a possible formal maintenance schedule.","Parks division staff told the board on April 5 that new playgrounds and a Lancaster Park dog park are heavily used, that seasonal grass-cutting demands cover about 105 locations and 900 acres, and that the department will look into a formal maintenance-management tool after board members urged a computerized asset plan.",{"_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},6362222,"Recreation division highlights summer camps, scholarships and community events",1290,270000,1560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168455-0b4003c6f1212d4278bfed7d63b1523e&start=270&end=1560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168455-0b4003c6f1212d4278bfed7d63b1523e/thumbnail_270000.jpg","/articles/6362222/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Recreation-division-highlights-summer-camps-scholarships-and-community-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362222-cfc59e2b460a068ecb45964123ebf6d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775965069&Signature=VPYQ2At7~28dZHNRvmRGGsRGhYyLPzeCOQ~yLpOl7xHybr8oujY6W-p335UlCVa0at-yVLrnHcXSLaA8k6CCCyzUHO3oSF3Suvb7sCRM7ZSbE9m2ONWnzGt3r5C2Oxh2tR5wRH7KEwBmNyWaRJRd0KIWbjA1gAVm2RvHuQJw0cx023cOzjAab4Y-FnzNA~tlaQEoY4QcCHA3QYHOTqYSUxQhAsr2nkGzGVSvgFv-3VbNi5l5w~T0LfWKduZPEsIAJbOibucaJNMLdYS2Kz9uODxEgsMFxVHDYhudFY9ROAMnDVG590ImbWzzfe8NxRLWRPnijU9c4F0D6heD32Lctw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Arthur Shepherd, recreation division staff for St. Mary's County, opened the April 5 meeting with a report on recent programs and upcoming events.

Shepherd said the county recently hosted the Mason–Dixon gymnastics meet and that gymnastics boosters, staff and volunteers received positive feedback from visiting teams. He also reported robust youth basketball participation: “over a 1000 young people, a 100 teams,” and said staff are planning league structure changes for next year.

Upcoming events and programs

- Easter festival (rain or shine): Shepherd said the county usually draws large numbers for the annual egg hunt; last year staff recorded roughly 900 children and distributed about 7,000 eggs.
- Scott Verbeck Memorial Golf Tournament (June 8): Shepherd described the tournament as a scholarship fundraiser and said “the Scott Verbeck tournament raised over $5,000 last year” to support camp scholarships. He explained the application process is minimal and that scholarships can cover 50 percent or a full week for families in hardship.
- Summer musical auditions: Shepherd said auditions for the July production Crazy for You will be April 13–14, and the program is aimed at younger performers and volunteers (staff described participant ages stretching from 2nd grade through young adults, with a reference to 7th graders and those up to age 21).
- Summer camps and targeted programs: Shepherd described multiple camp tracks (day camps, junior counselor program, Summer of Safety Arts and Reading camps at St. Peter Claver and Bannockworth School for at-risk children, and the New Horizons Camp for children with special needs). He said New Horizons has run for about 30 years from Hollywood Elementary School and serves about 50 children per summer.

Why it matters

Shepherd emphasized access and continuity: scholarship funds are intended to reduce financial barriers and targeted reading/arts camps include lunch and bus transportation identified with school principals. The New Horizons program provides respite and year-round developmental continuity for families of children with disabilities.

Ending

Shepherd encouraged residents to register for camps and to contact the recreation office for scholarship applications and audition information. No formal board action was taken on these program items at the meeting.","At the April 5 board meeting St. Mary's County recreation staff previewed summer camps, scholarships funded by the Scott Verbeck Memorial Golf Tournament, the New Horizons special-needs camp and upcoming musical auditions and community events.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6362227,"Recreation staff proposes age-based restructure of youth basketball; 3rd–4th grade tournament play paused",1335,165000,1500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2168455-0b4003c6f1212d4278bfed7d63b1523e&start=165&end=1500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2168455-0b4003c6f1212d4278bfed7d63b1523e/thumbnail_165000.jpg","/articles/6362227/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Recreation-staff-proposes-age-based-restructure-of-youth-basketball-3rd4th-grade-tournament-play-paused","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362227-a82ad10558407cc1c862e8a9c613c5e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775965069&Signature=LebhR1Ra0FSJ0XE5hKRwitOacl3ef7UF8ZJ-WKEAdCg6mzyukAUkUD8jN24my97CXJCMh8irAoZ9pxBw6TRLUyRF~R4Vo0Mx3JzUNPXi-F-JDJMcSkIzYGhDuTEPdDa~p8BaULAydltyLfxwaVTQ3mzQGQUtZEOKKb~TasSC~I0sEuD28XBtRjeBS~2LZs1Fw5bhWOlXbU~QxMw1OYosoTI0iq158BY9jVhEFA-N2LhbBHcoyjqjGy0HTP3frAJE5We98eu807dzuYKx~5tmWqFsW26ZTOy4CfTxAJmjotRjEfDmhdErCEBmfpCeKHOetsMf3f0fvkIrBnMF1nXJEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Arthur Shepherd, recreation division staff for St. Mary's County, told the Recreation and Parks Board on April 5 that the department intends to restructure youth basketball into “instructional,” “developmental,” “recreational” and “select” tiers tied to age/grade and equipment standards.

Shepherd said the department’s plan would treat 1st–2nd grade as instructional, 3rd–4th grade as developmental (with modified rims and limited tournament play), 5th–6th as recreational, and 7th–8th as recreational/select with regulation rims and playoffs. “Once you go to regulation rims, then it’ll be regulation basketball offering all the other amenities that go with it, such as a playoff, a tournament, and all star games,” Shepherd said.

Why it matters: the change is intended to reduce mismatches for young players, standardize coach/referee requirements and align with national youth-sports guidance. Shepherd said the county runs a large program — “over a 1000 young people, a 100 teams” in recent seasons — and staff want a clear progression from introductory play through competitive tiers.

Board discussion and next steps

Board members pressed staff for clarity about which activities would be affected and whether the policy would apply across sports run by Recreation and Parks. Board member Patrick (last name not specified in the meeting record) asked whether the 5th grade cutoff would apply to other Recreation and Parks-sponsored activities or only to basketball; Shepherd replied that basketball is the department’s only indoor league that currently runs playoffs and all-star events and that the 5th-grade cutoff is proposed as the developmental/competitive threshold for basketball.

Shepherd told the board staff will convene internal meetings this month with gym supervisors and coaches to finalize recommendations and present proposed bylaw changes to the board: “We’re gonna be talking about coaches, player selection, playoffs…We’re gonna break this all down so the month of April…we’ll share it all there at one time.”

What was not decided

The board did not adopt a formal policy or take a recorded vote. Several members requested that staff produce a formal policy document or standard operating procedure rather than a presentation so the board and leagues have written reporting requirements and clearer enforcement steps.

Context and outside guidance

Shepherd and other speakers referenced guidance from the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) and a local “Raising Community Standards” initiative as sources the department will use when finalizing age/skill cutoffs and competition guidance. Shepherd said NAYS and similar organizations provide recommendations but “there’s no hard and fast rule,” and recommended practice will be adapted to local conditions.

Ending

Staff committed to returning to the board in April with a consolidated set of recommendations for the recreation basketball structure, communication plans for coaches and parents, and any proposed bylaw changes. No formal vote was taken at the April 5 meeting.","At the April 5 St. Mary's County Recreation and Parks Board meeting, staff described a move to an age/skill-based model for youth basketball that would limit tournament play for younger players while standardizing progression across divisions; staff will return with written recommendations and possible bylaw changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Clubhouse renovation, Lancaster pavilion and 3 Notch Trail Phase 2 move forward amid state funding and permitting requirements

Parks staff report heavy trail and field use, seek better maintenance planning; contractor schedule and volunteers highlighted

Recreation division highlights summer camps, scholarships and community events

Recreation staff proposes age-based restructure of youth basketball; 3rd–4th grade tournament play paused