[{"_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",6359229,"mediaKeyId","2188033-97b3d96d83d4900c4386217eeacca407","parentId",2188033,"title","County parks board gets progress updates on 3 Notch Trail, athletic fields, interpretive center and other projects","audioSeconds",1224,"startMs",2319000,"endMs",3543000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2188033-97b3d96d83d4900c4386217eeacca407&start=2319&end=3543","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2188033-97b3d96d83d4900c4386217eeacca407/thumbnail_2319000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359229/St-Marys-County/Maryland/County-parks-board-gets-progress-updates-on-3-Notch-Trail-athletic-fields-interpretive-center-and-other-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359229-741f5ab1f1ebd7e3630ff206c59e43fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775964996&Signature=EQGiXWFJ6pI4Zn80wDsfwHFDVbsokkPnVr50~5YNADmfLkvPurzKR8gk9fXpf3gvlNJH1~uV2Tw9YpIYP4WKOXdBf1g3DbPj~gtVFGmeyZoS8NehF0Y2f4ddnl4c-p28h2tPhax3QDlPLWR~hpRqXz8fiu6wda5otWgev0-QW8yLtuTJPHizxrkRtLwayEj~mHkdOQJ27gh2kTndAahTaLcERcF5eRD2d7cEq98hJGYLrCioaU~TN0ZVo28YHVugd3lL2l2MKiIVC~-mBS3YXp-CZbpJg6Ol2pMn8-8o1xq0hsUR82gEsqJKwzsUPNdJ1aRGaNIjKAksF-Ixj5emYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-01-31T19:19:18Z","article","Department staff provided a multi-item project update at the Nov. 7 Recreation and Parks meeting covering trail construction, field renovations, an interpretive center project, and awards for local facilities.

Brian (Parks staff presenting project updates) gave the board an overview of 3 Notch Trail phase 6, a roughly five-mile section that will extend the northern trail from Md. Route 5 to Md. Route 236 in the Budds Creek/Charlotte Hall area and bring the county closer to an 11-mile continuous trail in the northern county. Staff forwarded final solicitation documents to the State Highway Administration for advertising on Oct. 21; construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2014 and could take about a year, Brian said.

Brian also described a county press release seeking about 5 acres of suitable land in the central to upper Patuxent River area for a public boat landing and ramp; staff asked landowners to contact the department if they are willing to sell or donate property.

At Charlotte Hall (5th District Park), staff reported wet-weather delays to construction of three new multi-purpose athletic fields adjacent to the school. Topsoil screening and placement are largely complete but rain prevented seeding during the optimal window (Sept. 15–Oct. 15); staff will stabilize surfaces for winter and plant seed in the spring seeding window (March 15–May 15) with an additional overseed next fall. The delay likely pushes a public opening to spring 2015 rather than fall 2014, staff said.

The Flat Tops house renovation (Veil War interpretive center) was awarded to WM Davis as a design-build contractor; staff and the Unified Committee for Afro American Contributions are developing design requirements and expect to submit plans to the Maryland Historical Trust in mid-November for review, with construction contingent on approvals.

Lancaster Park design and engineering continue, and engineering consultants are addressing agency comments and preparing an engineer’s cost estimate. Leonardtown Park concept work is under way with multi-purpose fields, lit fields, baseball/softball, playground and dog park envisioned; future presentations will include the Board of Education and Town of Leonardtown.

Other notes from staff: program open space funding of $125,000 was awarded toward the 3 Notch Trail section and $60,000 was awarded for replacement flooring at Leonard Hall Recreation Center; tennis court renovations at Jarvisville and 5th District Park are ready but delayed until spring because color coating requires minimum temperatures; and the county is reviewing patrol, signage and other safety measures for 3 Notch Trail access points where parking and use have increased.

Board members asked for future reports on strategic goals and program priorities and staff said they will bring draft materials and possible presentations from user groups to upcoming meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","11/7/2013 Recreation and Parks Board","oneSentenceSummary","Staff described the status and timing of multiple capital and renovation projects including 3 Notch Trail phase 6, Charlotte Hall athletic fields (delayed seeding), the Veil War/Flat Tops interpretive center, Lancaster Park expansion, and a program open space grant award.","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},6359234,"Leonardtown students, scouts clear Chaptico Park trail for cross-country events",504,481000,985000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2188033-97b3d96d83d4900c4386217eeacca407&start=481&end=985","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2188033-97b3d96d83d4900c4386217eeacca407/thumbnail_481000.jpg","/articles/6359234/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Leonardtown-students-scouts-clear-Chaptico-Park-trail-for-cross-country-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359234-ea08cf2a4a0a938ae309f03d8c007ea8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775964996&Signature=T3LK45IHFidQkkl3xSS4GcGxMZnNuJNj8zT7JOvpeLdj3afI9HgAVeADag1laac8S3ktNu1sCTsVWrLXk55gjyRKySpsSWz2XV2ayC9qM8IgSw9XEaBMjehFkBZfUxfnVRiKaG5fZ-pyw-PdRj~d8mhek0F84xyHgAOuoDvmX8RJ0hPiZ9OY8-5mDXfjiURFpFLgKa~728Tf-TvqEqB9WTgDrlTa5fj1MGqL3ZygNyqpZO0rhlW8pbBtjUSg0hK~tXxQeww7WrtA9qcz~bDOmvADuczJ~Ie3TmxX8XfQ45C5S~YfkXlzr3BMbij382Aj6Se1EKCVj-mvCX99p-VKYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ryan Morgan, an Eagle Scout candidate from Troop 1846 and a representative of the Leonardtown High School cross-country team, told the Recreation and Parks board on Nov. 7 that he led volunteers to clear a trail at Chaptico Park that served as a high-school cross-country course.

Morgan said the forested route was a disused logging trail and that, beginning in spring and through an August work day, volunteers logged about 200 hours on the initial clearing and about 100 additional hours of follow-up work. \"On August 3rd, I had members of both my church, my cross country team, and my scout troop all together, and we put in around 200 hours worth of labor clearing out this trail,\" Morgan said.

He described using primarily hand tools with three or four chainsaws for large trees. Morgan told the board the cleared portion in the woods was about 1.1 miles; the full high-school course uses that section plus the park's perimeter fields to reach the standard 3.1-mile length.

The trail hosted several meets this fall, Morgan said, including a jointly hosted invitational and a conference meet; he said teams from SMAC and Anne Arundel counties participated and that the course's steep hill proved challenging. Parks staff presented Morgan and helpers with certificates of appreciation on behalf of Saint Mary's County Recreation and Parks.

David Guider introduced Morgan's presentation at the meeting and thanked participants. The board applauded Morgan and the volunteers for completing the project and for enabling Leonardtown High School and other teams to host competitive events at Chaptico Park.","Eagle Scout candidate Ryan Morgan led roughly 300 volunteer hours to clear a 1.1-mile trail at Chaptico Park; the course hosted regional meets this fall, the presenter told the department board.",{"_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},6359239,"Parks division outlines restroom replacement, park clearing and new certification rules",301,80000,381000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2188033-97b3d96d83d4900c4386217eeacca407&start=80&end=381","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2188033-97b3d96d83d4900c4386217eeacca407/thumbnail_80000.jpg","/articles/6359239/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Parks-division-outlines-restroom-replacement-park-clearing-and-new-certification-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359239-971c54ce630a57f94daf650e0b8282bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775964996&Signature=PdrV84sVmtvdM06DaY~8OySdLf083l~R-REubMPelDmz1xukVSAMlW62Qh1lMVgqnU34gO7UkQUNibNcI-DfQ8L1XszCrxlO7NliRdvonFVtHsA-GgrTokEdp6eNu4LUgLyKbk2ZB5cqi7SWvEOZZ4CsFOjqbs3-mrOpN1ibpWq5h08H-gYHADKXCHykeumxxjeelxFqexUksO-WQA2zfyqdtN~8~fqVZfjoiS5feJ3mwevKjizCKSCGC3POR8i~t6ntX~GTLn8JB0XTkrfREs4ZOX7GBgtA9V9NrX3io9zCu2waUBn9DgJLhGHb7SGNF7OCYvhmcU5-2vTzkiWIjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David Guider, representing the Parks Division, told the Recreation and Parks board on Nov. 7 that the division is replacing the restroom at Wicomico Shores, removing underbrush at Nicollet Park to improve visibility and safety, and renovating a field at the Fenwick property to serve as a practice area for sports teams.

Guider said the Wicomico Shores restroom building dates to around 1970, does not meet Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines and will be replaced by a larger, accessible building constructed about 40 to 50 feet from the existing location. \"We hope to have this building completed by around December 1st,\" Guider said, adding the contractor is William M. Davis; after the new structure is open staff will demolish the old restroom and open the pavilion to all sides.

At Nicollet Park, Guider said staff removed dead trees and underbrush to open sight lines between the skate park and spray ground so attendants can observe both areas. He said the clearing should reduce \"undesirable activity\" in the wooded portions of the park.

At the Fenwick property south of the Navy base, Guider said the county secured and renovated a field for team practices; it will be available most days except Wednesdays and Saturdays because of the farmers market schedule.

Guider also briefed the board on new state regulations that took effect Oct. 1 requiring certification for fertilizer applicators; he said several staff will take a course in Annapolis and complete a 50-question test to comply. He said pesticide application already requires certification and the department is working to have staff licensed rather than rely on contractors for herbicide applications.

Guider closed by introducing an Eagle Scout project (Chaptico Park trails), which the board heard next, and by thanking staff for the ongoing maintenance efforts at county parks.","Parks Division staff reported a Wicomico Shores restroom replacement, tree clearing at Nicollet Park, a new practice field at Fenwick and new certification requirements for fertilizer and pesticide application.",{"_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},6359244,"State parks manager outlines reopening conditions for Newtown Park after World War II munitions survey",911,1178000,2089000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2188033-97b3d96d83d4900c4386217eeacca407&start=1178&end=2089","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2188033-97b3d96d83d4900c4386217eeacca407/thumbnail_1178000.jpg","/articles/6359244/St-Marys-County/Maryland/State-parks-manager-outlines-reopening-conditions-for-Newtown-Park-after-World-War-II-munitions-survey","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359244-90b9fd4f4abd9235c16d6259b8ece65f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775964996&Signature=K2Z0U3wbwcVPJOuuZGyFxJhAPeDAYsSdNhiE5liTSLXFWG8c8yUCcnctI2yKGefX8N5kEyAruSqB4pTigagaIlihbk48lonWvWGo3zVziaa6ueU7dI4AjjdAC2HZbf3SqA2GoZEkr7NfxyT8cv6Cz4aYe5UpTmRt5sF1cEjp3lhPXlzr-C8DCGf7-VgwvOk9RM5qCSX-OzeAOB-SMyMe-hK2ul1ezEWF-aMZCLKGYWzfS01V91EEbN5UE5GPghfL5RRKAbMndWPa5NAWxNqbS1W4P-zv2vPrUXBb6NprvB4fvHJMCS5s4hmXhhRcOkPomOpxgt06UdH~VSnA0lMVyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ranger Christie Bright, park manager for the state parks in Saint Mary's County, told the Department of Recreation and Parks board on Nov. 7 that Newtown Park will remain closed until state officials complete safety procedures and receive an Army Corps of Engineers report on historic projectiles found on the property.

The parks system in Saint Mary's County includes St. Mary's River, Greenwell, St. Clement's Island, Point Lookout and Newtown. Bright said Newtown — a 770-acre tract acquired in 2009 — was briefly opened then closed after military ordnance was discovered. \"There has been about, I want to say, over 70 ordnance identified and detonated,\" Bright said, describing work by state and military bomb squads.

Bright told the board the Army Corps’ systematic survey and its written report, expected in mid-November, will inform next steps. \"Once we get that report, things will start going,\" she said, but emphasized the process will be slow: staff are developing a standard operating procedure that will involve the State Fire Marshal, bomb squad, Natural Resources Police and State Police before any reopening.

Bright said the projectiles recovered to date are being treated as \"inert\" by investigators because they contain little or no explosive powder; the devices produced smoke on impact rather than detonation. The munitions date primarily to the 1940s when Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and later the U.S. Navy used the area for weapons testing, Bright said.

Other state parks updates presented by Bright included: St. Mary's River (two-site park with a 7.5-mile trail, boat ramp and remote monitoring added to dam wells), Greenwell (about 600 acres with 10 miles of trails and a therapeutic riding program run by partner groups), St. Clement's Island (historic site with rebuilt Blackistone Lighthouse and new composting toilet), and Point Lookout (about 1,000 acres, campsites and a civil war fort interpretive area).

Bright said Newtown staff and county partners have conducted underwater and land surveys in known historic-use areas, and that an action plan for opening (six-month and one-year checkpoints) is being prepared but will not begin until the DNR secretary signs off. She also described public-education steps planned if the park reopens, including bulletin-board flyers at parking areas explaining how to \"recognize, retreat and report\" any suspicious projectiles.

The board asked about communicating safety to families and about what would happen to remaining objects. Bright said the standard operating procedure will clarify how to handle projectiles found in the field and whether any will be removed or left in place.

Bright framed the Newtown history as both a safety and interpretive matter: the weapons testing and the park’s coastal resources tie into the Captain John Smith National Historic Trail and the county’s wider history.

Bright concluded with a brief schedule: the Army Corps report was expected in mid-November and the park’s reopening timeline will depend on that report and the interagency review of safety procedures.","Ranger Christie Bright told the Saint Mary's County Recreation and Parks board on Nov. 7 that Newtown Park remains closed pending review of an Army Corps report on historic projectiles; other county state parks received routine updates on facilities and visitor programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County parks board gets progress updates on 3 Notch Trail, athletic fields, interpretive center and other projects

Leonardtown students, scouts clear Chaptico Park trail for cross-country events

Parks division outlines restroom replacement, park clearing and new certification rules

State parks manager outlines reopening conditions for Newtown Park after World War II munitions survey