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Commissioners approve $897,385 in Open Space grant applications for LED field lights and court renovations
Summary
The county approved program open space development and planning grant applications covering an LED field lighting conversion ($647,385.30 state share, approx. $719,000 project) and court renovations (Chancellor's Run and Dorsey Park) totaling $225,000; a $25,000 planning grant for land preservation plan update was also approved.
The Commissioners of St. Mary's County on Tuesday approved three Program Open Space development and planning grant applications from the Department of Recreation and Parks: an LED lighting conversion project for Fifth District Park fields 2 and 3, renovations at Chancellor's Run courts and Dorsey Park tennis courts (including dedicated pickleball space), and a planning grant to update the county's land preservation, parks and recreation plan.
Director Ray Bivens said the LED conversion request leverages state funds and is estimated as a roughly $719,000 project with a state grant portion of $647,385.30 and a required 10% local match. He told commissioners that LED fixture costs have risen but generate long‑term energy savings and that some existing metal‑halide fixtures remain under warranty through 2033–2034, so replacements will be prioritized accordingly. Bivens said eight fields still use metal‑halide lights, one tennis facility uses fluorescent tubes, and about 14 fields already have LED lights.
The court renovations request of $225,000 would fund improvements at Chancellor's Run (including dedicated pickleball courts with fencing) and Dorsey Park tennis facilities; staff said Chancellor's Run shows the highest local pickleball use. Bivens noted potential parking and traffic trade-offs when converting multiuse courts to dedicated pickleball courts.
Commissioners asked about field conditions, turf needs, cancellations caused by weather, and the relative cost of turf versus regular fields. Bivens said the department manages approximately 41 baseball and softball fields, has tracked cancellations and high use at some sites, and is exploring further turf and grant opportunities (including USTA funding) to expand durable playing surfaces.
Commissioner Colvin moved to approve the Program Open Space applications: $25,000 for the plan update, $647,385.30 for LED light conversions (with county match), and $225,000 for court renovations, and to authorize the commissioner president to execute related documents. The motion passed on a voice vote.
