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County parks staff list completed playground, skate‑park, stage and accessibility projects; preview larger CIP items
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Summary
Capital projects staff reviewed recently completed playground and park improvements (Chaptico, Seventh District, Nicolette skate park, Lexington Manor stage and sensory path) and previewed upcoming work including ADA upgrades, a fully accessible Cecil Park playground (spring 2027) and tennis/pickleball court renovations.
Christie, a capital projects staff member with St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks, updated the Recreation and Parks Citizens Advisory Board on completed and planned capital projects.
Completed projects Christie listed included the new playgrounds at Chaptico Park and Seventh District Park, renovations at Nicolette Skate Park, the new stage and sensory path at Lexington Manor Passive Park, and completion of tennis court renovations. Christie said water fountains and bottle‑filling stations were installed at Seventh District and Chaptico, with one part still pending installation at the Nicolette skate park.
Christie said Program Open Space funding supported communication boards included with new playground installations. She confirmed the department is planning LED light retrofits at Fifth District Field 2 and 3 (grant‑backed) and will solicit public input on design options for the Saint Clement Shores playground. She said Cecil Park is planned as a fully accessible playground with particular focus on children with autism and that construction is expected in spring 2027.
Christie also described upcoming sport‑facility work: Dorsey Park’s courts will remain tennis but be fully renovated; Chancellor’s Run Regional Park courts are slated for a basketball renovation and conversion of tennis courts for pickleball use. She said the department has met with the United States Tennis Association and the Mid‑Atlantic Tennis Association to perform a full assessment of tennis and pickleball facilities to guide future dedicated courts and equitable access.
Background and community context: staff noted the county maintains dozens of athletic fields (staff mentioned “41 baseball and softball fields” in total during discussion) and that recent drainage and field improvements at Chancellors Run have helped manage the unusually wet spring. Christie urged board members and residents to expect public input opportunities on playground designs and emphasized partnerships used to complete the sensory path (students from Chopticon High School designed and painted sections under Arts Council sponsorship and corporate paint discounts).
No formal capital appropriations or construction contracts were approved at the meeting; Christie said start dates for several fall projects (including new skate parks) were still to be scheduled and would be shared with the board at future meetings.
