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Speakers say Leonardtown library and Darby center parking is inadequate; request added accessible spaces
Summary
Speakers at the May 6 public forum told commissioners the Leonardtown Library and Darby Senior Activity Center parking lot lacks sufficient accessible and close‑in spaces for patrons, especially during peak hours. A commenter asked for four additional handicap spaces and improvements to the lot layout.
Fred Calvert, a Leonardtown resident, told the Board of County Commissioners of St. Mary's County on May 6 that parking at the Leonardtown Library and the Darby Senior Activity Center is insufficient for current use and that accessible parking is poorly located.
Calvert said the parking design currently includes 12 handicap spaces but that only five were required by ADA code when the lot was designed. He told commissioners that the last of those 12 spaces is roughly “234 feet to the front door,” and that the distance and lack of covered walkways make access difficult for seniors and people with mobility limits.
“Of the 45 spaces total in the parking lot, only 9 are directly in front of the library entrance,” Calvert said, arguing that the lot layout and shortfall during peak hours warrant adding four more spaces and reconfiguring access aisles to place some spaces closer to the main entrance.
Calvert and other speakers requested a county review of the lot layout, an evaluation of potential adjustments to ADA‑provided access aisles and placement of compact spaces, and consideration of adding covered or closer‑in accessible parking to better serve seniors and library visitors. There was no formal action taken at the forum; commissioners said staff would receive the comments and follow up on design and feasibility questions.
(Reporting note: Calvert provided specific counts and a distance measurement during public comment.)
