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Wheaton Park update: parking, misting pad complete; natural play area and stage planned for spring–summer
Summary
City staff reported completion of phase 1 improvements at Wheaton Park and outlined phase 2 elements: a natural play area expected by April and a new stage to be bid in April and built over the summer, with project completion expected by September.
City engineer Jim Bender updated the Hagerstown City Council on Wheaton Park improvements, reporting that phase 1 — including a paved parking area and a misting pad, plus demolition of a former caretaker house — is complete and that phase 2 work is underway.
Bender described two main phase 2 elements: a natural play area next to the misting pad and a new performance stage sited between the tennis courts and the bleachers. "The natural play area... we're hoping that they're gonna be complete probably by the April," Bender said, adding the schedule is weather‑dependent because of installation and curing requirements for safety surfacing. On the stage he said, "we're thinking that we're gonna be in a position to put that project out to bid, hopefully, in April... and then construct it over the summer," with a target of completion by September.
Councilmembers praised the community‑driven design process and the interpretive mural and signage. Bender said the city will evaluate resurfacing and spot repairs to walkways; full replacement is not planned. He also discussed possible funding sources for additional park improvements, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds already allocated to this project and Program Open Space (POS) funds for equipment that meets useful‑life criteria. Bender said countywide POS funding this year is limited, describing it as roughly "$540,000 for the entire county," and cautioned that submitted projects exceed available funds.
Staff offered to return for a focused work session on Wheaton Park funding and prioritization; councilmembers encouraged continued community engagement for later phases.
