Commissioners move Leonardtown Park funding to 2017 while library location is finalized

Commissioners discussed options for the Leonardtown Park and the co-location of the proposed library and Garvey Senior Center during the CIP review. Given outstanding choices about where to place the library and senior center on the Hayden Farm/Leonard's Grant properties, the board agreed to move the Leonardtown Park project to fiscal 2017 to allow more time for coordination.

Commissioners and staff noted the park’s relationship to the library decision: depending on where the library and senior center are sited, the park plan may need to shift or be proffered to the town of Leonardtown. Commissioners expressed interest in ensuring Leonardtown benefits economically from the projects and discussed potential co-use of school athletic fields and park fields. Public Works confirmed that archaeological reviews and concept planning on the Hayden site were largely complete, but commissioners said they needed firmer commitments and public input before finalizing park construction funding.

Finance staff said moving the park to 2017 was the practical approach given the timeline for the library decision and the need to avoid premature construction spending. The board directed staff to revisit the Leonardtown Park schedule in the balanced budget packet and to continue stakeholder outreach before reallocating or spending CIP funds.