Adams County hears five‑year parks CIP; commissioners back exploring purchase of 14‑acre Strasburg farm

Adams County parks staff presented a five‑year capital improvement plan to the Adams County Board of Commissioners at a recent meeting and outlined funding limits, maintenance shortfalls and priority projects, including Riverdale Regional Park improvements and a possible 14‑acre Strasburg acquisition that commissioners asked staff to explore further.

The presentation was led by Byron Fanning, director of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Arts, who said the CIP is grounded in the 2022 Parks, Open Space and Trails master plan and additional outreach. “They want restrooms with running water. We hear it in every sense,” Fanning said, summarizing recurring public requests. He said shade, trail connectivity and maintaining existing assets were other top requests.

Why it matters: commissioners repeatedly pressed staff on measurable outcomes, ongoing maintenance capacity and how new capital projects would be funded and staffed. County staff warned that limited recurring funding and current staffing levels constrain the department’s ability to both add facilities and sustain them.

Key details from the…