Taneytown Parks board advances Memorial Park expansion plans, seeks approvals and funding; approves cameras and event calendar

The Taneytown Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Sept. 10 heard an update that the engineering team will resubmit final site plans for the Memorial Park expansion to State Highway Administration and County Forest Conservation this week; those two agency approvals were described as the last major outstanding steps before Planning Commission approval, easement deed conveyances and release of a construction RFP.

Lorena, speaking for the city’s parks staff, said grant funding for the project totals roughly $907,000 and identified the largest award as an approximately $865,000 grant from the National Park Service and about $43,000 from the county’s Program Open Space. She told the board the multipurpose building cost has risen by about $100,000 since the 2023 estimate and noted the 2023 capital outlay for the project had been listed at $1,729,000.

"Once we get those approvals, those are the last two holding points, then we can move forward," Lorena said, adding she would request an expedited review where possible but that State Highway operates on its own schedule. The board discussed that bid prices will reflect the passage of time and construction-cost increases since 2023.

The board also…