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Board adopts Halloween Point Park master plan update, sets 15–20 year horizon
Summary
The Board adopted an update to the 1998 Halloween Point Park master plan with proposed trails, upgraded fields including synthetic turf options, lighting, signage and a new skate park; staff said cost estimates and a CIP funding horizon cover the next 15–20 years.
The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 26 adopted an updated master plan for Halloween Point Park, a roughly 81‑acre county park in Prince Frederick that includes athletic fields, trails and community amenities.
Parks & Recreation staff said the update — the first since 1998 — was developed with public input (more than 2,000 survey responses) and a consultant team. The draft plan proposes new paved and natural trails, improved and additional athletic fields, synthetic‑turf and natural‑turf options, upgraded ballfields including improved infield materials (DuraEdge), expanded signage, lighting in some trail areas and a proposed skate park.
"It was based on that feedback that we put all these proposed upgrades in there," park planner Stephanie Sperling told commissioners while reviewing the draft. Staff emphasized the plan is a 15‑ to 20‑year guide: cost estimates are included in the document, but actual construction timing depends on funding availability through the capital improvement program (CIP) and grants.
Commissioners asked about costs for synthetic turf, infield upgrades, ADA‑compliant pathways and grant opportunities. Staff said current cost estimates are in the master plan’s appendices and that the county will pursue state grants (Recreation Trails and Paths, Program Open Space, Land and Water Conservation Fund) and other funding to advance priority items. Staff also discussed ADA transition planning and non‑asphalt surfacing options that can meet accessibility standards in certain park settings.
The plan drew questions and discussion about synthetic turf trade‑offs, including heat and injury concerns, environmental infill options, maintenance and insurance impacts. Parks staff said they plan to consider both synthetic and natural fields to balance playability and environmental concerns.
Commissioner action: the board voted to approve and adopt the Halloween Point Park master plan update as submitted. Staff said the adoption closes the plan’s public record and provides guidance for future CIP budgeting and grant applications.
Next steps: parks staff will use the adopted plan as a guide for project prioritization, pursue grant funding, and return to the board with project‑level cost estimates and CIP requests as funding is available.
