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Volunteers, Eagle Scout and mountain-biking group honored for Chaptico Park and Elms Beach work
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Summary
The advisory commission recognized several volunteers at its November meeting, including an Eagle Scout-led bench refurbishment at Elms Beach Waterfront Park, a volunteer-built 0.63-mile Fern Trail at Chaptico Park led by the Southern Maryland mountain bikers, and volunteers who repainted pickleball lines at Baggett Park.
St. Mary—s County Recreation & Parks recognized volunteers at its November citizens advisory commission meeting for several recent projects that staff said improve park amenities and access.
Parks operations manager Marguerite Cardenuto told the board that Eagle Scout Jake Selk organized 11 volunteers who spent 33.75 hours to refurbish benches at Elms Beach Waterfront Park. Staff displayed photos of the refurbished benches during the meeting.
The board also heard from Trey Johnson, representing the Southern Maryland mountain bikers. Johnson said the group has organized roughly 20 volunteers who have contributed just over 169 hours to clear and develop trails at Chaptico Park. "Thanks for the opportunity to build trails at Chaptico," Johnson said. "It's important, I think, to have additional recreational opportunities here in Saint Mary's County, especially mountain biking. There's not many places to do it." Staff said the group completed the Fern Trail, a 0.63-mile route that connects to the park—s nature trail, and has started phase 1 of a second project.
Marguerite Cardenuto also recognized Julie Seek Sharp and Brad Clements for repainting pickleball lines at Baggett Park, noting the updated markings make play easier where tennis and pickleball lines overlap. Staff said league leaders who use county fields were invited to nominate volunteers for recognition at the department—s December meeting.
The department took a group photograph of the volunteers and encouraged recreational-league nominations for future meetings. Staff said several volunteer projects used existing logging routes in the park to limit new disturbance, and volunteers built at least one small bridge as part of trail construction.
What's next: staff said the mountain-biking group will continue subsequent phases of trail building and the department will solicit more volunteer nominations from sports leagues for December recognition.
