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Taneytown board: Memorial Park expansion still awaits State Highway and forest-conservation signoffs; cost and timing remain uncertain
Summary
City staff said State Highway and Forest Conservation continue reviewing the Memorial Park expansion plan; staff obtained an easement for a culvert, plan to submit an MDE permit and expect to release an RFP after approvals. Funding will come from grants, restricted impact fees and the general fund.
Taneytown Parks & Recreation staff told the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board on Nov. 12 that the town's planned Memorial Park expansion remains under review by State Highway and Forest Conservation and that several technical fixes are required before construction can proceed.
Lorena, a parks staff member, said State Highway returned immediate comments that Arrow, the project engineer, addressed and resubmitted, while Forest Conservation rejected portions of the landscape plan because some species (including black walnut and eastern red cedar) are unsuitable near athletic fields. "Forest Conservation rejected it, again, and there were a couple of repeat comments on their letter," Lorena said, adding that Arrow is reaching out to Forest Conservation to get recommendations so the plan can be approved.
Staff said they obtained an easement from the Renehans to install a culvert under the new connector road and will submit a permit application to MDE to authorize the culvert and related drainage work. "Once everything was examined between where the new road is gonna go and where the existing outfall is, it was determined that that had to be done," Lorena said.
The project includes a Morton Building. Staff said the construction contract for that building is on the council agenda this month; signing the contract would lock the price through 2026. "Once that's approved and signed, the price is locked in through 2026," Lorena said, noting project costs have risen since design began and grant funds will cover most of the building cost.
On playing-surface choices, staff said the expansion will use natural grass (cold-tolerant Bermuda) to allow a lower mowing height and better resilience; seed (not sod) will be used, which lengthens establishment time and may delay full use of the fields.
Funding was described as a three-part mix: nearly $1 million expected from grant awards, about $200,000 in restricted park-impact fees, and the remainder from the general fund (taxpayer revenue). Staff noted that grant-based reimbursements are not front-loaded and that the general fund will temporarily front some costs until reimbursements arrive.
Board members discussed how to handle any shortfall if the final construction price exceeds available funds. Options included phasing the project (for example, delaying or omitting lighting), organizing community fundraisers, seeking corporate sponsorships or dedicating existing athletic wish-list funds to the expansion for a limited time. One board member suggested adding a small per-registration surcharge (an example figure of $10 per registration was discussed) to replenish park funds; staff said they will survey the organizations using the expanded facilities and discuss the approach further in January.
No formal vote or amendment was taken on the expansion at the Nov. 12 meeting; staff said they will continue coordinating with State Highway, Forest Conservation and Arrow and will seek planning-commission signoff before issuing an RFP for construction.
What happens next: staff will revise landscaping per Forest Conservation guidance, submit the MDE permit for culvert work, and — pending approvals — take the construction contract to council. The board will review funding options, including potential phasing or sponsorships, at its January meeting.
