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Lancaster reports park progress and holds organizational meeting; chair Craig Geezy and vice chair Jason Bellas elected
Summary
County parks updates included near‑completion of Westland Beach, Harpers Creek access work targeted for early 2026, Carter Cove and Taylor Creek Park timelines, and progress on Chesapeake and Bridal trails; the board then held its organizational meeting, elected Craig Geezy chair and Jason Bellas vice chair, approved appointments and readopted bylaws and the Lancaster 2035 strategic plan.
Lancaster County staff reported progress across multiple park projects Dec. 11 and the Board of Supervisors completed its organizational agenda, including elections for 2026 leadership.
Parks director (speaker 9) showed drone images of Westland Beach and said the beach portion was about 97% complete, with fish‑cleaning stations and spring revegetation pending and parking/comfort station work about 98% complete. Trash cans and pet‑waste stations have been ordered; staff noted a VDOT right‑of‑way abandonment will take more time.
Harpers Creek access work is largely complete aside from some roadway pull‑offs and grading; the board heard a target completion of early 2026 and a specific date of Feb. 1 was referenced during the update. Taylor Creek Park contract work is under development with a likely January–February 2026 groundbreaking; Carter Cove site design is about 90% complete with a sanitary sewer permit issued and bids expected for a March 2026 award and final completion targeted for Feb. 2027. Chesapeake Trail concept work and NEPA/JPA processes are in progress; Bridal Trail preliminary engineering and RFP work were described, and volunteer groups including the junior ROTC will support maintenance.
Later in the meeting the board convened an organizational session. Craig Geezy was nominated and elected chair of the board for 2026 by unanimous voice vote; Jason Bellas was nominated and elected vice chair. The board approved the 2026 meeting calendar (with a proposed April date adjustment) and readopted bylaws and the Lancaster 2035 strategic plan; the board also approved a slate of appointments to boards and commissions and reappointed several incumbents.
The meeting adjourned with the board scheduling a joint work session with the school board on Jan. 29, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. to review the FY '27 budget.
