Bel Air designates 401 South Atwood Road as public park and renames it Eagle Park

The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners on Feb. 2 voted unanimously to declare the town-owned parcel at 401 South Atwood Road a public park and to amend the resolution to refer to the site as Eagle Park.

Town staff summarized the parcel’s suitability as publicly accessible parkland and said designating it supports the town’s comprehensive plan and bicycle and pedestrian plan. Michael Brands, representing staff, told the board the property is “well situated to serve as publicly accessible parkland and to function as a key community asset that supports walking, bicycling, and neighborhood connectivity.”

Commissioner Taylor proposed replacing references to “Atwood Park” in the resolution with the name Eagle Park, saying the choice would honor local Revolutionary-era figures and nod to the Latin word aquila (eagle). Commissioner Hanley seconded the amendment. The board voted on the amendment and then on the resolution as amended; both votes passed on unanimous voice roll calls.

The resolution was numbered 1262-26 on the meeting agenda. No members of the public spoke in opposition during the public-comment period when the chair asked for comments on the naming. The board noted the site’s scenic and ecological qualities and expressed hopes that eagles might be attracted to the new park.

Next steps were not specified in public discussion; the resolution gives the town authority to manage and maintain the parcel as parkland. Any design, programming, or capital improvements mentioned for the site would be subject to future staff reports and public discussion.