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Survey shows demand for pool, restrooms and trails as Taneytown parks face FY2027 funding squeeze
Summary
Preliminary park survey (87 responses) prioritized a pool or splash pad, restrooms, trails, playground upgrades and parking; staff said FY2027 capital funds will prioritize the Memorial Park expansion and that the park impact fee fund is depleted, forcing delays to some playground projects.
Staff presented preliminary results of a community parks survey during the Jan. 14 meeting, saying 75 responses had been received when the packet was prepared and 87 by the afternoon. The most requested amenities were a pool or splash pad, more swings, permanent restrooms rather than portapotties, walking trails, improved lighting and more parking.
"The number one requested feature came on. Everybody say it with me: a pool," a parks staff member summarized for the board, noting that a pool or splash pad and restrooms are infrastructure-heavy and expensive. Staff said Memorial Park has existing water and sewer lines that make certain improvements more feasible there, while Roberts Mill would require higher construction costs to bring utilities to sites.
On budget, parks staff said the town’s park impact fee fund for capital improvements is currently exhausted. Staff explained the town will use general fund dollars to move the Memorial Park expansion forward and then seek grant reimbursements; because grants are reimbursement-based the town must front expenditures. The code currently sets a $1,000 park impact fee per residential dwelling, with an additional $1,500 in some development scenarios, and staff cautioned that without new housing development there will be no new impact-fee revenue.
As a result, staff said some capital projects previously slated for FY2027—such as playground replacements at Flickinger Park and Roberts Mill Park, and stadium-light retrofits—will be pushed into later years unless alternate funding is found. Board members suggested targeting grants for fitness stations along future walking trails, exploring sponsorships and donations for appliances and small equipment in the new multipurpose building, and seeking county self-help grants (a county self-help pool of roughly $80,000 was discussed by members) for eligible items.
Staff will continue outreach to increase survey responses and will share more detailed results at future meetings as the town finalizes its CIP and FY2027 budget recommendations.
