Millsboro parks committee trims survey, weighs amenities, accessibility and memorial plans

The Millsboro parks committee on Wednesday narrowed a draft parks questionnaire and sketched priorities for new and existing town parks, discussing amenities, accessibility, naming and potential outside partnerships.

Assistant Town Manager Ashley Sander opened the meeting’s parks discussion with a compiled questionnaire that the committee agreed needs fewer, clearer choices so residents will complete it. "I thank all the committee members for presenting a lot of questions. Ashley, thank you for compiling them in an order," a member said, noting multiple suggestions to convert many items to multiple‑choice and group questions by individual park.

Why it matters: The survey will guide what the town prioritizes for a new park property and upgrades to existing sites — from restroom design and durable fixtures to playgrounds, multi‑use fields, trails and gardens — and will inform grant and budget decisions that often require local matching funds.

Committee members proposed trimming the draft from 34 questions to about 14 park‑related items with a final open‑ended comment box. They recommended placing basic demographics up front, making several questions mandatory and others optional, and combining duplicate items (for example, frequency-of-use and facility‑type questions). Members also suggested showing respondents a brief description of each park (acreage, water access, playground type) so answers reflect awareness of existing amenities.

A public commenter urged the town to honor historical dedications tied to past donations. "The ballpark was donated by Ali Atkins on behalf of her husband," the resident said, and asked that the field’s dedication read "W. Blaine Atkins" rather than referencing an ex‑wife. The committee agreed to look into the will and to address signage if records support the request.

Accessibility and maintenance drew sustained attention. Members flagged questions about mobility and physical barriers to use, noting the need to include disability access options and to ask whether travel distance or facility limitations affect residents’ park use. The group also discussed reported vandalism to institutional restrooms at the ballpark and said that, where feasible and funded, the town should consider more robust restroom construction rather than relying on porta‑potties.

Planning and partnerships: Committee members discussed inviting the U.S. Tennis Association and local gardening organizations such as Longwood and the Dagsboro botanical group to consult on court funding, plantings and low‑impact design. The town reviewed existing conceptual site plans, including proposed restroom locations, parking and multi‑use fields, and noted that higher‑cost features (irrigation, courts) will depend on grants and local match funding.

Signage, memorials and community engagement: Members urged uniform signage across parks and proposed flagpoles and monuments; one attendee recommended a veterans memorial near the police station or public library as a site for ceremonies. The group also discussed corporate sponsorships or "adopt‑a‑park" programs and a community naming process for the new property (one suggestion was "Seven Oaks Road Park").

Next steps and actions: The committee set a follow‑up meeting for Wednesday the 11th at 9:00 a.m. to finalize the revised survey and asked staff to circulate an updated draft and to reach out to potential partners. Earlier in the meeting the agenda was adopted by motion; the committee later moved and seconded to adjourn after completing the discussion.

The committee did not adopt any final budget decisions or formally award grants during this meeting; members said funding issues and required local matching for major amenities will be addressed in upcoming budget hearings.