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Charles Town moves to acquire Depot Parkland; developer to provide public soccer and pickleball as part of rezoning deal
Summary
Staff told the Parks and Recreation Commission the city is finalizing acquisition of a parcel referred to as Depot Parkland and that a rezoning agreement for the Vincent Hayes property includes developer-built public amenities, such as a full-size soccer field and pickleball courts.
City staff told the Charles Town Parks and Recreation Commission on Jan. 23 that the city is finalizing the acquisition of a green-space parcel the board referred to as Depot Parkland on George Street and that a recent rezoning of the Vincent Hayes property will provide developer-built public amenities.
According to staff, the Vincent Hayes agreement (packet p. 79) calls for the developer to construct a full-scale soccer field — an amenity the city currently lacks — and public pickleball courts; staff said these features are intended to be available to the public rather than solely for the homeowners association. The board discussed placement, maintenance responsibilities and the potential for a developer-built pocket park on a small infill parcel inside the block.
Why it matters: developer-built park amenities could expand the city's park inventory without an immediate capital outlay, but they also carry long-term maintenance and programming obligations that staff and the board must define.
Next steps: staff will continue coordination with the developer and planning commission, and the board signaled support for staff to negotiate public-access arrangements and maintenance responsibilities. No formal vote was taken on acquisition terms during the meeting.
