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Board hears $2.7M estimate for Black Ponds shoreline work, seeks clarity on Marley Run and Cove Point projects
Summary
Parks staff proposed a $2.7 million living-shoreline project at Black Ponds Nature Park, requested $800,000 to match a $300,000 DNR grant for Cove Point playground replacement, and recommended a two-year $2 million drainage project at Marley Run to address chronic erosion.
Parks and recreation staff presented the department's FY26 CIP priorities, highlighting several projects county residents may see in the next few years.
Bob Brander, director of Parks and Recreation, and division chiefs described a proposed Black Ponds Nature Park living-shoreline and dredging project. Staff said the current working estimate is $2.7 million to cover the majority of the shoreline work but cautioned that earlier planning estimates had been higher and that the project will require redesign and new permitting. "I don't want to provide false promises here to tell you that that 2.7 will cover it," Brander said, noting the need to reevaluate the scope and costs.
Parks staff also sought $800,000 as a local match for a full playground replacement at Cove Point Park to leverage a $300,000 DNR grant and requested combined funding of $1,000,000 this year and $1,000,000 next year for Marley Run erosion and drainage — a combined approach to treat parking, drainage and ball-field infrastructure together. Amanda Stowagan, park and safety division chief, told commissioners the combined funding is necessary to complete an overall drainage fix rather than piecemeal repairs.
Commissioners stressed prioritizing repairs to condemned or closed facilities and requested clearer phasing and cost notes for multi-year projects before final CIP adoption. Staff said they will refine project scopes, examine dredging reuse options and present updated estimates at the debrief session.
