(5/2021) New skatepark to take precedent
The proposed expenditure of Project Open Space (POS) money on Phase II improvements at Woodland playground replacement project in Thurmont seemed like a foregone conclusion at the April 13 commissioners’ meeting – until 15-year-old Patrick Dugan approached the board.
Prior to Catoctin High sophomore Dugan’s presentation, Chief Administrative Officer James Humerick had suggested that the town’s priority regarding seeking a piece of the forthcoming allocation of POS funding should be the continued improvements at the Woodland playground.
But that all became moot in the wake of the teenager’s presentation regarding the need for a skateboard park in the town, backed by a petition signed by 176 Thurmont teenagers and a video showing skateboarding equipment that the teens had made.
Dugan told the board, "Our town has lots of nice parks … but the one thing we do not have is a skatepark," adding, "I feel it would also help with our economy because people would come from all around to skateboard and they would eat lunch at the businesses, and people would also come here and say "This is a place I might want to live because they have a skateboard park and it’s good for teenagers."
East End Park was suggested as a potential location, and that fund-raising, along with POS funds could ultimately create the park.
The skateboarding enthusiast was supported at the meeting by town Parks & Recreation Commission member Amie McDaniels, Police Department Sergeant Dave Armstrong, residents, and more than a dozen of his fellow teenagers.
The consensus of the board was to pursue Dugan’s wishes. Commissioner Martin Burns said, "For me it was an easy sell. What I would like to see is a comprehensive look at something like this. If we are going to do it, let’s not do it half-way."
New East End baseball field reviewed
The town commissioners received a presentation at their April 20 meeting regarding a preliminary final plan for a new little league baseball field proposed at the East End Park.
Chief Administrative Officer James Humerick had previously engaged Arro Consulting to develop the design for the new field, which will be located on vacant land within East End Park.
Nate Merkel, with Arro Consulting, told the board this design and the construction of the new baseball field "is (intended) to address the additional need for a little league field with the ever-growing Thurmont Little League as well as the additional parking."
Merkel stated that the preliminary final plan being presented represents the first-phase of the project, with the second-phase to include finalizing the design as well as applying for any applicable permits.
The cost of the new field is estimated at being $261,587, "with the intention funding will be provided through Project Open Space for construction of this complex," Merkel said.
Future development of the remaining vacant land adjacent to the new ballpark could entail the establishment of a multi-purpose field, or another ballfield and tennis court.
Police officer honored
The Thurmont Lions Club honored a veteran Thurmont police officer with the presentation of an award of recognition for the officer’s service to the community at the town Council’s April 6 meeting.
Jonathan Hamrick, representing the Thurmont Lions Club, presented the Police Officer of the Year for 2020 award to Officer First-Class Nicole Fair, based upon a recommendation submitted by the Thurmont Police Department.
Officer Fair was a graduate of the Western Maryland Police Academy and joined the municipal department on July 1, 2016. In addition to serving Thurmont as a patrol officer, Fair also assisted the department with the adoption of the Juvenile Diversion Program.
The officer also serves as the Thurmont Police Department’s liaison with the State’s Attorney’s Office and Juvenile Services and helps monitor and track gang-activity for the Thurmont Police Department.
