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DENTON – As summer gets into full swing, residents throughout Caroline County have new and improved outdoor spaces to enjoy, from expanded athletic facilities and playgrounds to waterfront improvements and community gathering areas. County and municipal leaders have spent the past year investing in recreation projects designed to encourage outdoor activity, support local organizations, and create spaces where families can spend their summer a little closer to home.
Caroline County Recreation and Parks Director Jamie Beechey said these improvements reflect a larger commitment to providing residents with the same quality recreational opportunities found in surrounding communities. “A rising tide floats all ships,” Beechey said, “so regardless of whether the county or the municipalities improve upon or build recreation facilities, we all benefit from having safe, clean parks and open spaces that people can enjoy in their leisure time, that we can be proud of.”
One of the county’s largest upcoming projects is North County Park in Greensboro, which is still under construction. Once complete, the park will include four multipurpose fields, walking trails, a public restroom, pavilion, playground, ninja course, bicycle pump track, new entranceway, parking, and stormwater management features designed to protect the watershed. Beechey said the multipurpose fields will provide more opportunities for a variety of sports and activities, including soccer, football, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, t-ball, and general community use.
“Our soccer programs have continually expanded for years, and we need more options from that perspective,” Beechey said. Additionally, “Walking trails come up as a priority in every one of our Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plans…We can’t build enough of them to keep people moving here in the county.”
North County Park is funded through a combination of Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars through the National Park Service, Program Open Space funds through the Maryland DNR, and local funding.
At Choptank Marina, a major renovation has upgraded aging infrastructure while improving accessibility for boaters and visitors. The project included demolition and replacement of old piers and pilings, new L and center piers with ADA ramps, new decking, updated electrical and plumbing systems, electric and water pedestals at slips, a pump-out station, additional mooring piles, paving improvements, and two additional slips, increasing capacity from 71 to 73 slips. Last but not least, the beach portion got a facelift, complete with new sand. Beechey called the work “long overdue,” noting that the previous seawall and infrastructure were failing. The project was supported through Waterway Improvement Funds from Maryland DNR and Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund grants.
Sharp Road Park is also undergoing significant improvements, with both county and Town of Denton projects underway. The county’s upgrades include a new senior league-sized baseball field with multiple base distances to accommodate different ages, a softball/little league field, lighting for both fields, a small multipurpose field, fencing, and irrigation.
“Baseball numbers have been increasing,” Beechey said, “adding the lighting creates field availability in spring with limited daylight.” She added that, for the kids, playing under the lights “gives them that wow factor.”
Phase 1 of a new playground at Sharp Road Park has been completed and is open for public use, thanks to the town of Denton. The town also plans to install adult outdoor fitness equipment by the end of the summer. The playground was funded through the Maryland DNR Community Parks and Playgrounds Program, while the fitness equipment is funded through the Maryland Department of General Services Capital Grants and Loans Program.
“The creation and maintenance of outdoor amenities enhances residents’ health, safety, and welfare,” said Katie Northam, Denton’s Planning and Codes Project Manager. “Well-maintained parks, trails, playgrounds, and public spaces help attract families and visitors, support local economic activity, and contribute to the overall appeal and livability of the community.”
Other communities are also continuing to improve outdoor spaces. In Ridgely, the Dream City Playground installed last fall added equipment designed specifically for smaller children and those with disabilities, giving those visitors a safer place to play. The project was led by resident Patrice Flamer – the town used ARPA funding to support the playground installation.
“Ridgely has three great parks in the town,” said Clerk-Treasurer Stephanie Berkey, “People come from all over to use our parks. We try to accommodate the needs of our local youth organizations and residents.”
Greensboro has continued improvements at Choptank River Park, including paving the parking lot and installing permeable pavers to improve accessibility and address erosion and stormwater issues on the waterfront. Visitors can continue enjoying fishing access, green space, picnic areas, and waterfront views, while the town works toward adding a dual kayak launch. Greensboro is also working with Maryland DNR on a sensory playground at Jesse Sutton Memorial Park, designed as an inclusive space where children of all abilities can play together. The town also hopes that recent beautification efforts, like replacing the gazebo at Curtis Harvey Park, installing the Hometown Heroes Banners along Main Street, and continuing sidewalk and streetscape work, will give the town more curb appeal and support outdoor exploration.
Preston’s James T. Wright Memorial Park has also received several updates, including four new bioretention ponds, two wildflower meadows, more than 40 new trees and shrubs, a new tot lot with play equipment and cushioned flooring, a stage with shade canopy for outdoor performances, electrical access for vendor events, new picnic tables, and a community-painted rock garden area.
This work was supported through grants from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Shore Rivers, and the Maryland DNR Community Parks and Playgrounds Program. Preston also continues to host community events at the park, and another new playground is slated for construction later this year. “The Town of Preston continues to expand and maintain its outdoor amenities to improve resident quality of life, foster civic pride, and drive community-focused growth,” said Town Manager Amber Korell.
In Federalsburg, public efforts have also helped bring new life to local recreational spaces. The reignition of Federalsburg City League baseball led locals to fundraise and advocate for better field conditions. Caroline County Recreation and Parks rebuilt the dugouts, and residents raised their own funds to renovate the snack shack. Funding for the dugout improvements came from the county’s general budget line item dedicated to repairing and improving sports courts and fields annually, and the county continues to maintain and support the property on behalf of Caroline County Public Schools. Beechey said this particular project is a prime example of the county’s commitment to supporting community-driven recreation efforts and making sure local organizations have the facilities they need.
So what are you waiting for? Get outside!
