(Jan. 5, 2017) With a prime spot on the banks of the Pocomoke River only a stone’s throw from a recovering downtown, yet without much more than a pavilion and a couple of aging restroom facilities to show for it, Snow Hill’s Sturgis Park makes a fine target for revitalization.
With a new grant from the state’s Department of Community and Housing Development, the town now has $30,000 to make strides towards that goal.
“In 2015’s strategic plan, Sturgis Park was mentioned as a site to promote and develop — it just needs some sprucing up,” Town Grant Administrator Ann Gibb said.
Gibb said the restrooms need either renovation or replacement, the sidewalks need to be brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the park needs some new features.
“We just put in the new dock and refurbished the retaining wall, but the goal is to increase the use of the park,” she said.
How that might occur could take several forms. The park already features a bus stop, so there’s something of a built-in audience there, and Gibb said the site is being considered for an excursion train stop — though Berlin Mayor Gee Williams recently revealed both he and Snow Hill Mayor Charlie Dorman were taking the train concept back to the drawing board.
Also, Gibb said the Lower Shore Land Trust, which relocated its office from Berlin to Snow Hill last year, has expressed interest in using the park for programs.
“We’d like to put in tourist features — maybe a car charging station, or an air pump for bicycles. There’s also been talk of natural features to bring people in like a skating rink, playground, physical fitness stations or activity centers,” she said.
The public, Gibb said, will have its own say at some point about the park’s features.
“There are people who do this for a living,” she said.
Right now, however, the grant only covers plans for renovations, not paying for the redevelopment itself. The process is expected to take several months, and will begin with the town soliciting requests for proposals, which could happen as early as next Tuesday, when the Town Council holds its next regular meeting.
With a new grant from the state’s Department of Community and Housing Development, the town now has $30,000 to make strides towards that goal.
“In 2015’s strategic plan, Sturgis Park was mentioned as a site to promote and develop — it just needs some sprucing up,” Town Grant Administrator Ann Gibb said.
Gibb said the restrooms need either renovation or replacement, the sidewalks need to be brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the park needs some new features.
“We just put in the new dock and refurbished the retaining wall, but the goal is to increase the use of the park,” she said.
How that might occur could take several forms. The park already features a bus stop, so there’s something of a built-in audience there, and Gibb said the site is being considered for an excursion train stop — though Berlin Mayor Gee Williams recently revealed both he and Snow Hill Mayor Charlie Dorman were taking the train concept back to the drawing board.
Also, Gibb said the Lower Shore Land Trust, which relocated its office from Berlin to Snow Hill last year, has expressed interest in using the park for programs.
“We’d like to put in tourist features — maybe a car charging station, or an air pump for bicycles. There’s also been talk of natural features to bring people in like a skating rink, playground, physical fitness stations or activity centers,” she said.
The public, Gibb said, will have its own say at some point about the park’s features.
“There are people who do this for a living,” she said.
Right now, however, the grant only covers plans for renovations, not paying for the redevelopment itself. The process is expected to take several months, and will begin with the town soliciting requests for proposals, which could happen as early as next Tuesday, when the Town Council holds its next regular meeting.