The preliminary site plan for the Memorial Park expansion project, presented at the August Planning Commission meeting, resulted in more concerns raised by Commission members. The expansion was first presented at the March meeting and the concept plan was approved in April.
The expansion consists of 21.43 acres centered around four new multipurpose fields intended for soccer, field hockey and lacrosse. Also included in the expansion are two new parking lots with a total of 156 spaces, a multipurpose building in the center, bleachers and a pedestrian walking path around the property’s perimeter with solar lighting. A permit from the State Highway Administration (SHA) to have the entrance/exit off of Frederick Street was also in the plans. These amenities join the current 40-acre park that includes open green space, athletic fields, tennis courts, a fishing pond, two playgrounds and pavilions.
Dan Myers expressed concern around the size of the entrance/exit onto Frederick Street which mirrored SHA’s concerns. The sight distance requirements of 335 feet turning left and 290 feet turning right would have to be met in order for SHA to sign off on the project. They also required the sidewalk from St. Josephs to be extended to the park.
Myers also asked if there were enough lights on the fields for night games, to which the City’s Director of Parks & Recreation, Lorena Vaccare, replied yes. He also wondered if the lights in the parking lots would be on all night. Vaccare explained they are working with Arrow Consulting on ways to reduce the number of lights; however they will be on overnight.
Myers and Planning Commission Chairman James Parker asked if the main road in the park – Park Avenue – will have a designated exit. Under the current design, the park will have a shared entrance/exit.
Vaccare told the commissioners that the staff has been having discussions about an exit onto Emmitsburg Road and paving the existing gravel road there for that purpose.
Town Council Liaison Chris Tillman expressed concern that people would use it as a thoroughfare to bypass traffic on the Square. Vaccare acknowledged the concern and said, "there will be a gate blocking off traffic when the park is closed, as well as speed bumps on the road to reduce the attraction of using the road as a shortcut."
Tillman pointed out that there is no direct access from the East parking lot to the West side fields and expressed concern that without a paved path, someone could get hurt going down the grassy slope leading to the fields. He also mentioned a concern that the only ADA access to the West side fields was around the fields instead of a direct sidewalk access. "We do not have plans to have sidewalks going down from the East parking lot at this time," replied Vaccare.
Planning Commission members also wanted to confirm that the restrooms in the park’s multi-purpose building would be for staff only and the public would be provided with porta pots similar to other parks in Taneytown.
The preliminary site plan presented at this meeting has also been submitted to the County and State Highway departments for review. Once all comments are received and reviewed, a final site plan will be made and presented for approval to the County and City’s Planning Commissions.
