(8/17) The town named the newly acquired parkland Mountain Gate Park at the town meeting on August 15.

Mayor John Kinnaird proposed the new name at the August 1 meeting for "many" reasons. The town bought the land from the McCleaf family, who owns Mountain Gate Family Restaurant. He also noted the connection to the Thurmont motto "Gateway to the Mountains."

Commissioner Wes Hamrick presented comments from the Parks and Recreation Department, who had met prior to the town meeting. The talking points gathered from the Parks and Rec meeting discussed plans and noted that the name "Mountain Gate Park" accurately described the parkland’s view of the mountains. "If you’re down there and you’re looking west, they’re right there in front of you," Commissioner Wes Hamrick said.

There was concern regarding the over use of mountain-themed and gateway-themed business and facility names in Thurmont. According to Hamrick, even Thurmont itself is a derivative of "through the mountains."

The Parks and Rec department also noted the contributions that the McCleaf family has provided to Thurmont through several different entities. However, this was a potential concern to Thurmont Resident Marty Burns.

During public comment, Burns asked the commissioners and mayor to double check the town code to ensure there are no rules against naming things after people or families. "I’m not opposed to it, I think it’s a great name," he said before again urging the town to review their policies.

Hamrick pointed out that the connection to the McCleaf family would not be immediately obvious to all since their name is not used. "For me personally, I just know how much they have benefitted so many individuals and community organizations over the years," Hamrick said.

Burns continued his concerns about the issues that the town could be open too upon naming the park after the McCleaf family. "What about the family that’s done the same amount of stuff [as the McCleafs] that we’ve said no to in the past?" Burns said. "I would just ask you to be cautious about it."

Kinnaird mentioned that the Eyler Road Park is named after the Eyler family, although Thurmont Resident Bob Lookingbill reminded the council at the next meeting that it’s not. Lookingbill said that Eyler Road Park is technically named after the road it’s on, not the family.

The park will be located near what will be Thurmont Blvd. There are plans for a footpath to connect the Library Trail and the Trolley Trail. According to Kinnaird, the Town will come up with a plan for the wetlands portion of the plot of land in the future. Town Manager Jim Humerick said the plans would be environmentally-friendly.