2023 Annual Report
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This is the Town of Centreville Park Advisory Board (PAB) 2023 annual report summarizing the board’s projects, events, and recommendations for the year. Key actions include ongoing Millstream Park work (new bird boxes installed by Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage, three white pines planted after a rained-out Arbor Day, new fencing near Glendale Avenue, remaining swing sets installed) and PAB efforts on Millstream Trail Phase II where the Town budgeted $137,000 for development on State Highway property on South Commerce near Citgo and Mr. Whitehill is pursuing property acquisition and trail extensions toward Taylor Mill Road. The PAB applied to the Community Parks and Playgrounds 2025 grant for a Millstream master plan, pavilion replacement(s), drainage and parking fixes, benches, fitness stations, entrance upgrades, a sensory garden, and expanded soft-launch access. Wharf Park work used a $40,000 Waterway Improvement Grant to add slips, ladders, piers, picnic tables, cleats, water and electric, with additional grant applications for parking, bollards, lighting and a power station; the PAB also ran a Fishing Derby on September 9, purchased bluebird boxes and picnic tables, and reported broad community use of the Wharf. Other 2023 items: Pop Taylor Park landscaping was contracted to Southeast Lawn and Landscaping for $2,610; the Tree Board met (March 7), the Town reported a wetland tree loss to MDE and planned to share tree data with Washington College, and Centreville was recognized as a 2022 Tree City USA; Southeast Creek Lawn and Landscape continues a five-year maintenance agreement (effective April 11, 2022). The report also records holiday events and donations, PAB officer elections (Whitehill Chair, Magary Vice Chair, Simpson Secretary), a new member sworn in (Wendy Hubbert), several miscellaneous proposals and letters, and recommendations to increase outreach, coordinate with Town planning on tree canopy compliance, and prioritize PAB budget and fundraising.
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2023 PAB Annual Report Town of Centreville Park Advisory Board Introduction This annual report of the Town of Centreville Park Advisory Board (PAB) reviews its endeavors for the calendar year 2023. It lists the year's accomplishments, pending items, and future goals. Millstream Park Millstream Parks and Trails continue to provide opportunities for us to enjoy all of Nature's wonderful manifestations, including the birds who claimed the additional new bird boxes installed by Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage along the Trail. Arbor Day, April 28,2023 was rained out, however, the designated three white pine trees were later planted along the west end of Millstream Trail. New fencing was placed along Millstream Trail near Glendale Avenue. Remaining new swing sets were installed at the Park. Mr. Whitehill continues to work on issues related to the Millstream Trail II development. The Town has allocated $137,000.00 in its budget to develop Phase II of the Millstream Trail on the currently owned State Highway property on South Commerce near Citgo. It is the Town's intent to acquire this property. Since Symphony Village is not interested in Phase II of the trail, Mr. Whitehill is working with Mr. Bob Karen to allow the Town to use a portion of Providence Farm to extend the walking trail to the end of Taylor Mill Road. Mr. Whitehill is working with the Town to obtain bid requests to clear the extended trails as wilderness hiking trails about four feet wide. He showed a Go-pro video to present an update on the proposed extended walking trail. At our October 3,2023 meeting Mr. Whitehill apprised us of an application he submitted to Community Parks and Playgrounds 2025 Grant Cycle. The grant money will be used by the Millstream Park Improvement Program for needed upgrades and new equipment. The list includes the following: Solicit bids for development of the Millstream Master Plan to include planting plan, resolution of existing drainage and parking issues. Solicit pricing to demolish the pavilion and replace it with a new one on the existing slab. Include pricing for a second pavilion. Solicit pricing for drainage improvements and added parking. Include pricing to provide and install a minimum of four Victor Stanley benches along the Millstream Trail. Solicit pricing to provide fitness stations along Millstream Trail. Solicit pricing to upgrade park entrances (both sides of both ends). Solicit pricing for Sensory Garden for children to be placed near playgrounds. Solicit pricing to expand soft launch and access to it. Wharf Park $40,000.00 from the Waterway Improvement Grant was allocated to add additional amenities to the Wharf Park: four new boat slips; additional ladders; two finger piers; two more picnic tables; non-trip cleats; and water and electric. The Town applied for additiinal grant funding in July, to be used if approved, to complete the Wharf parking lot, add bollards, additional lighting, and install an electric power station at the pavilion. Mr. Whitehill is working on a new Community Parks and Playgrounds Grant to fund Phase III of the Wharf Park development. Kids, parents, and all who assisted, enjoyed another successful Fishing Derby on September 9, 2023 from 4pm until 6pm. Thank you to those who made it possible: Mr. Whitehill - guidance and finding vendors and a large cooler; Ms. Robinson - forms, fliers, clipboards, pens, event notices and banners; Corsica River Conservancy - knowledge, fishing poles and bait, love of children; Registration - Mr. Magary, Ms. Simpson, Mrs. Ashley Kaiser; Ms. Mileski - ice and water for cooler; Kona-ice - snow cones; C & T Hospitality - hot dog vendor; Department of Public Works persorurel; QAC Recreation and Parks - projector for movie. At 6pm a very fast moving thunderstorm and downpour sent all fishing derby contenders scurrying for shelter; an exciting end to an exciting event. Eight pm movie was canceled. Toward the end of 2023, the PAB purchased and placed two bluebird boxes from Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage, and added new picnic tables at the Wharf. The Wharf Park is being used for all its assets: playground; pavilion facilities; boardwalk; boat, kayak, and canoe launch; fishing pier; bird watching; photographic opportunities; historical site; picnics; restroom facilities; sitting quietly with nature; entertainment, and much more. Look forward to future enjoyment as the Wharf Park continues to grow as a family and community center for activities. Pocket Parks At our November 7,2023 meeting Mr. Whitehill provided us with two bids for landscaping designs and plantings for Pop Taylor Park, which were submitted by Southeast Lawn and Landscaping. The PAB accepted the $2610.00 bid, paid from our PAB budget, to help revitalize the beauty and legacy of Pop Taylor Park. Tree Board The PAB Tree Board met for its annual meeting on March 7,2023. The Maryland Department of Environment was notified by the Town that a property owner on Cypress Street cut down over ten large trees within the wetland area of their backyard. Information regarding tree loss and plantings will be sent to Washington College to be included in their Geographic Information System canopy mapping database. The Arbor Day Foundation recognized Centreville as a2022 Tree City USA. Landscape Agreement Effective April 1 1,2022 Southeast Creek Lawn and Landscape has a five-year agreement to provide maintenance and landscaping for all parks and pocket parks. Christmas Celebration The PAB extends special thanks and appreciation to all Centreville residents, volunteers, businesses, Town Staff, Public Works Department personnel and Town Police. With holiday spirit, they contributed to Centreville's Christmas decorating, traditional tree lighting ceremony events, and to the Christmas parade. Mr. Ryan again worked his Christmas magic to find eleven creative groups who decorated the Christmas trees along Lawyers Row. "Heroes" was the theme and the winners were: 1st - Girl Scout Troop 226;2nd - American Home Girls; 3rd - 4H Club. The PAB donated $350.00 to help upgrade the Santa House. Centreville glowed with a bright, cheery, uplifting Holiday Spirit. Calendar of Events The PAB appreciates the calendar of events that is compiled monthly and keeps us up to date with Town, County, and other group events. Miscellaneous Business PAB officers elected at April's meeting: Mr. Mike Whitehill, Chair; Mr. Gene Magary, Vice Chair; and Ms. Sandy Simpson, Secretary. On November 16, 2023 Wendy Hubbert was swom in by the Town Council as a new PAB member. In August the Wye River Upper School art class offered the Town a repurposed windchime to be placed in one of our parks as an art sculpture. Following PAB discussion about possible damage, vandalism, or destruction of their artwork, Ms. Robinson sent a letter of gratitude to Wye River Upper School for their offer, but the PAB could not accept their fragile artwork. The Heights Homeowners Association ended its rights to the Preserve Development in the Heights. The PAB sent a letter to the Town Council recommending that the Town keep the rights of the easement to the trail in the Preserve location. In September Ms. Wendy Hubert proposed a plan to consider planting trees in empty tree wells along streets where there are no trees. The PAB voted to accept Mr. Whitehill's additions to the Offrcial Street Tree List. Recommendations and Goals to Improve Park Advisory Board Service 1. Create an outreach program to the Centreville community to obtain ideas regarding long-term plans and park improvements. Stress the need for community participation to help maintain park property and to help raise funds for lapark equipment and park activities. Establish a committee to plan public events to support our parks. 2. Coordinate with the Centreville Town Council and Centreville Planning Committee to receive information regarding new plans and whether said plans comply with the Tree Canopy Ordinance. 3. Prioritize PAB budget items, fundraising projects, and spending. Factor in cost of new items, maintenance required, and manpower hours needed. Establish a PAB Planner to incorporate and set a timeline for new and ongoing projects. 4. Communicate with Centreville Public Works Department about PAB projects it needs help with each year. 5. Coordinate with the Main Street Manager for assistance conceming PAB projects to best utllize resources to find people to volunteer and to help find funding for our projects. Respectfully submitted, r/; /rr,*rJ^ Sandy Simpson, PAB Secretary Mike Whitehill, Chair Gene MaGary, Vice Chair Sandy Simpson, Secretary Rich Ryan, Member Ryan Holdgreve, Member Priscilla Mileski, Member Fred McNeil, Member Wendy Hubbert, Member Norma Robinson, Administrative Assistant Ashley Kaiser, Town Council Liaison Carolyn Brinkley, Acting Town Manager