ST. MICHAELS — On Tuesday evening, St. Michaels commissioners unanimously approved sending a letter to obtain a grant for a potential park in town, but not without tense discussion.
The San Domingo Creek Park stirred controversy among the commissioners, who debated whether or not the five-acre land could serve a different purpose.
About a week ago, representatives from Open Space, a program of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, encouraged the town to apply for a $1.7-million grant for the development of the park. Town Administrator Rob Straebel said the representatives would like to see a letter of information pertaining to the park within two weeks.
The commissioners, now faced with a tight deadline, held a special meeting Tuesday to vote on whether or not the town should apply for the grant.
Straebel, in his explanation of the grant, provided a tentative schedule of the buildout of the park, including estimated price points for the two phases of the park’s development.
Phase 1 would take place in 2025 and be completed within three years, according to the documents provided by Straebel. Phase 2 would take about seven to 10 years with a completion date of 2033.
Straebel estimated the contribution to the park by the town would be about $3.7 million of the about $5.4 million total cost, though he emphasized that the town contribution may be lowered if funding is secured through other grants. Additionally, a group of residents are applying for a 501©(3) charitable organization designation, which would provide the opportunity for private fundraising for the park project.
Commissioner Alfred Mercier, showed favor for the timeline of the park and for the town to approve sending a letter to Open Space, describing it as the “first step.”
Commissioner David Wojciechowski on the other hand said he was “struggling” with the idea of moving forward with the project due to the financial obligation the town, and potentially the residents, would have for it. Wojciechowski suggested the property could be sold.
“So is the park worth $3 million?” Wojciechowski asked. “I think that question should be presented to the public of the town, and we should let the public and the town people decide now that we have this new information and these alternatives.”
Commissioner Alexis Roiter, also questioned the necessity of the park, stating the land could be used to help solve town problems.
“We have people who are going to the community center for food because they can’t get to a grocery store, and then we’re talking about a $3- or $4-million park, and I have to tell you honestly, my brain is having trouble with that,” she said.
Straebel said if the commissioners voted to send the letter to Open Space, they would not be “committing to anything at this point.” A decision on the grant would not happen for a few months, and during that time, if residents felt strongly, the town could decide to not take the grant money.
During the public comment period, residents of the town voiced favor for the potential park.
Dan Spiegel, a resident, expressed “disappointment” with the commissioners for considering not following through with the park project, stating there was a clear consensus with the residents for a park.
“I can’t tell you how shocked and disappointed I am by this discussion, especially the views of Commissioner Wojciechowski and Commissioner Roiter,” Spiegel said. “It was in the clear consensus of the residents of this town that one of the most important things that the government of this town did was acquire this open space to turn it into a park.”
A 7.6 acre property at 201 Boundary Lane was purchased by the town for the park for $2.9 million last year.
The town plans to use the existing building on the property for a new town office. The remainder of the property will be a public park, complete with nature trails, expanded wetlands, a living shoreline, a fishing pier, a comfort station and associated parking, according to the town’s plans.
After the public comment, the commissioners unanimously approved sending the letter, stating that they may have a future discussion to determine the fate of the park.
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