Politics & Government

Celebrating Carroll County: Forty Years of Recreation and Parks (VIDEO)

This year the Carroll County Department of Recreation and Parks is celebrating forty years of service.

The Carroll County Department of Recreation and Parks has been celebrating its 40th Anniversary throughout 2011 with photo contests and special events. The accompanying video was created and shared at the 40th Anniversary event held recently.

Started in 1971, the organization has been hugely successful in providing activities, events, parks and nature centers for Carroll County residents to use and enjoy.

Here is a timeline of the evolution of Carroll's Recreation and Parks Program.

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1971

  • Walter B. Bockmiller appointed Director of Department of Recreation & Parks

1973

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  • County signs lease with Roaring Run Lions Club for Roaring Run Park

1974

  • Joint Use Agreement signed by Board of Education and County Commissioners to allow Parks and Recreation to use school properties
  • Bruce A. Hildebrand named new Director of Recreation & Parks

1976

  • Recreation & Parks Board member James Shriver named most outstanding recreation volunteer in state by the Maryland Recreation & Parks Association
  • County breaks ground for new Hashawha Environmental Center

1977

  • Deer Park dedication for upgraded park that now features football field with lights, playground and storage/concession building
  • Self guided nature trails dedicated at Farm Museum
  • Hashawha Environmental Center opens

1978

  • Westminster Jaycees submit plans to construct Jaycee Park in Westminster
  • School Community Center Program grant funds (Maryland Department of
    Education) used by councils for the 1st time to pay instructor salaries for
    programs

1980

  • John P. Little named Director of Recreation & Parks

1981

  • Piney Run Nature Center opens

1983

  • Sandymount Park athletic fields developed

1984

  • Recreation & Parks Board approves plan for 4-5 miles of trails at Union Mills area for equestrian use
  • 17,000 attend Fall Harvest Days at Farm Museum
  • Plans presented for new Carroll Community College at site used for Griffee Garden Plots

1985

  • Wine Festival moves to the Carroll County Farm Museum
  • Land purchased for Carroll County Sports Complex
  • Recreation councils raise & spend $173,128

1986

  • 1st annual Maple Sugarin’ Festival at Hashawha
  • Carroll County Arts Council merges with Recreation & Parks

1989

  • Carroll County Sports Complex opens
  • Special Populations Council renamed as Therapeutic Recreation Council
  • Seniors in Action council formed

1991

  • Bear Branch Nature Center opens

1993

  • Richard J. Soisson named Director of Department of Recreation & Parks
  • Freedom Park groundbreaking

1994

  • For the first time, recreation councils have over 10,000 volunteer positions
  • For the first time, recreation councils raise and spend over $1 million

1996

  • Carroll County Firearms Facility opens
  • Mearing Barn moved from Route 31 and reconstructed at Farm Museum,
    currently serving as home to a transportation exhibit upstairs and gift shop and meeting room downstairs

1999

  • Commissioners approve one time allocation of $4,000 to fund development of Alternatives Community Recreation Program Guide featuring 17 programs and a new self sustaining function of Department that will supplement recreation council program offerings

2001

  • Recreation councils raise & spend over $2.5 million

2003

  • Cape Horn Park opens
  • The old Carroll Theater is renovated and re-opens as the Carroll Arts Center, home of the Carroll County Arts Council with gallery and performance areas

2004

  • Westminster Community Pond is 50 years old. The park was dedicated by the Westminster Kiwanis Club and the Izaak Walton League along with Maryland Governor Theodore R. McKeldin on September 18, 1954. Ownership was transferred from the State to Carroll County in 1971
  • Recreation councils raise and spend over $3.1 million

2006

  • Jeff R. Degitz named Director of Department of Recreation & Parks
  • County has 24 developed parks

2007

  • Self-sustaining Community Recreation Programs operating budget now over $250,000 and features over 300 programs annually
  • The Francesca Borrelli Johnson Wetlands Classroom opens at Hashawha, the result of a partnership with the Carroll Community Foundation, Carroll County Public Schools and Carroll County Recreation & Parks

2010

  • 33 acre property purchased for future Westminster community park
  • 25 developed parks

2011

  • The Board of County Commissioners issue a proclamation declaring July as Recreation & Parks Month and recognizing the 40th anniversary of Carroll County Recreation & Parks

For a complete timeline, visit the Recreation and Parks website.


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