Structural Engineers

Source: The BayNet by Rico Ordona

CALIFORNIA, Md. – Visitors to Myrtle Point Waterfront Park in St. Mary’s County can look forward to new facilities being constructed. At a St. Mary’s County Commissioner’s meeting late last month, Recreation and Parks administrators asked the commissioners for an additional $28,000 to conduct additional surveys before laying the groundwork for two kayak launches and a visitor center at the park.According to Jessica Hale, Acting Director of Recreation & Parks, these developments have been in the works for a while.

“St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks operates by the department’s Master Plan and a five-year Strategic Plan,” Hale said in an email. “Both plans detail goals to improve current facilities with an emphasis on waterfront property access.  Development plans for Myrtle Point Park began in 1999. In 2005, after community input, the plan was modified to serve as a space for passive recreation opportunities.  The department secured a design and engineering company in January of 2024 to begin work towards the concept design.”

The proposed launches would be located across from each other at opposite ends of the park. One launch would be in the northwest, on Mill Creek. The other, in the southwest, would be on the Patuxent river.

“The topography of this area surrounding Mill Creek is not conducive for a full accessible launch,” Hale said, “therefore, a second kayak launch is planned for the Patuxent River and will be accessible. This will include accessible parking, an ADA access path to the launch area, and a specialized launch designed for individuals with disabilities.”

The visitor center would be closer to the Patuxent kayak launch, and host restrooms, storage facilities, a meeting room, staff office, and event space.

“The space may be available to the community to rent for private functions, serve as an environmental education center for St. Mary’s County Public Schools, and provide space for department events and activities,” Hale said.

Prior to the 9/24 meeting with the commissioners, Hale learned that Recreation & Parks would need to conduct more surveys of Myrtle Point to ensure that the launches would provide years of service without disrupting the ecology of the park.

“Initial funding did not include the appropriate amount to include the scope of services for the bid specifications,” Hale said. “The property is mixed with mature and re-growth forest, FIDS areas (forest interior dwelling species), tidal wetlands, critical areas and historic easements. Surveys must be done to correctly identify all areas on the development plans for existing conditions. The addition of the second kayak launch area also increased the need for more survey work. These additional needs were determined as the contractor researched the property.”

During the September 24 meeting, Commissioner Michael Hewitt asked Hale and Project Manager Christina Bishop if the visitor center would affect the passive nature of the park. According to a Hale, passive recreation refers to activities that don’t require organization. Passive activities can include things like biking, hiking, bird watching, canoeing, and more. Organized activities like sports tend to produce more noise and traffic, which St. Mary’s residents near the parks have voiced objections to in the past.

“The planned visitor center will provide an indoor space for continued passive options,” Hale said, “along with some other organized events or private functions without disturbing the outdoor passive opportunities.”

While the additional surveys have delayed the construction of the launches and center, the projects are rolling along.

“Currently the department is conducting property surveys to develop the existing conditions and engineered plans for development,” Hale said. “Tentative plans for permitting submissions will be the Spring/Summer of 2025 with construction beginning in Winter 2026.”

In the meantime, Hale urges folks to visit Myrtle Point Park: “Current use includes hiking, biking, fishing, picnicking and beach/water access. Future developments include accessible walkways, canoe/kayak launches, picnic areas, visitor center, restrooms, parking and ADA access to the beach. The plan also includes interior road improvements to allow ADA parking close to the beach entrance and will serve as improved access for emergency vehicles.”