(10/1) Walkersville receives grants for park improvements

Walkersville has been awarded money from the State for park infrastructure improvements. According to Town Commissioner Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis, $323,694 has been included in the State’s FY-22 budget for park improvements in Walkersville. The town will receive an additional $47,000 from Project Open Space. Commissioner Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis and Town Manager Sean Williams led the application of grant money from the state. Along with the state funds, Walkersville will contribute $127,483 to complete multiple town park projects.

The projects to be covered by these funds include: the replacement of Creamery Park playground equipment, sidewalks, and paving of the parking lot. New park signs are planned for Creamery, Trout, and Community Park. The playground equipment at Creamery Park is in poor condition, which gained the attention of commissioner Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis, who raised the question of replacing it with inclusive equipment. Brodie-Ennis brought the idea to the Parks Commission who were unanimously in favor and have been involved in the planning process since.

The Manor House at Heritage Farm Park will be receiving a new roof, gutters, trim work, and a rain garden will also be installed beside the Manor House to help with excess rainwater runoff.

Commissioner Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis stated, "The Walkersville Park Commission invests money into the town parks as they are a valuable resource to community members. Funding these projects means residents will continue to have the opportunity to gather with friends and family for outdoor sports and recreation."

Project Open Space provides financial and technical assistance to local communities like Walkersville for the planning and development of recreation land or open space areas. The program funds such community park amenities, including: playgrounds, ball fields, tennis courts, hiking trails, greenways, wildlife areas, and formal gardens.

Town of Walkersville updating online code & getting new website

Walkersville staff are preparing to reorganize the Town code and get a new website designed for user-friendliness. The primary focus is to make it easier for residents to search for municipal codes and navigate the Town website.

Town Manager Sean Williams has led the effort by reaching out to multiple code-writing and website design companies used by surrounding municipalities. Until the companies return the estimates, approval of funds for this project have been put on hold.

Commissioner Michael McNiesh expressed his concern about the coverage of town meeting minutes that each company offered to provide in their previous estimates. With options ranging between two and five years’ worth, he stated, "such a short period really only covers what we have done in the last term. Without a larger frame of reference someone would be unable to look back and see what a previous commissioner had done if they had decided to run again."

Damaged Ash Trees to be removed from Community Park

19 ash trees in Walkersville Community Park are being ravaged by Ash Bore Beetle blight and must be removed due to serious damage. Removing the blighted trees is estimated to cost the Town $5000 which includes the removal of the 19 trees and one dead branch in another tree. Regarding the removal, Commissioner Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis said, "[the trees] need to be removed for the safety of the people that enjoy the park."

This isn’t the first time Ash Bore Beetle blight has diseased parts of Frederick County. According to Commissioner Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis, over 100 Ash Trees were removed last year from Heritage Farm Park for the same reason. She also noted that the Parks Commission are looking at a plan for replanting trees at Community Park to replace those being removed.

First Annual Veterans Picnic a success

On September 18th, the Walkersville Veterans Committee hosted their First Annual Veterans Picnic to show support for local veterans and their families. Approximately 50 people attended the afternoon event full of fun and food, including a corn hole tournament. As Chairman Don Schildt puts it, "a great time and good food was had by all."

Each veteran in attendance was able to receive a door prize thanks to the support of local businesses as they provided monetary donations and gift cards. A special thanks goes to Kathy Sixx who chaired the event, as well as to the other contributors throughout the community.

One highlight of the event was that a Vietnam Veteran thanked the committee during the picnic for urging him to go to the Veterans Affairs center for his exposure to Agent Orange. After going, his claims application was approved, and he is on track to receive compensation. Schildt noted, "veterans should always be encouraged to go to the VA center to file claims for their injuries." A moment of silence was also observed for the 13 troops who recently lost their lives in Afghanistan.

The Veterans Committee will be hosting their Annual Veteran’s Day Program on November 7th at 1:00 pm. More details to come as the date nears.