an overview of yourdepartment of recreation & parks…

An Overview of Your Department of Recreation & Parks…Award Winning Park System – 10,000 Acres Under Our JurisdictionOver 140 Parks & Sanctuaries and more than 120 Miles of TrailsApproximately 1,000 Departmental Employees – 113 Full Time31 Before & After School Child Care Centers Serving 2,000 FamiliesTwo Swim Centers, Two Recreation Centers, Two Golf CoursesSponsor Approximately 1,000 Programs at over 90 LocationsApproximately 100,000 Annual Participants in Our ProgramsOver 400 Community Groups have been Accredited with R&PNearly 7,000 Permits Issued for the Community Use of Public FacilitiesOver 18,000 Adults Listed in Our Volunteer DatabaseWebsite Receives in Excess of 1.2 Million Hits Per YearMore than 12,000 Acres of Agricultural Land Preserved Since 1980

We, in the Department of Recreation & Parks, have a Great Story to Tell!

Land Preservation Programs

AACo Agricultural & Woodland Preservation ProgramMD Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Rural Legacy ProgramMaryland Environmental Trust

Investment in Our Future

$ 38.4 millionTotal Expended

12,206Acres Preserved

$ 4.4 millionRural Legacy

$ 7.5 millionState Program

$ 26.5 millionCounty Funding1980 to the Present

“Most farms in Anne Arundel County have been passed on from generation to generation.

We would like to continue that legacy, and guarantee that our precious agricultural land

and woodlands are preserved forever.”JOHN ROBINSON LEOPOLDAnne Arundel County Executive

March 5, 2007

Property Acquisition Initiatives Since December 2006• Naval Academy Dairy Farm – 857 Acres in Gambrills• Patuxent Wetlands Park – 43 Acres adjoining Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary• Bacon Ridge Nature Preserve – 547 Acres of Crownsville Hospital• Nature Preserve at Wayson’s Corner – 30 Acre Site at Proposed Target Store• Crownsville Hospital Cemetery – 12 Acres with over 1,200 Burial Markers

Master Planning and Other Initiatives Since December 2006• Fort Smallwood & Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Parks – Master Planning • Homeport Farm Park – Master Planning (25 Acres along Church Creek)• Water Trails & Campsites – MNCPPC & Patuxent River Commission • Patuxent River Landholdings – Department of Natural Resources• Safety Turf Fields – Eleven High Schools• Quiet Waters Park – Renovation Ice Skating Rink

County Executive John R. Leopold is committed to adding to the County’s preserved land inventory.

Agricultural Land PreservationNatural Resources Land Conservation

Resource-Based Recreational Land Protection

Anne Arundel County 2006 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan can be viewed on the Department’s website – www.aacounty.org/recparks

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

REGIONAL PARKS

1. Fort Smallwood Park 100 Acres

Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Park 238 Acres

2. Downs Parks 245 Acres

3. Kinder Farm Park 288 Acres

4. Quiet Waters Park 341 Acres

5. Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary 1,364 Acres

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2

3

4

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Kinder Farm Park is a 288-acre Park, which offers a variety of natural and recreational activities including hiking, biking, bird watching, fishing and gardening. It is a working farm that shows past and present agricultural practices of Anne Arundel County. Farm animals at the park are owned and cared for by the Kinder Farm Park 4-H Livestock Club.

Another unique feature of Kinder Farm Park is the availability of community garden plots for lease by County residents. This increasingly popular amenity offers the public the opportunity to get their hands in the soil and see the fruits of their labor.

Anne Arundel County’s vision for the Naval Academy Dairy Farm is PURE:

Preservation – Anne Arundel County desires to enter into a long-term business relationship with the United States Department of the Navy to provide good stewardship for the Naval Academy Dairy Farm by preserving the property in its agricultural and rural nature.

Utilization – Anne Arundel County is committed to running the Naval Academy Dairy Farm as a sustainable crop and livestock farming operation with crop and livestock diversification including exotic and heritage farm animals and alternative and specialty crops.

Recreation – Anne Arundel County plans to provide the public with the opportunity to reconnect with the land by participating directly in food production and through a wide variety of recreational activities and events designed to highlight the rural and agricultural nature of the Naval Academy Dairy Farm.

Education – Anne Arundel County will reach out to the community through inquiry-based science education and collaborative research tailored to encourage the advancement of agricultural and environmental issues.

The Dairy Farm will always be known for…4-H Groups * Bill the Goat * Hammond Family Cemetery & Homestead

Public & Private Schools

Recreation Advisory

Board

U.S. Department of the Navy & the Naval Academy

Anne Arundel County

Board of Education

Foundations and

CorporationsAnne

Arundel County Soil

ConservationDistrict

Friends Groups for

Parks

Federal & State

Legislators & Agencies

170+ Master Gardens & 1,000 4H

Volunteers

500+ Accredited Community

Groups

Anne Arundel County Council

Community Gardens Advisory

Board

Agricultural Advisory

Board

County Departments & Agencies

The Department of Recreation and Parks is ready to engage its entire network of public and private affiliates in a planning process for the Dairy Farm. The Department will ensure that the people who are affected by, or interested in, the future of the Dairy Farm will be involved.

Communication with the General Public is about building strong, lasting relationships with specific community groups and the public at-large.

Strong Partnerships are built when people are given the opportunity to have a direct impact upon what happens in their community.

Citizens, Service Providers and Decision Makers must be drawn together as stakeholders in the creation of a vision and the process of actively pursuing that vision.

THREE PHASES OF PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

1. Pre-Lease Signing – Outreach to the General Public (Informational Updates)

2. Post-Lease Signing – Dairy Farm Advisory Committee (Recommendations)

3. Stewardship – Friends Group (Operational Support and Enrichment Efforts)

Dairy Farm Advisory Committee• Monthly Meetings for Approximately One Year

• Collaborative and Interactive Process Facilitated by Consultant

• Develop Recommendations for Implementation of PlanThink About the Dairy Farm Over the Next 30 Years

Create Overall Principles to Guide Future Work

Assist in Shaping Projects into an Integrated Whole

Evaluate Projects & Functions to Realize Greatest Potential

Tentative Schedule for Formulation & ImplementationDecember 2007 – Send Appointment Letters

January 2008 – Hold First Meeting

December 2008 – Hold Final Meeting

Through careful stewardship, the character of this very special property will be protected for many generations to come.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

On January 1, 1970 the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) was signed into Law. NEPA established a basic framework for integrating environmental considerations into Federal decision-making.

The NEPA process utilizes a systematic approach in planning and decision-making which may have an impact on the environment. The NEPA process includes a detailed statement on:

o Environmental impact of the proposed action,

o Adverse effects which cannot be avoided should

the proposal be implemented,

o Alternatives to the proposed action.

National Historic Preservation Act

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires Federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. The Navy, the County, and the Maryland Historical Trust will consult to write a Programmatic Agreement, which will guide future management of the farm’s historic resources.

The National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources. Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture.

NEPA Process

The NEPA Process will analyze what the County would like to do at the USNA Dairy Farm.

The County’s Conceptual Plan is broad and the theme is agriculturally based.

The County’s proposal needs to provide more definitive plans to include a list of possible disturbances, addition of buildings and/or parking lots, hours of operation, traffic patterns and anticipated attendance at public events.

Whatever proposed actions are not included in the NEPA Process before signing the lease will not be included in the lease document. The Navy will fund the NEPA assessment used to execute the lease. Anything not studied and included in the Navy’s paid NEPA assessment and lease would be paid for at the County’s expense.

Heery International

The County is working with Heery International as consultants assigned to assist with the NEPA Process. Heery International will work with Recreation & Parks to define the planned activities and facilities.

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

A FONSI is issued when environmental analysis and interagency review during the Environmental Assessment (EA) process find a project to have no significant impacts on the quality of the environment.

Cultural Resources Assessment

In keeping with the National Historic Preservation Act and as part of the lease negotiations, a Cultural Resources Assessment will be completed on all existing buildings and a survey conducted on the property for archeological sites. This assessment will be used in developing the Programmatic Agreement which will guide management of historic resources on the property.

Physical Structures

In 1999, the physical structures were determined to be eligible to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Navy will request the Maryland Historical Trust to review this determination. This determination is expected prior to the lease signing.

Archeological Survey

Navy consultants performed a preliminary archeological survey in May 2007; a final archeological survey is expected prior to the lease signing. The preliminary archeological survey findings include the following sites:

o Four appear to be 18th to early 19th century domestic sites – possibly slave quarters.

o One is prehistoric.

o Six appear to date to be late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Identified archeological sites must be safeguarded and all artifacts preserved.

Maryland Sunrise Farm currently has a lease with the Navy to manage and operate the Naval Academy Dairy Farm, which is the state’s largest certified organic farm. With 854 acres in production agriculture, Maryland Sunrise Farm raises vegetables, laying hens, beef, dairy heifers, hay and grain crops.

In keeping with County Procurement Laws and Regulations, the Department of Recreation & Parks must engage in a formal and openbidding process for parties interesting in subleasing the Dairy Farm.

Public Access Areas

Phase I & II

PHASE II

PHASE I

PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS

Approximately 150 Acres

To be Segregated from Main Farming Operation

PHASE I


Includes Two Areas on Opposite Side of Dairy Farm Road

Presently Being Farmed for Hay

PHASE II


Presently Being Farmed

Preservation and Reforestation• Committed to Preserving the Property in its Agricultural and Rural Nature. • Significant Step in Achieving County’s Agricultural Land Preservation Goal.• Conceptual Plan calls for Doubling the Forested Buffer Along Streambed.• Without Trees, Streams and Habitat Typically Become Degraded.• Reforested Area Ideal for Botanical Walking Trails and Attracting Wildlife.• Benches will be Provided at Strategic Points Along the Trails for Rest.• Classrooms in the Field will Provide a Great Educational Opportunity.

Anne Arundel County’s long-term goal is to permanently preserve the Dairy Farm, and each citizen can help in their own way.

PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS



PHASE I




PHASE II



Theme Gardens and Walking Trails• Integrated System Designed to Minimize Impact to Land & Attract Wildlife.• Native Species Trees & Scrubs will be Planted along Botanical Walking Trails.• Theme Gardens such as a children’s garden, topiaries, butterfly garden, etc.• Formal Display Garden around Cemetery & Homestead like the Paca Gardens.

All Attempts will be made to Minimize Impact to the Land and Preserve Trees.

170-Plus Volunteer Master Gardeners will be Invited to Participate with the Design.

PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS



PHASE I




PHASE II



Quiet Waters Park Summer Concert Series• The concerts are sponsored by the Friends of Quiet Waters Park.• All concerts begin at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.• The concerts and parking are free to the public.• All costs defrayed through contributions from business & organizations.• There is no permanent seating or event parking.• Concert attendance is typically around two hundred.

The Friends of Quiet Waters Park is a nonprofit organization that supports Quiet Waters Park through volunteering, fundraising, and advocacy.

Proposed Location for Community Garden Plots

Community Garden Plots• Opportunity for Public to Grow their Own Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit.• Community Garden Plots will be Available for Rent at a Nominal Cost.• Workshops will be Offered to New Growers at the Beginning of the Season.• Community Version of a Farmers Market to Sell Produce to the Public.• County Executive established a Community Gardens Advisory Committee.

A Community Garden Plot Program will be Another Key Part to the County’s Conceptual Plan to Benefit the Public.

PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS



PHASE I




PHASE II



Sources of RevenueDepartmental Operating Budget

Program Open Space Development Funds

County General Obligation Bonds

Forest Conservation Act Reforestation

Private Foundations & Corporate Donations

Farm Operator Lease & Facility Rentals

Garden Plot Rent & Special Event Fees

Solar Energy & Energy Conservation

Anticipated ExpendituresFencing throughout Public Access Area

Cultivation of Community Garden Plots

Painting and General Maintenance Items

Trees and Other Plant Material

Rehabilitation of Physical Structures

Lead Paint & Asbestos Abatement

On-Site Roadway Improvements

Off-Site Roadway Signage & Signals

“This farm is located at the epicenter of growth and development inWest County with ties to the agricultural heritage that precedes us.

As a park, this gem is the perfect site for a facility everyone can enjoy.

JOHN ROBINSON LEOPOLDAnne Arundel County Executive

What is good for the Dairy Farm is good for Anne Arundel County!

Points of ContactCounty Executive John R. LeopoldCommunity & Constituent Services

(410) 222-2222 www.aacounty.org

County Councilman Jamie Benoit – District 4 (410) 222-1401 [email protected]

Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation & Parks (410) 222-7867 www.aacounty.org/recparks

an overview of yourdepartment of recreation & parks…

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