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Oct. 6 marks groundbreaking for Caroline's second biggest park

By COREY BYERS

Date published: 10/6/2007

Officials will gather in the Ladysmith Village subdivision this morning to herald what will become Caroline County's second-largest park.

Plans call for a multipurpose playing field, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, a playground and picnic areas.

Ladysmith Village is near the intersection of U.S. 1 and Ladysmith Road in the western half of Caroline. The groundbreaking ceremony starts at 11 a.m. at the future park site on Clark & York Boulevard.

Newland Communities proffered the 10-acre site in its development proposal. After the park is completed, the county will maintain it.

Michelle Partridge of Newland Communities said the park will take 18 months to complete, so it should open in April 2009.

Planning Director Michael Finchum said only one county park, near Caroline High School, is larger.

Finchum said Caroline also has several other park facilities operating in conjunction with the public school system and at the Dawn Progressive Center.

Donnell Howard, the director of Caroline's Parks and Recreation Department, said the park is "absolutely" needed.

"I think, in a sense, it's overdue," Howard said, "simply because we've seen a rapid growth in our soccer program and participation in that particular area of the county."

The park will be inside the subdivision, which is planned to have 3,000 homes. But Howard said he thinks outside residents will use it, just as they use the public library in Ladysmith Village.

"With growth in that community and the participation that's come through our office, it's advantageous for us," Howard said. "Participation will increase even more."

Corey Byers: 540/735-1976
Email: cbyers@freelancestar.com

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Date published: 10/6/2007