Fields of Dreams sometimes happen.It looks like Kent County will build one, and they will come.
Mayor Chris Cerino announced that a Maryland Community Parks and Playgrounds grant for $230,000 has been awarded to Kent County Middle School to restore and enhance the outdoor activity areas.
The Community Parks and Recreation is a function of the Department of Natural Resources. Only municipalities can apply for the grants
Cerino credited former Recreation Commission Director Bill Arrowood with inaugurating the interest in wanting to build a “field of dreams” baseball field at the Middle School. Subsequently, after meeting with an approving County Commission, a unique collaborative effort between the town, Kent County School Board, Middle School Administration, and the Board of Education was formed, and proved to be a formula for success.
The restoration and enhancement will include the renovation of the track, tennis courts, basketball court, a lacrosse wall-ball area, designated exercise stations, a recreation grade baseball diamond, and even landscaping.
Cerino stated that this is a win-win for everyone. Both the kids and the community at large will benefit from the restoration and additions to school’s recreation area.
“First and foremost it not only serves the kids of Chestertown but every middle school student in the entire county, so every kid between 11 and 14 within the next year will have a first-class recreation campus to use,” Cerino says.
Community members will also be given access to the recreation areas. Additionally Cerino sees this improvement as a plus for property values.
Work will begin in late summer or fall of this year.
Madhu Sidhu says
Well done, Bill Arrowood! Bill’s vision and qualities of collaboration have produced fantastic results for all children and the community. I am so excited for Chestertown and the County.
Carla Massoni says
Congratulations! A win for everyone!!
Scott Bramble says
Great work by all stakeholders, Town, County and BOE! A desperately needed resource for our youth. Good to bring those tax dollars home to Kent County.
Carol Wise says
Congratulations to get the money to fix up the middle school play yard. My property butts up to the middle school and I have to say that the maintenance and care of the school grounds is not that good.
A few years ago, Parks and Rec or the town made a track around the property for the kids and community to be able to walk. It was never taken care of and now more than half is covered in grass. There is trash regularly in the area where the kids go for recess.
I walk my dogs back there and try to pick up as much as I can but it is never enough. Hopefully the area will come under Parks and Rec to maintain since it doesn’t seem that the Board of Ed has enough manpower or money to maintain.
Crossing my fingers that this is taken care of,
Charles Athey says
Bravo! I have many fond memories of playing lacrosse, soccer and baseball on these fields, and tennis on these courts. Excited to see this space once again become vibrant and usable!
Chris Cerino says
Just to be clear, this Community Parks and Playground grant was awarded to the Town of Chestertown, with the funds to be allocated to the restoration of the recreational facilities at Kent County Middle School. The project was supported by the Kent County Commissioners, the Kent County Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Karen Couch, and the faculty and administration of Kent County Middle School. Major credit is also due to Kees de Mooy and Bill Ingersoll, the Town employees that put the application together, wrote the text, obtained bids from contractors, and submitted the application to the CPP program. I look forward to working with all of the stakeholders to see this project come to fruition in the next year, and hope to see our children and residents using these facilities in the near future!
Mayor Chris Cerino
Robbi Behr says
HOORAY!!!!!!!! So excited that this is happening.
William Short says
It was great to work with Chestertown and the BOE on this project and I can’t wait for completion …the community will be very pleased.I would also like to thank the state of Maryland who found us a priority in their budget to make this happen.
CC Bill Short
Muriel Cole says
Thank you, thank you to everyone for your efforts!!!! Wonderful news for Kent County.