January 24, 2023–The first of many focus groups met this morning in Town Hall to add their feedback to the anticipated Park and Recreation Master Plan.
About 9 stakeholders convened with consultants hired by the town to add their comments, thoughts and ideas to the planning exercise.
“It is a road map for the next 10 to 15 years,” consultant James Mickle said. “We want to hear from everyone. We want their input.”
“I’m in favor of improving Eleanor Park and a North Park, but we need to focus also on improving existing parks…like Castlewood Park, ” stated Paige Williams.
One concern to town resident Christy Maupin was the impact of tourism on town residents. “Don’t let the resident’s get lost in our (tourism) industry,” she told Mickle.
Eric Nelso, a town realtor, noted, “Parks and greenspace are super important to attracting new people to our town…who will contribute to our community.”
The following were among some of the topics identified in today’s focus group:
Underserved people: youth, seniors, handicapped, young singles.
Needed amenities: public pool, splash pad (mini-water park), pavilion at Eleanor Park, bike path to Monroe Hall, pickle ball courts, better use of the Potomac, re-installing of jellyfish netting at public beach area, dedicated walking trail around the Point.
Needed activities: mid-week concert series in the park during the summer, senior field trips, classes: yoga, CPR, candle making, hobbies, sport’s workshops, arts.
Priorities: increased budget for the Park and Recreation Department, increased communication with the public, organize volunteers to help the department, establishment of long-term capital improvement plan; fix, improve and maintain existing parks; amenities for the north side of town, combine arts with the parks, give the youth something to do.
Visit the Town of Colonial Beach website to learn of additional focus groups and town meetings on this topic.
Top photo and clockwise: Maryann Day and Kathleen Moran tag types of amenities that they favor. Focus group met on Tuesday morning at Town Hall. BerryDunn consultant James Mickle leads the discussion. Staff photo.