Bringing the Park to Life: Community and County Collaborate for a Better Brownswoods Park

The 2nd Meeting with Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks took place on 2/2/2023 at Brownswoods Park/Ball Diamond. The attendees of the meeting included representatives from the Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks (RP), members of the community, and representatives from the Anne Arundel Father's Day Foundation (AFDF). The meeting was led by Jessica Leys, Director, Erica Matthews, Deputy Director, and Meg Fitzsimmons, Admin.

The meeting was an opportunity for the community to voice their concerns and for the county to listen and address those concerns. During the meeting, the AFDF representatives showed key points of the park and provided examples of the shortfalls of having the wooden pillars in place. The county and the community discussed the entry points of the park, and the county expressed a commitment to working with the community to find a mutually beneficial solution.

The county discussed immediate measures that can be taken into consideration, such as renaming the park in honor of AFDF's ancestors, planting trees, and adding a plaque. Additionally, the county talked about the possibility of adding more features to the park, including golf options, waste management, dog waste bags, and more trash and recycling containers.

The final decision regarding the wooden pillars is still being discussed, and the county claimed that the field is only being used for practice at the moment. However, the limit of turnaround space was showcased. Overall, the meeting was productive and provided a clear indication that both the county and the community are committed to working together to find a solution that meets the needs of the community and preserves the historical significance of the park.

In conclusion, the 2nd Meeting with Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks was a positive step towards finding a mutually beneficial solution for the community and the county. The meeting was an opportunity for the community to voice their concerns, and for the county to listen and address those concerns. The county expressed a commitment to working with the community and being transparent about the decision-making process, and the community expressed a willingness to work with the county.