Wicomico County residents have long envisioned Connelly Mill Park as a vibrant, inclusive space for everyone to enjoy. This 234-acre tract of natural beauty, with its forests, creeks, wetlands, and a 22-acre lake, was generously donated to the County... Read More
On September 10, Public Works revealed the Administration’s new dredge storage plan at a meeting of the NRCAC. This plan proposes to dump forest slash into the pits of Connelly Mill, and encapsulate them with dredge spoils from the Wicomico River. The stated purpose of this plan would be to create carbon credits and wetland mitigation banks while dealing with the Dredge Storage Crisis.
This new dredge-dumping plan is unnecessary, fiscally reckless, environmentally questionable, and completely ignores years of public input regarding Connelly Mill Park. It also betrays the original intention of the donation and the promises made during that process.
A private for-profit company Live Wire Media LLC has entered into a contract to create an off-road vehicle park at the Connelly Mill property located in Salisbury. Events planned to run at this site include: "Jeeps at the Quarry", "Open Wheeling", "Quads at the Quarry", and "Broncos at the Quarry". Dates are To Be Determined (TBD) and are tentative for Spring, Summer, Fall 2024. Additional dates may be completed by mutual consent of the County and Live Wire Media LLC.
Since the land was donated in 2019, Wicomico County's Capital Improvement Programs (CIPs) consistently promised "Connelly Mill Park," a space for leisure and recreation shaped by public input. The park at Connelly Mill was also featured as a specific project to meet Goal 4 of vibrant communities in the Tri-County Council's Comprehensive Strategic Development Plan for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.
December 16, 2025 - Council Rejects Connelly Mill Dredge Plan
This week on December 16, Adam Corry from Public Works presented a plan to use Connelly Mill as a storage site for dredge spoils from the Wicomico River. The County Council was quick to defend the original vision for Connelly Mill Park. Almost immediately after the dredge storage plan was presented, Councilmembers from both parties voiced strong opposition to using Connelly Mill, citing the overwhelming feedback from the public over the years.
November 18, 2025 - County Parks Survey
Wicomico County is updating its Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan (LPPRP) for the next five years. This is your chance to make sure Connelly Mill Park is included in this plan!
November 14, 2025 - Open Agenda interview
An in-depth discussion on the fight to save Connelly Mill Park from a proposed dredge spoil dump, highlighting risks to the Paleochannel, massive taxpayer costs, and a breach of public trust.
November 4, 2025 Public Comment about Dredge Storage Plan at Connelly Mill Park
On September 10, Public Works revealed the Administration’s new dredge storage plan at a meeting of the NRCAC. This plan proposes to dump forest slash into the pits of Connelly Mill, and encapsulate them with dredge spoils from the Wicomico River. The stated purpose of this plan would be to create carbon credits and wetland mitigation banks while dealing with the Dredge Storage Crisis.
September 23rd Secretary Josh Kurtz of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources toured Connelly Mill along with Pemberton and Pirate's Wharf Parks as possible opportunities for Partnership Parks with the state of Maryland!
View the most recent news articles related to Connelly Mill Park, Safari At The Quarry, and other threats like the Dredge Spoil Dump:
- sierraclub.org
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Wicomico County CIP Hearing Nov 14, 2025wmdt.com
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Open Agenda TV S2 E68 Connelly Mill Park; Muckraking in Wicomico: Where to Dump the Dredge Spoils? Nov 14, 2025openagendawicomico.com
The entire Safari at the Quarry project was unknown to both the general public and the County Council until concerned citizens began to see advertising for it on Facebook. They then reached out to County Executive Julie Giordano who left them with more questions than answers. Several of these concerned citizens brought the issue to the County Council's attention through public comment. The County Council affirmed that it was the first they were hearing of it and held an Open Work Session on December 5, 2023.
The County Charter allows the County Executive to enter into contracts unilaterally without the County Council or public hearings if the contract is for events held within one year of the signed date of the contract. County Executive Julie Giordano signed this MOU/Contract with Live Wire Media LLC. for 364 days, one day short of the year which would have required her to hold public hearings. She has clearly stated on record that her intention is to hold the events in order to show that it is successful without any input from affected stakeholders.
Safari At The Quarry
The affected property on Connelly Mill Road consists of 3 parcels: 167, 168 and 169. It is a place of profound natural beauty and home to abundant wildlife. The event site provides habitat for many species, including, but not limited to, bald eagles, foxes, turkeys, white tail deer and a variety of migratory waterfowl. Each of these species will be impacted by noise and habitat destruction, and in some cases will likely be displaced. Videos released to promote the event show jeeps driving through the tall grasses and natural habitats, further damaging this diverse and beautiful place.
Dredge Spoil Dump
Wicomico River dredge sediment from the river's industrialized upper reaches likely contains contaminants like PCBs or other heavy metals such as nickel and cadmium. Dumping this material over the Paleochannel — the region's main water source — is an unacceptable risk even if spot testing is done. Over time, toxic material will reach the water supply aquifer. The transportation of dredge with the trucks alone would release an estimated several thousand tons of carbon into the atmosphere. The idea of "carbon sequestration" by encapsulating the forest slash with dredge appears to be "greenwashing".
Safari At The Quarry
No financial review (proforma) of the event organizer (Live Wire Media LLC) was done before the contract. This makes it impossible to predict if the event will be profitable for the county. No economic or community impact studies were conducted. This raises concerns about potential costs to the county and nearby residents (traffic, noise, etc.).
Dredge Spoil Dump
The plan would require potentially tens of thousands of truckloads for dredge transportation, and cost taxpayers millions, not including the possible tens of thousands of additional truckloads for the forest slash.
Key Documents & Important Background Information
Access essential reports, official correspondence, and foundational documents that shed light on the Connelly Mill Park controversy and our advocacy efforts.
Most recent resources (click to view):
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Executive's FY2027-31 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Presentation
Nov 12, 2025 -
Connelly Mill Park Booklet
Sep 20, 2025 -
Wicomico County Council to Host the Department of Natural Resources Josh Kurtz Starting With A Tour Of Connelly Mill Property
Sep 18, 2025 -
Safari at the Quarry Audit Resolution 49-2025 Full
May 20, 2025 -
Safari at the Quarry Audit Resolution 49-2025 - Exhibit D (County Council Response)
May 8, 2025
View the most recent council meetings:
View the most recent testimonials, or view all:
Thank you very much for your email. To my knowledge that is the long term goal is for Connelly mill to become a park. Thank you, James Winn
I may not be a Wicomico resident, but I do come up here often and spend money here (sales tax) and the largest draw and reason is the Naylor Mill trail system. I've met other non-residents at the trails (who are also spending money), here for the sole reason of those trails. People like me come here several times a month, however other areas compete for my time, such as the trails in the Virginia Beach and Williamsburg areas. Adding more in Wicomico would draw me and others here more frequently. What benefits residents better, people like me coming here near weekly and spending money, or a few large events a year, that will likely not even make a profit for the county after all is accounted for? And that's only looking at the purely financial aspect of it. Never mind the proven benefits public parks and greenspaces have on residents. And further, an argument that Naylor Mill already has these and expansion is not needed is false. The Connolly Mill area has a large pond and additionally varied terrain that can be utilized for more variety of trails and activities, which again, makes it more competitive with other location's trail networks.
We own a Ford Bronco Sport 'Badlands' with decent off-road capability, but we support the preservation of the park. The land should be managed for use by the greatest number of people -- not to generate profit for a private business. Do the right thing.
As a resident of Wicomico county, I would much rather be able to freely enjoy this green space that was donated with the intention of being a park as a park than as a private jeep safari that resident would have to pay for access. This completely defeats the purpose of the park as it would disturb the environment in a way that is not conducive to protecting the nature there. Additionally, while I am a Jeep owner and go off-roading sometimes, I think this area would serve more people as a free public park than the much more limited subset of people that want to pay to drive off road.
It should be used as it was donated for. Shameful the lack of transparency by the county. $ will be made…
There are many ways you can help save Connelly Mill Park:
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Wicomico County Council meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday at 6pm, and 3rd Tuesday at 10:00am every month.
Government Office Building
125 N. Division St., Salisbury, MD 21083
View the Wicomico County Agenda website
The Salisbury MD City Council meets in regular session on the second and fourth Monday of each month and in work session on the first and third Monday.
Government Office Building
125 N. Division St., Salisbury, MD 21083