The Facts:

This statement implies the entire 234-acre property is an active mine. However, the official MDE Surface Mining Exemption Permit (#18-WI-0003) strictly limits operations.

• 185 Acres are Untouched: Since the permit restricts mining to roughly 55 acres (including ponds), the remaining ~185 acres are not a work site and could be available for the recreational purposes originally intended. In fact- Parks and Recreation suggested this use during the initial Program Open Space conversion discussions.

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• State-Mandated Area Limit: The MDE permit explicitly states: "The permit area shall not exceed 55.75 acres".
• Restricted Mining Area: Then-Director Weston Young stated, "the permit area shall not exceed 55.75 acres." Approximately 37 acres of that are ponds, leaving only ~18 acres for active equipment movement.
• Public Works Confirmation: In the June 1, 2021 Work Session , Deputy Director Mark Whitelock confirmed the usable mining space is capped due to wetlands and environmental impact areas.

The Facts:

Public records show the park concept was active well into the current administration's term.

• The Core Issue

  The Claim: The park was removed from planning before the current Executive took office.

  The Reality: Connelly Mill Park was funded in the Executive's own 2022 CIP before she unilaterally removed it in 2023.

  2017 — 2018

  The Acquisition

  Initially privately owned by Connelly Mill Associates LLP. The landowners expressed a desire to donate the land to the County, prioritizing public use over private profit.

  • 2017: The Natural Resource Conservation Advisory Committee formally recommends accepting the donation.
  • 2018: Wicomico County accepts the donation. The plan: 7-10 years of soil mining followed by conversion into a low-impact recreational park.

  2018 — 2022

  The Commitment

  Connelly Mill Park was included in every Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) during this period.

  • 2020 CIP: Funding secured via West Metro sales and POS land conversion.
  • 2021 CIP: Funding escalated to separate status, establishing the park as a standalone priority equal to West Metro Core.
  • Regional Priority: Recognized in the Tri-County Council Economic Development Strategy from 2022-2024 under "Goal 4: Vibrant Communities."

  2022 — 2023

  The Reversal

  Despite previous claims, the current administration initially supported the project before quietly killing it.

  • 2022: Executive Giordano includes funding for Connelly Mill Park in her first CIP, contradicting claims that it was removed prior to her term.
  • 2023: Executive Giordano removes funding from the CIP without public input, departing from years of consistent planning.

  2023 — Present

  The Public Mandate

  Following the removal of funding, the community launched a sustained two-year advocacy campaign that made Connelly Mill Park the dominant topic at the County Executive's CIP Public Hearings .

  • Unprecedented Pressure: The Executive faced enormous pushback through letter campaigns, petitions , news stories , and sustained public comment .
  • Broad Coalition: Support was formally communicated by a diverse coalition of government bodies, environmental groups, and civic organizations.
  • The Reinstatement: bowing to this overwhelming constituent pressure, Executive Giordano eventually added Connelly Mill Park back into the CIP in 2024.
• Addressing Misconceptions: The County Council addressed any misconceptions the public or the Executive may have regarding the support for Connelly Mill Park, especially during the discussions surrounding the conversion of Program Open Space from West Metro Core Park to Connelly Mill Park in 2021. See the official public statements where the County Council clear up any misconceptions.
  
• Conflicting Statements About Funding: The County Executive and members of her staff including Director of Administration Bunky Luffman have given conflicting statements about the inclusion of Connelly Mill Park on their Capital Improvement Plan. Most notably they have indicated that it was removed because mining would continue longer than 5 years which is the lifespan of the CIP document. This does not match the historical record as Connelly Mill Park was included in the CIP as soon as mining began and stayed on the CIP every year until Safari at the Quarry. Further illustrating discrepancy in this logic, Julie Giordano added the park back to the CIP the year following Safari at the Quarry in spite of the previous statements saying that it could not be on the CIP while mining was still active.

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  View more information about the history of funding
• The Administration's Own Submission: Connelly Mill Park was included in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) submitted by County Executive Giordano herself on December 17, 2022 , after she took office.
• Tri-County Council Escalation: Connelly Mill Park was then escalated to the regional Tri-County Council Economic Development Strategy for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 . This escalation is proof of the strong local and regional support of developing Connelly Mill Park- it goes beyond just a line item on a wish list.
• The Timeline of Abandonment: The park concept was only removed from the CIP in late 2023 View File, coinciding with the signing of the "Safari at the Quarry" MOU (September 2, 2023) .
• Official Intent: Resolution 146-2018 explicitly states the County desires to own the property "to use for recreational purposes.". Public Officials (County Council) repeatedly make statements supporting the development of Connelly Mill Park, and other park projects.

The Facts:

Internal communications obtained via PIA request (below) reveal an intentional effort to bypass the County Council (and public) approval process.

Email Evidence (September 13, 2023):
In an email to the event organizer, Executive Giordano wrote: "Could we make a minor change to the MOU stating that it will only be 12 months... The 17 month contract May have to go to council which we don't want to do."

Furthermore, during the December 5, 2023 Work Session, when asked if the 364-day term was chosen to avoid Council oversight, the Executive admitted, "that was one of the reasons, yeah."

The Facts:

Comparing ball fields to the Paleochannel (our region's primary drinking water supply) ignores the critical risk factor.

• Contamination Risks: Public Works mentioned (Sept 23, 2025) indications of nickel and cadmium in Wicomico River dredge spoils, and that Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) would require sampling analysis.
• Sampling Failures: Representative sampling is not foolproof. On October 7, 2025, the County Council discussed an incident at the Airport where soil contamination was missed despite testing , resulting in that budget item being "blown out of the water" (~$184,750) for remediation costs. This becomes even more concerning when the soils are going to be placed over the Paleochannel and the headwaters of the Wicomico River.
• The Stakes: Unlike a ball field, Connelly Mill sits directly atop the Paleochannel. Runoff from this site flows downhill toward environmentally sensitive areas and our water source. The citizens of Wicomico literally drink this water.