We appreciate the opportunity to connect with you. We’re writing this on behalf of many concerned residents in Wicomico County. For years, the county was on a clear path to develop this land into a unique and much needed public park. That long-standing commitment is now at risk of being overturned. This booklet provides the historical background to show that the community's desire for a park isn't a new request, but the culmination of years of public planning and expectation.

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. A plan was formed by the previous Executive and Council to mine dirt for our landfill in a responsible manner that would create water features for a regional park, offering diverse recreational opportunities while preserving our local ecosystem. This plan was created with the cooperation of both the previous Executive and Legislative branch of the Wicomico government, the Natural Resource Conservation Advisory Committee of Wicomico, and the active and engaged support of community groups, nearby neighbors, and tax paying citizens. Recent developments have left the community fearful for the future of this unique and much needed public park.

Satellite view of the 234 acre property including old-growth forest, a 22 acre lake, 3 headwaters of the Wicomico River, ponds, trails, and some of the highest elevation in the county.

Why Connelly Mill Park Matters

Connelly Mill Park is not just another park; it's a promise made to the community. It represents:

• Improved Quality of Life: Parks directly improve our health, both physically and mentally. They offer spaces for us to connect, exercise, relax, and heal, reducing stress and boosting our well-being.
• Environmental Stewardship: This park is an opportunity to protect the Paleo Channel, a vital water source for Salisbury, as well as the watershed of the Wicomico River. Low-impact activities like hiking, kayaking, birdwatching, and biking would allow us to enjoy this natural treasure responsibly.
• Economic Development: The park has been included in the Tri-County Council's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, with the potential to attract visitors and contribute to our local economy.
• Community Unity: Connelly Mill Park was meant to be a place where all residents could come together, regardless of income or background, to enjoy nature and connect with each other.

The potential of this property to serve the community is unrivaled. While it contains unique topographical features such as high elevations, old growth forests and creeks which form the watershed of the Wicomico River, it is within five miles of downtown Salisbury and it is contained within the City limits. This offers unique access to greenspace to urban residents who otherwise would have none. Access to greenspace grants documented positive outcomes in physical health, mental wellbeing and promotes social growth. Connelly Mill offers the opportunity to reap these benefits to our most vulnerable county residents. It provides equity of access to those who are unable to travel the much greater distances to our other comparable park properties such as Pirate's Wharf.

Connelly Mill Park has been included in the Tri-County Council's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy from 2022 to 2024, with the potential to attract visitors and contribute to our local economy.

Why Connelly Mill Park Matters

According to BEA.gov (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis) the following data reflects the economic and health drivers of Outdoor Recreation in the state of Maryland:

The single largest component of the outdoor recreation economy is "Supporting Outdoor Recreation," valued at $3.92 billion (47.14%). This category explicitly includes local trips and tourism. Wicomico County is missing out on a significant portion of the economic activity generated by these "local trips." In 2023, the Outdoor Recreation industry generated nearly $10 billion in value-added impact (similar to GDP) for the state.

Health Benefits

Wicomico County has the second lowest health ratings in Maryland. Largely this is a result of lack of access to space to exercise. Connelly Mill offers an amazing opportunity to address this issue because of its proximity to the urban center of Salisbury.

Accessible parks encourage physical activity, reducing rates of obesity and chronic disease. The American Public Health Association notes that parks are a major factor in improving mental health, reducing stress and anxiety. This translates to lower healthcare costs for the community.

Parks provide safe, positive spaces for community events and for children to play and socialize. This is especially crucial in areas where accessible, safe recreational options are limited, helping to reduce juvenile delinquency and foster a stronger sense of community.

The 22 acre lake that has been created on the Connelly Mill property provides a beautiful backdrop for physical activity and social gatherings.

Community Ideas for Connelly Mill Park

• Mental Health- Eco therapy individual sessions and groups are already occurring in Henry S. Parker park. Local therapists have expressed support and desire for options to develop and extend their programs to the Connelly Mill property. There is also an opportunity to work with Salisbury University psychology program as well.
• Environmental organizations such as Wicomico Environmental Trust could seek grants for watershed education, environmental stewardship initiatives and projects such as Creekwatchers (monitoring water quality). The site boasts amazing opportunities for youth environmental groups and projects.
• Public Health opportunities could exist through partnerships with Tidal Health or other healthcare providers. These could include greenspace programs to manage diabetes, hypertension, health and mental wellness. Wicomico Health Department could utilize these programs to address being second lowest in health scores for the state and remedy the lack of access to places to exercise.
• Opportunities exist to further the Fine Arts through a sculpture garden for Fulton School of the Liberal Arts at Salisbury University. Students could rotate displays, make thesis projects. There could be collaboration with an Eagle Scout to make an outdoor stage for small performing arts gatherings, poetry, music etc. Eventually in a later phase for the park, perhaps a larger amphitheater could be pursued.
• There is a thriving Disc Golf community on the Eastern Shore. This park could host a large-scale course that could attract big events.
• Many established running groups such as Algonquin Ultras and Eastern Shore Running Club have expressed strong interest in races with terrain which is lacking in the rest of the county. This has a huge potential for tourism.
• Bird Watchers- multiple groups have expressed interest in birding, birding tours/weekends etc which is also a large economic driver.
• Mountain Biking groups have advocated for Connelly Mill Park as a site to pursue their hobby which is unlike any other on the Eastern Shore.
• Hiking and trail enthusiasts see Connelly Mill Park as a huge opportunity to extend miles to the Eastern Shore’s trail systems, especially in connection to the nearby Naylor Mill Forest.
• Zip lining/ Ropes Courses- unique for our area and a huge draw for families
• Water activities- kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, potentially swimming

Recent proposals to use the site for private events (Safari at the Quarry) or heavy industrial purposes (dredge spoil processing & storage) conflict directly with this long-standing community goal and betray a legacy of public commitment.

The community's expectation of a park at Connelly Mill is not a new development. It’s the result of a formal, years-long process that is now at risk.

• 2017 and before - property is privately owned by a partnership “Connelly Mill Associates LLP”. The property has been a nuisance for owners including issues of illegal trespassing, ATV/Dirtbike trespassers, and other crimes. Neighbors surrounding the property help try to solve the nuisances but struggle. Eventually they wish to donate the land to the County
• 2017 - The Natural Resource Conservation Advisory Committee (NRCAC) formally communicated with county leadership about the future of Connelly Mill, stating that “Providing enjoyment and use of the property with a low impact development plan, would not only provide additional recreation opportunities for the County, but equally as important, a way to provide headwater protection of the Paleochannel aquifer and headwaters of the Wicomico River.”
• 2018 - Through collaboration with surrounding neighborhoods and impacted stakeholders, Wicomico County government accepts the land donation. The intended use would be 7-10 years of mining for landfill cover followed by a low impact recreational public park for hiking, biking, birdwatching, and with two large lakes for sailing and fishing.
• 2018-2022 - Connelly Mill Park was consistently included as a funded project in Wicomico County's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP):
  • Fiscal Years 2019-23, 2020-24, 2021-25, 2022-26: included in all proposed CIPs
• 2021 - County Council discusses the possibility of transferring Program Open Space designation from West Metro Core to Connelly Mill, since Connelly Mill has better park potential
• 2022, 2023, 2024 - The park's importance was formally recognized in the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The Connelly Mill Park project was included as a priority under "Goal 4: Vibrant Communities," identifying it as a key asset for improving quality of life and stimulating local economic growth. The Adopted 2022 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan (LPPRP) further solidified the county's official vision for the property's use as a park.
• 2023 - In the proposed FY2023-2027 CIP (dated Dec. 19, 2023), funding for the park was suddenly and unexpectedly removed without public input. This action, which put the park's future in doubt, was a major blow to the community and a departure from years of consistent planning.
• 2024 - A private for-profit company Live Wire Media LLC entered into a 364-day contract with County Administration to create an off-road vehicle park at the Connelly Mill property. Events planned to run at this site include: "Jeeps at the Quarry", "Open Wheeling", "Quads at the Quarry", and "Broncos at the Quarry"
• 2024 - Public outcry (described more following this history) over the lack of transparency regarding the private off-road events, the sudden covert change of use for the property, destroying years of planning and expectation from county residents. “Save Connelly Mill Park” grassroots public initiative is born.
• 2024 - Connelly Mill Park was restored to the Capital Improvement Plan by the Administration for FY 2026-30
• 2025 - at a Natural Resource Conservation Advisory Committee meeting in September, Public Works leaders present a plan about where the County plans to store river dredge spoils and forest slash. “Project Connelly Mill” describes 30 years of storage on the property and putting into doubt the original vision for Connelly Mill Park.

  In December, The County Council was quick to defend the original vision for Connelly Mill Park. Almost immediately after the above plan was presented, Councilmembers from both parties voiced strong opposition to using Connelly Mill, citing the overwhelming feedback from the public over the years.

  98% of our responsibility is to listen to our constituencies and pay attention to what they want and what they don't want. Connelly Mill is off the books based on the fact that we have recognized loud and clear that that really is not an option for Wicomico County based on that one circumstance alone. I think we really have to take that into consideration.

  Tuesday, December 16, 2025

  Council President John Cannon

  Sure - Ok - Loud and Clear - Understood

  Tuesday, December 16, 2025

  Acting Director of Public Works Adam Corry

  In other words, what he's saying, don't put that up there on the board [on the presentation slide]

  Tuesday, December 16, 2025

  Councilmember Joe Holloway

• 2026 - After months of waiting, the Program Open Space Land Conversion is finally being brought forward to the County Council. On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the Council held an Open Work Session regarding the conversion from the West Metro Core property to the Connelly Mill Property. Steve Miller, the Director of Recreation, Parks & Tourism, presented this item. Following the recommendation of Steve Miller, the County Council reached a consensus to move forward with a Program Open Space land conversion that could permanently protect all but 55 acres of the 234-acre Connelly Mill Park.

  The opportunity at Connelly Mill is a tremendous opportunity for a lot of reasons. It's a very unique one that I think would benefit both our residents and visitors to our county.

  Connelly Mill is a unique property. We don't have a lot of properties like it that have elevations like it, that have features like it. And we have an opportunity to provide some amenities that we don't currently have...

  Where it sits, you have the opportunity to connect both to our Henry Parker Athletic Complex, which is a jewel in our park system, and also the City of Salisbury's Naylor Mill Forest, which they have a bunch of trails. And you have the opportunity to connect all three together and really make that a unique and very special opportunity.

  Tuesday, May 19, 2026

  Steve Miller, Director of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism

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Throughout this entire history, the public's desire for the park has never faded. The "Save Connelly Mill Park" initiative is a testament to this enduring vision, backed by a broad and diverse coalition.

Concerns citizens pack a room at a public hearing to have Connelly Mill Park restored on the Capital Improvement Plan

• Over 1,328 petition signers (change.org/SaveConnellyMillPark) and a passionate community (saveconnellymillpark.com)
• Environmental groups like the Wicomico Environmental Trust, Friends of the Nanticoke, and the Sierra Club, have written letters expressing support and concern.
• Council President John Cannon, all members of the County Council, and City Council of Salisbury, as well as Wicomico County's Director of Parks & Recreation maintain their support for the original vision of Connelly Mill Park.
• Numerous residents have voiced their support at public meetings and through email campaigns, citing the need to preserve nature for future generations and to stop what feels like a "bait and switch" that turns a promised public good into a private or industrial enterprise.

Many local residents created signs supporting the park during the Safari at the Quarry events

We respectfully appeal to you to recognize the deep historical and community significance of this property. We ask for your support in urging Wicomico County to honor its original commitment and proceed with the creation of Connelly Mill Park as originally envisioned and planned through community collaboration.

Multiple environmental, sports, and hobby organizations along with dedicated residents have stood up and made their voices heard in order to protect the original vision for Connelly Mill Park.