Welcome to the Save Connelly Mill Park Movement!

Connelly Mill Dredge Storage Update: "Off The Books"

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.

Thank you to Council President John Cannon and Councilmen Hastings and Holloway, for listening to your constituents and protecting the public's trust!

River Dredge Storage Plan at Connelly Mill

At a Natural Resource Conservation Advisory Committee meeting on September 10, 2025, Public Works leaders presented a plan about where the County plans to store Wicomico River dredge spoils. This plan proposes to dump forest slash into the lakes of Connelly Mill, and encapsulate them with dredge spoils from the Wicomico River. This new dredge-dumping plan is unnecessary, fiscally reckless, environmentally questionable, and completely ignores years of public input regarding Connelly Mill Park.

Interview With Park Advocate Mikele Dahlen

Mikele explains that her family moved to the area specifically because of the promised park, a vision that began in the 2010s under County Executive Bob Culver. The land, which had been used to excavate soil for the bypass, was donated to the county. The original plan was hailed as a "testament to good governance", created with input from all stakeholders, including environmental groups and local neighborhoods.

State & Local Officials Tour Connelly Mill

On September 23, 2025, citizens of Wicomico gathered at Connelly Mill, joined by several officials from Delmar, County Council, Regional Delegation, and the State. Secretary Josh Kurtz of the Department of Natural Resources toured Connelly Mill along with Pemberton and Pirate's Wharf Parks last week as possible opportunities for Partnership Parks with the state of Maryland!

Capital Improvement Plan Hearing

Over the years, dedicated advocates for Connelly Mill Park have consistently demonstrated their commitment to preserving this valuable resource by attending opportunities to engage with elected officials. The recent Capital Improvement Program Public Hearing was no exception. Listen to the many voices supporting Connelly Mill Park at this recent CIP hearing.

The CIP will be presented to the County Council for a Public Hearing on January 6, 2026 . We encourage you to attend or send a letter to County officials!

Parks and Recreation Survey

Every five years, Wicomico County updates its Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan to better meet the needs of its citizens. They just released the 2025 Survey in mid-November to the public. The results of this survey will guide the County in its planning of parks, recreation and open space. The survey will run for a few months. If you live in Wicomico County be sure to fill it out and consider writing in Connelly Mill Park!

Growing Our Voice

Earlier in 2025 we have officially crossed the 1,000 signature mark on our petition to Save Connelly Mill Park. This sends a powerful signal to the Wicomico County Administration that the community is united against the proposed development. The current proposal to use this park site to dump dredge spoils could delay the park's opening for 30 years and endanger the Paleochannel water source for the region. Please continue to sign and share to help us protect this vital resource!