At the May 19, 2026 Open Work Session, the Wicomico County Council unanimously agreed to send a letter supporting the Parks and Recreation application for a Program Open Space land conversion.
The Baltimore Sun published an article titled "Connelly Mill property fuels fight between Wicomico residents and county leaders." While we appreciate the coverage, several statements made by Executive Giordano require correction based on public records, meeting minutes, and official resolutions.
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.
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!
Crucial Note: The County is asking for feedback about partnership park locations. Be sure to mention Connelly Mill Park!
Last updated 9 months ago
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.
Last updated 9 months ago
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.
Last updated 1 year ago
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Wicomico County has a unique opportunity to create a legacy for future generations. Connelly Mill Park, with its 234 acres of forests, wetlands, and waterways, holds the potential to become a thriving hub for recreation, conservation, and community connection. Imagine a place where families can hike and kayak, children can learn about nature, and neighbors can gather and connect. Attend the Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and voice your support for this transformative project. By investing in Connelly Mill Park, we invest in the health, well-being, and the future of our community.
Last updated 1 year ago
Last updated 1 year ago
The public hearing on the resolution 95-2024 is to discuss the purchase of 41.2 acres of land for the purpose of acquiring soil cover for the Newland Park Landfill. Residents raised concerns about the potential environmental impacts, financial costs, and long-term plans for the property. They highlighted the similarities with the acquisiton of the Connelly Mill property in 2018 and how the promised made to impacted stakeholders supporting the donation of the land had been broken. They emphasized the need for transparency and thorough due diligence throughout the process.
The Council responded by explaining that the property would be used for mining soil towards Business Route 50. They assured the public that this would be a cost-effective solution in the long term. The question regarding the remaining lifespan of the Connelly Mill site was also raised. The Council responded that they are collecting information on the matter and are committed to finding a solution.
Last updated 2 years ago
Last updated 2 years ago
Last updated 2 years ago
The NRCAC urges the County / Executive to reconsider the use of the Connelly Mill property, advocating for its transformation into a passive recreation area with trails and outdoor water activities, while preserving its ecological significance and expressing concerns about the recent approval of off-road vehicular traffic.
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Tell Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor: STOP SAFARI AT THE QUARRY
Last updated 2 years ago
We will be voicing our concern for the "Safari at the Quarry" events at the proposed Connelly Mill Park property.
An Open Work Session is scheduled to take place after lunch in the Council Chambers, here are the details from the Agenda:
Proposed Regulations on Outside Motor Sports Events on County Property – Mr. Paul Wilber, Esq., County Attorney, and Mr. Steve Miller, Director of Recreation, Parks & Tourism
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The first event "Jeep Fest at the Quarry" was not cancelled. The event took place on May 4-5, 2024 despite numerous problems including contractual, environmental, zoning, and ethical:
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The "Safari at the Quarry" events are facing mounting legal challenges. Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor has written a letter to Live Wire Media LLC (Brad Hoffman) and County Executive (Julie Giordano) asserting that the events are in violation of the city's residential zoning code. The Wicomico County Council has also written a letter to the County Executive that states the event organizers have breached their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). These breaches include violation of the zoning code, use of land not included in the MOU, improper notification, and failure to obtain necessary city approval. The Council requests immediate termination of the MOU by end of business TODAY, April 23, 2024. This situation is developing rapidly and could result in the cancellation of the off-roading events.
On September 2nd 2023, the Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano unilaterally entered a contract with Livewire LLC to host 4x4 off road events on land the County acquired through donation in 2019. These events, known as "Safari at the Quarry" or "Jeep Fest at the Quarry" are advertised as "the ultimate 4x4 playground" and purport to "build a community of 4x4 culture around this amazing facility". Such use stands to have numerous detrimental impacts, not only on the residential communities closest to the events but to Wicomico County as a whole.
Mike Goldberg, a resident of our community presented at the Open Work Session on the topic of Safari at the Quarry or Jeep Fest at the Quarry. View the Open Work Session presentation and public comment:
Although the property is owned by Wicomico County, it is situated within the corporate boundaries of the City of Salisbury and is, therefore, subject to the City's zoning code.
In accordance with Title 17 of the Salisbury zoning code, use of the property for the off-road events known as "Safari at the Quarry" is a clear and unambiguous code violation. Although the County Executive entered into a contract with Live Wire Media to stage these events within the city limits, the county has no legal authority to override or disregard Salisbury's zoning code.
The City of Salisbury government is fully authorized to enforce its zoning code by taking the necessary legal measures to stop these off-road events.
April 2, 2024: Sheriff Mike Lewis voices his opposition to Safari at the Quarry or Jeep Fest at the Quarry and exposes lies told to the community. Watch below:
In addition, we believe that the County Executive did not perform adequate due diligence before entering into a contract with Live Wire LLC, the event organizer. We argue that the contract is poorly drafted and exposes the county to financial and legal risks (see our formal objections linked below). We also believe that the events will have negative impacts on the surrounding community, including noise, traffic, and property values.
Watch the video clip below regarding Councilman Joe Holloway's questions on this topic, and responses from Brad Hoffman and Julie Giordano. There will also be unintended consequences of increased illegal off road traffic (despite assurances that the site is secured, residents are still contending with this illegal traffic multiple times a week).
We ask that the May 4-5, 2024 event be canceled and the contract terminated. We also urge the County Executive to involve the County Council and affected stakeholders in future decisions of this nature.
Key points to consider:(see the Event Organizer's Facebook page and website)
Many members of our community showed up to voice our concerns at the March 19, 2024, County Council Meeting. The county graciously heard us allowing time to truly understand what we are facing. Below are links to several statements. More will be added as we gather them. We will also link the recorded County Council meeting once it has been added to their website.