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!
Crucial Note: The County is asking for feedback about partnership park locations. Be sure to mention Connelly Mill Park!
November 14, 2025 - Open Agenda interview
Last updated 1 month 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.
November 4, 2025 Public Comment about Dredge Storage Plan at Connelly Mill Park
Last updated 2 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.
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!
Update: this event has passed. View the PAC14 video update from Councilman James Winn below:
Councilman James Winn's Town Hall Update:
November 19 County Council Meeting
Last updated 1 year ago
Update: this event has passed. View the PAC14 video coverage below:
Public Comment:
November 13 Public Hearing on Capital Improvement Plan
Last updated 1 year ago
Update: this event has passed. There was an amazing turnout in support of Connelly Mill Park! Representatives from local environmental groups(Sierra Club and Wicomico Environmental Trust), biking and bird watching clubs, and many outdoor enthusiasts in Wicomico County spoke about the importance of preserving this unique and ecologically irreplaceable place. Others who did not speak were there in solidarity. View the PAC14 video coverage below:
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.
Update: this event has passed. Many people showed up to voice concerns. See the event details page for additional video coverage from PAC14 YouTube.
August 20 County Council Meeting
Last updated 1 year ago
Update: this event has passed. Many people showed up to voice concerns. See the event details page for additional video coverage from PAC14 YouTube.
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.
August 6 County Council Meeting
Last updated 1 year ago
Update: this event has passed. Many people showed up to voice concerns about Safari at the Quarry contract/MOU and support for Legislative Bill No. 2024-06 regarding county property and vehicle use requiring Council approval. The County Executive vetoed this bill, and tonight the Council voted to override the veto with a 6 to 1 vote with Councilman James Winn voting against. See the event details page for additional video coverage from PAC14 YouTube.
Update: this event has passed. Many people showed up to voice concerns for Connelly Mill Park and support for Legislative Bill No. 2024-06 regarding county property and vehicle use requiring Council approval. See the event details page for additional video coverage from PAC14 YouTube.
Natural Resource Conservation Advisory Committee (NRCAC)
Letter to Council and Executive Offices dated June 17, 2024
Last updated 1 year 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.
Update: this event has passed. Many people showed up to voice concerns for Connelly Mill Park. This meeting had many people speaking about a different issue regarding proposed changes to the County Charter, and Budget issues. See the event details page for additional video coverage from PAC14 YouTube.
County Council meeting Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 10am
Last updated 1 year ago
Update: this event has passed. Below is the Open Work Session on the proposed legislation on Outside Motor Sports Events on County Property. See the event details page for additional video coverage from PAC14 YouTube.Open Work Session on Outside Motor Sports Events Proposed Legislation:
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
"Safari at the Quarry" First Event Was Not Cancelled
Last updated 1 year ago
Tuesday's May 7th, 2024 County Council Meeting just passed. See the event details page for video coverage from PAC14 YouTube.Public Comment (Part 1 starting with Brad Hoffman):
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:
Contractual (excerpts from letter from County Council to Julie Giordano)
Failing to obtain all licenses, permits and governmental approvals needed
Placing the event course outside the property identified in the MOU
Failing to properly inform neighboring property owners of the scheduled events
Environmental (excerpts from NRCAC, WET, and Sierra Club)
National Resource Conservation Advisory Committee (NRCAC) re-advised County that Off Road Vehicle usage is inconsistent with the stated objectives for acquiring the property and responsible use of the land.
Wicomico Environmental Trust (WET) advises that the water quality of the Wicomico could be endangered by inappropriate development of this park and current plans to turn the area into a site for off-road events fail to take these considerations into account.
Lower Eastern Shore Group, Sierra Club MD Chapter "strongly urges the parties involved to resolve this matter in a way that preserves the natural surroundings of the contested property, that respects the urgent need in our urban communities to protect what land remains undeveloped, and that elevates the interests of the residents of Wicomico County, who are the intended beneficiaries of the donation of this property, over any claim that any private entity makes to profit from and disrupt this property at the same time."
Zoning Violation (excerpts from City of Salisbury Attorney letter)
The City of Salisbury finds the events are not a permitted use in the R-8A Residential zoning district
The City of Salisbury finds use of the property by Live Wire Media LLC is clearly private in nature and does not fall within any exemption of the City's Zoning Code
Ethical
The County Executive Julie Giordano continues to claim that the County Council killed the park in 2021. This is not true. See Meeting Minutes and Open Work Session Minutes on the County's website. Connelly Mill Park was always advocated for- by both residents and Wicomico County officials.
The County Executive signed the MOU for 364 days which allowed her to bypass public and Council input and engagement.
The County Executive signed a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) in December 2022 which allocated $100,000 to the development of Connelly Mill Park Master Plan. This CIP promised multiple opportunities for public input and engagement regarding the future of this property.
The County Executive removed the Connelly Mill Park Master Plan in the following year in 2023 without any of the promised public input or engagement. This happened after she signed the MOU with Live Wire Media LLC (off-road event organizer).
April 23 Breaking News
Last updated 1 year ago
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.
Local Community Under Siege: County Executive Overrides Residents' Concerns
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.
The fate of the long-awaited Connelly Mill park hangs in the balance due to the County Executive's unilateral decision. Donated in 2019, the property was envisioned as a park space after extensive public input. Stakeholders like the Wicomico's Natural Resource Conservation Advisory Committee, Department of Recreation Parks & Tourism, local non-profits, residents, and nearby neighborhoods actively participated in shaping the park's future. Now, their voices are silenced, leaving them wondering if the County Executive's decision respects the community's vision and the years of invested effort.
April 15 Salisbury City Council Work Session "Safari at the Quarry" or "Jeep Fest at the Quarry" Presentation
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.
Zoning Violation:
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.
Uphold the Law:
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.
The events will act as a foot in the door to utilize this land solely for off road enthusiasts instead of becoming a recreational park to serve ALL the citizens of Wicomico County as originally intended with the donation of the land.
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:
The County Council has expressed extreme opposition and the County Executive is ignoring not only constituent concerns, but the Council's as well. Watch the Council's public comments.
The County Executive has yelled, screamed, and berated the president of HOA of the nearest residential community and continued to belittle and demean residents after making public comment at the March 19, 2024, County Council Meeting.
The contract is poorly written and exposes the county to financial and legal risks. We believe the County Executive did not perform proper due diligence before signing the contract.
Julie Giordano has been fully notified of the flaws inherent in this deal and to move forward is reckless and negligent.
We believe this is an inappropriate exercise of power, and we urge the County Executive to involve the County Council and affected stakeholders in future decisions.
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.