I believe there should be lots of public input and engagement on this unique property

James

Being a resident closer to the event location, I strongly support the revolt against Safari at the Quarry and also support reinstatement of Connelly Mill Park

Abhilash

I have family that lived near here and I spend time at this park and don't want to see this peaceful location taken away.

Breezy

Destruction of natural resources by ATV for personal enjoyment is unsustainable as well as disrespectful to the general public.

Bob

I'm very concerned about the environmental damage and impact these events could cause to the Paleo Aquifer.

Maria

Please protect and value the Quarry from erosion and environmental damages

Ronald

The land should be used in accordance with protection and preservation of the land/wildlife. It should not be used as a money grab. Additionally, the people who live in that area should have been given the rights to object to this ridiculous event.

Krista

I find the county executive to be disingenuous in this matter.

John

I am astonished that such a beautiful site that was donated for purposes of a natural park has now been turned over to a private developer. There are so few such natural sites in the region and this one deserves my support for its preservation as a public park space for this and coming generations.

Philippe

Why are still allowing Julie Giordano to make decisions? She lies...it's not for one weekend, according to the outfit she partnered with. Preserve Connelly Mill Park, and get rid of Giordano.

Steve

I love public parks.

Elizabeth

This is inherently wrong of a business to be able to make money on the use of what should be a county owned public property.

Charity

This is abuse of the County Executive Power to overrule the specific requirements for use specified in the original donation. The proposed use as a 4x4 playground for 200-500 vehicles will cause environmental damage and destroy important wildlife habitat. It can potentially impact our city drinking water source. As a Wicomico County voter, I say stop and do my more thought into how to use this property for the best for all citizens.

Linda

The County Executive is ignoring the intent of the donor and the opinions of the citizens.

Susan

SAVE THE PARK! STOP THE SAFARI!!

Sara

protect the quarry from harm!!

Sara

STOP SAFARI AT THE QUARRY!!!!

Sara

Giordano is well known for just doing it her way which is acting like she has the power therefore no oversight. She got royally slapped for hiring people without the Council approval. Then lawyers had to get involved to settle the dispute. This type of behavior is her usual MO. Absolutely NO input from the citizens she serves and who pay her salary. I knew she would be a problem when she tried to hire the 2020 election denier Dan Cox and was not allowed to hire. And look into what these jeep rallies have done in OC. I believe they were booted out. I would take this issue up with those higher up than the County...even at the EPA level.

mm

The county executive told the people they were low class and weren't use to having anything because we don't want this public racetrack in our backyard the county executive needs to go

Jasmine

Just one more thing in a very long list of things that a government "representative" of the people has reneged on. While Wicomico County has a number of smaller parks scattered throughout the county this parcel is ideal for a variety of activities. Yet the county executive seems to think she knows what's best for her constituents and the greater good. Handing over this property to a private enterprise is nothing short of criminal. Maybe she needs to find another avocation.

David

This is the kind of bait and switch that is not needed in Wicomico county. I'm signing because there is no integrity when the people's voices are not heard. Originally, Connelly Mill Park was slated to be a park for public use and NOT a commercial enterprise to be developed whereby the county would get a kickback of %10 per event with no limitations or boundaries set forth. Once in private hands, this will now become a commercial enterprise having had no transparency as to how this changed hands or why. I am FOR preserving the park for public use.

Gayle

Ms Giordano seems to have made a public park into a private for profit entity and lied to citizens while doing so.

Stephanie

From their own Facebook page, it doesn't sound like a one-time thing like Mrs Giordano is claiming. The ultimate off-road paradise coming to the eastern shore. We will be hosting events in the spring summer and fall of 2024. We will be building this facility out this winter, and spring. Please share this page to people like it. We are going to build a community of 4x4 culture around this amazing facility.

L

Parks such as this one should be left to public use and preserved for future generations to enjoy. They should not be sold off.

Herring

I was under the believe that this land was donated with the intent of it being a public park. Events hosted specifically through private parties and used for off-road vehicle entertainment indicates it won't be available for the public any further.

Joshua

Please help us preserve nature, we can help the earth!

Ashley

I believe in preserving natural space for natural play and healing. Not just for the environment, but for the animals and people that need it too. There are not many wild spaces left in this area, and this is a gem that was designated to remain a natural park but was silently bought out with plans that alter the natural environment beyond return.

Tiffany

People are always in favor of things.. as long as it's not in their backyards..move it to your backyard.. .

Linda

Keep what little high quality land for all the living kinds that is open to the public that way!

James

The people's choice was not considered. The original plans is for all residents, not just quad owners with money

Kristi

Deception and trying to hide what is really going on from the public and a terrible decision by the county executive.

Jean

I love this beautiful spot--the woods are like a cathedral---allowing off-road vehicles would be such a violation of this space!

Lexine

I do not want to see the land that was planned for public suet be now private-venture run. I am also concerned about preserving the ecosystem.

Amy

I'm signing this petition based facts presented as to the original intent for this property. I believe if one follows the money it will be clear as to why this situation has occurred.

Ron

Keep this park public!!!

James

Public spaces should be used to the benefit of the public. Not just the nearby HOA or the tourists who visit our region, but the whole public. Unilateral decisions by county executives uninformed by the wants and needs of our communities is the type of big government overreach that Giordano promised she would reign in.

Joshua

It's important to preserve nature. Science show we're less stressed in nature.

Felicia

I care because parks should be public for everyone to enjoy!

Maddie

Please do not privatize this beautiful piece of land to be a group’s playground. Continue to protect this area for the sake of the environment and preservation of the Paleo channel. Consider all the environmental changes That occurred in the past two years. Preservation is a key importance

Gail

It should be used as it was donated for. Shameful the lack of transparency by the county. $ will be made…

Dew

As a resident of Wicomico county, I would much rather be able to freely enjoy this green space that was donated with the intention of being a park as a park than as a private jeep safari that resident would have to pay for access. This completely defeats the purpose of the park as it would disturb the environment in a way that is not conducive to protecting the nature there. Additionally, while I am a Jeep owner and go off-roading sometimes, I think this area would serve more people as a free public park than the much more limited subset of people that want to pay to drive off road.

Noah

We own a Ford Bronco Sport 'Badlands' with decent off-road capability, but we support the preservation of the park. The land should be managed for use by the greatest number of people -- not to generate profit for a private business. Do the right thing.

Sherman

I may not be a Wicomico resident, but I do come up here often and spend money here (sales tax) and the largest draw and reason is the Naylor Mill trail system. I've met other non-residents at the trails (who are also spending money), here for the sole reason of those trails. People like me come here several times a month, however other areas compete for my time, such as the trails in the Virginia Beach and Williamsburg areas. Adding more in Wicomico would draw me and others here more frequently. What benefits residents better, people like me coming here near weekly and spending money, or a few large events a year, that will likely not even make a profit for the county after all is accounted for? And that's only looking at the purely financial aspect of it. Never mind the proven benefits public parks and greenspaces have on residents. And further, an argument that Naylor Mill already has these and expansion is not needed is false. The Connolly Mill area has a large pond and additionally varied terrain that can be utilized for more variety of trails and activities, which again, makes it more competitive with other location's trail networks.

Chris

Thank you very much for your email. To my knowledge that is the long term goal is for Connelly mill to become a park. Thank you, James Winn

Councilman