And one. This is
called to order of the Sykesville Parks and Recreation Commission July 23rd,
2026 meeting starting at 7:02 p.m. And we're off.
Uh the first order of business
is to approve the June 25th, 2026 meeting minutes. We cannot do that cuz
we don't have quorum, so we'll save that for another day.
Uh we had no public comments, so let's go to old business. The children's
library update. Uh maintenance is ready to install the little library whenever
the library is ready.
All right. Um did Chris have anything to say about
that? I know that she knows the lady. >> I don't think she said anything.
» An email explaining the little library should be coming soon, she says.
» Uh she did email me. They're just waiting on the plaque. So, whenever
whenever she gets us to go ahead, public works is ready to
dig a hole. >> Neat.
» All right. Um natural bulletin board update. Limbs
from evergreen and cherry trees have been set aside after a cleanup project
in Jones Park. Further discussion is needed. Pushed from June's meeting. So,
there's you did not find them. >> So, do we know where they are?
» They're too tiny. Went to Jones Park and there's a pile of
» twigs. >> twigs.
» Yeah. >> Not limbs. So, I need 10, 12 foot
limbs. >> Same thing.
» You know, 6-in diameter, somewhere. >> I'll take the twigs.
» I need three of those. Well, there's piles in there.
» Okay. Use them for mulch.
» Yep. And then we still need to determine Well, since I don't know, it sounds like
public works is digging a hole for the library children's library, are they
also digging holes for the sign or >> No.
» They They can, yeah. >> Okay.
» Yeah. >> Okay.
» Good. Just need some wood. >> So, we just need Yep, the wood.
» But, if you ride around town even now, people probably still have down trees in
their backyard. You could cut away and take.
That might be a lot of effort, though. >> Um
» Let freedom ring free. Discussion on how the event went, how the float did, and
if there are any changes needed for next year.
It was hot. Glad.
That was my squirrel. Um I thought the float was very nice.
» Me too. >> Maybe some some
more foliage next time? More trees, bigger trees?
» Yeah, I agree. >> Um
» But, everything turned out >> Everything was nice.
» really well. >> Yeah. Yeah, I think it would be cool,
too, if we could figure out how to make the signs double-sided.
» Yeah. >> So, that you can read it from either
direction. >> Mhm.
But, the signs were nice. >> Thank you.
» They looked very professional. And
» I'd still like to see a swing on there. >> A swing?
» Mhm. >> I like that.
» You can do it. Take a little bit of time.
» cushion in your back.
» That would be cool. >> How was the space like on the float? Was
there enough >> It was fine. Yeah.
Very spacious. Um
» I think it was a great first first draft
» Mhm. >> of the float.
» Mhm. Mhm. Mhm. Anybody else?
How did it look from from a distance? >> You know, I haven't heard anything
negative. >> It was [clears throat] I haven't heard
anything. >> Gross got three points.
» Okay. >> I think they sang or something. They
sang the national anthem or something. >> They did. I heard it.
» Oh, one thing that luckily I didn't know, but it fit anyway, that
the parade had a theme, which was back to your roots.
So, luckily, our float did match that by coincidence.
Um but that's something to keep in mind for next year if they change the theme
every year. Does that mean we have to build a new
float every year or modify it somehow? >> I feel like the concept is simple enough
that it's easy to kind of add or take away from stuff.
» Yeah. >> They can
figure out a way to >> Yeah.
Just stick and still be a park scene, but we can do different things in the
park depending on the theme.
Okay. Uh farmers market and planning
discussion how July farmers market went, if there are any changes needed, and
what date works, who will volunteer to work the table at August.
» You did that with Chris. >> I did with Chris.
» How was it? >> It was a very nice day. We had a nice
location. >> Was it okay without the tent?
» We had a tent. They got us a tent. Um
it was in the center location with like the What do they call it? The youth the
younger >> by the town hall.
» Yeah. And then the music and stuff. Um we didn't get as many signatures as
we've gotten in the past. We did run out of stickers and coloring pages.
So, if we do need more of those and flyers, so we ran out of all of our
materials that we can hand out. Um so, if we're going to do the August one, we
should get more of those things. Are we still going
» It was all being restocked. >> Okay.
Um who can do August Did we talk about dates for August? Was there like a
certain Sunday of the month that we were thinking?
» So, I was coordinating with Sarah, and she said
as long as we were good with that spot they gave you,
that we can just request whatever date.
» Okay. >> And she can accommodate.
» Um >> Um cuz I think it wasn't like an
official spot that she gave us. She kind of just squeezed herself
» Yeah. So, what date did we do that? The 11th?
Is that when that was?
It was or the 12th, sorry, cuz it was the day after the movie.
Um >> Lauren is not going to be able to make
the meeting. >> Okay.
» [clears throat] >> So, if you want to stick to that, we
could do August 9th, which is the second Sunday of the month.
» Do you want to do the Sunday right after the movie?
» Or if we Okay, that's true. Or if we don't want to do double duty on the
weekend, we could do the 16th instead.
Am Am I doing it? I'll do it.
I don't mind it. It's fun. It's relaxing. I haven't done it yet. I
can help. The 30th?
» Yeah, August is I could definitely do September. August is a little tough for
me. >> Uh if you want to do 30th, I'll do 30th.
» Yeah. >> That's fine. I'll be back in school.
» Um I'll email Sarah and then I'll copy both of you
on it. >> Uh from a volunteer standpoint, Kylie
Olson was the woman who was working the uh Carroll County 4-H booth.
» Mhm. Oh, yeah. >> And I had a meeting with her today.
Uh she has a lot of programming that she want to bring down. I did tell her that
we're kind of skeleton crew, so.
» Did Chris give it Did Chris tell you about that? Yes. Did she also tell you
about we met some former employees from Howard County Parks and Rec?
» He did not. >> And they said they'd be open to coming
to one of our meetings and doing a little presentation, just to
show us all the stuff that they've done and maybe give us some new ideas. I have
I mean, Chris I think Chris got a business card to give to you, but I also
have one, so I can just give you this later.
Um but that was really nice. So, we didn't we didn't get a lot of
um, volunteer signatures, but we did meet a couple interesting people that we
could network with and collaborate [snorts] with.
Um.
» Any leads on the open seat? >> Um.
» What about the farmers market? >> We emailed Kyle again.
Did he get back this time? >> No.
» Okay. >> So, at this point, um,
but I'm going to leave it in your guys' capable hands, but that's the fifth time
» Okay. >> reached out to Kyle. So, I think
from my my viewpoint, and I absolutely could be wrong, but I think he really
likes Chris and doesn't want to disappoint her.
So. >> Okay.
Um, I guess I should read this then. SPARK currently has one vacant
commission seat. Residents interested in parks, recreation, community events, and
public spaces are encouraged to apply. Staff continue to share information
regarding the vacancy and welcome recommendations of community members who
may be interested in serving. Anyone who is interested in joining
SPARK should email parks@sykesville.net.
Um, and that's it for the old business. On to new business.
Um, we had to cancel The Princess Bride. Um.
Discussion on the decision to cancel the movie and if the weather policy is still
working. It was a hard decision. It was one of those
50/50 chance if it actually rains substantially, but I think we made the
right call cuz it did rain. >> Yeah.
Joe Joe backed you guys up on that decision. It was like you It rained a
little bit, not a lot, but that's enough to
» Yeah. >> damage equipment. That's not what
This is what it's all about. >> Yeah.
» How long do we have the rights for that one?
» A year. A year. >> So, uh it has been asked on social media
uh whether we would reschedule for this year. Mhm.
Um but of course that means that it is up to you guys. I can't answer for
that. So. >> I think we save it for next year. That's
what we typically do. >> Okay.
» Um >> Or mostly
the possibility of pushing one of the other movies from this year
to next year. >> What other movies do we have?
» Dogman, Goonies, and Scooby Doo.
» I don't want to push the Goonies. I like the Goonies.
» Have you seen uh like feedback and engagement for Dogman upcoming?
» Yeah. >> Okay.
» Dogman will probably be >> Yeah, we probably should push that.
» Um
Chris said she likes the cancellation process.
We looked at weather on many sources. And
Um
Sorry. Uh Chris will be at the Oh, wait. We
haven't got there yet. Um oh, uh we talked about
uh the snack shack refrigerator and the power outage
that happened. Do you know, uh Drew, how long the snack shack was
without power? >> We don't. Um so, Joe and I talked about
that. It was just just toss it. >> Okay, that's what you agreed, right? I
agree. I think we should toss it. >> Yeah, there's there's an unknown there.
It's food, so. >> Yeah.
Um So, we're going to have to restock the
snack shack. Um
» Just toss out the right? >> Well, we had ice cream.
» So, I I mean, up to people's opinion. I Chris said she thought the ice cream was
fine. >> Yeah.
» Because it wasn't obviously melt. You can tell when the ice cream melts and it
refreezes. >> Yeah.
» And if nobody opens a freezer, it's good for like 24 to 48 hours. But again, if
we don't know how long it was without power.
» I was without power >> Would you guys mind if I reached out to
the health boards in Carroll County just to make sure we're covering all our
bases with that one? >> Yes.
» Yeah, that's right. >> And I think our our
um What do we have
license that we have? The food permit. >> Mhm.
» Probably has specific information, right? About regulations.
» It It really is just a boiler plate to fill this out for you.
Yeah, I'll I'll get guidance from them.
» And I assume we have to follow all the same regulations that restaurants
follow, right? Like when the power goes out.
» We don't fill out um a a um
a food safety form. We do temporaries for specific dates.
» Oh. >> I was out
without power for 3 days. >> For 3 days? I was 2 days.
Where do you live? >> Second.
» You're on Second Avenue? Huh.
» Neighbor. >> Huh.
» You're on the other side of Second Avenue.
» Hm. Yeah, it was It was exciting.
Um >> Yeah.
» Three days for us, too. >> What a time.
» Yeah, you had 3 days, too? >> It was 3 days.
» I had a pine tree that shut down Second Avenue.
» Yes. >> For hours.
» Yeah. >> Yeah.
» Yeah. >> So.
» Yeah, our house was like It was like 88 degrees.
» Yeah. >> It was nice.
» Uh >> Who does the head on? Sorry. Who does
the tree removal when when your trees are
across the street? Is it our folks or is it contracted?
» That's contracted out. Um usually we'll go with a guy named Lowell from uh
O'Malley Tree Service, which is Oak Ridge
» Yeah. I mean, to say a
eight or nine guys that came out and they were amazing.
I mean, it was just I'm telling you 20 minutes of a
giant tree in the middle of the street. They were They had the leaf blowers out
the end of the never miss. I'm well, hours after it went down. But once
they got there, yeah, there was three, four trucks.
They were They were amazing. I mean, >> I'll send along your
compliments. >> unreal.
» Do we have to Is the Is that a voting thing?
Changing or rescheduling Princess Bride or
saving it for next year? >> If that's something that's always been a
process, the process dictates. >> Okay.
» Or can dictate. >> I feel like that's always been what
we've done. >> Well, I mean, in years past, we used to
reserve like when when when was our last minute?
» a rain date. >> Yeah, we always had a rain date at the
end of the season.
Cuz I think we pushed out May. >> Yes.
» Yeah. >> We used to go May, June, July, August,
and September was a rain date. >> Yeah.
» So, I guess once we've moved >> Yeah.
But like we were going to show Toy Story this year because we canceled it last
year. Let's save it for
next year.
I don't know what we're doing anymore.
Discussion today. Oh, okay. So, the next movie. No, where are
we? I'm sorry. I'm lost. Skate Jam. All right, let's go to Skate
Jam. Um [snorts] as things stand, the Skate
Jam will be on the same day as the annual Fall Festival. The town asked
Spark to either reschedule or cancel the Skate Jam because of lack of resources
that day. A decision A decision is asked from the commission.
Um resources as in police presence. Is that what they mean?
» Uh police presence. Uh public works is going to be taken up. Um so, Fall
Festival, uh we're looking at around 2,000
people attending. >> Is the fall festival our thing or is
that what the church does? >> That's what the church does.
» Okay. >> Uh and they do it all for free.
» Yeah. Is that the one that happens at Miller
Cooper? >> Yeah.
And it's the town's opinion uh that that's just a remarkable
thing that they do. Um and a good good program.
» What church is that? Is it >> Freedom Fellowship?
» That's the 32. Yeah.
» So, um as things stand, uh Sully has not gotten back to me.
Um he hasn't
really opened things up. Um
» Yeah, I feel like until we get a date a potential date or dates that would work
for Shrimp Town,
» Yeah. >> there's no way for us.
» Yeah. Yeah, I don't think we can
» send them dates that work for us. But they're
» So, what would you guys think about letting Shrimp Town take over the stage?
» That's >> It can be their event and if they want
back up, like advertising and if they want EMS there, if they want
permits for booths and stuff like that, that can all come through the town's
park. But as of right now, none of us are skateboarders.
» Um honestly, I'm fine with that. I went last year. I thought it was a great
event, but I didn't I didn't see how if Spark was not there,
how it necessarily would have been any different.
Like we weren't we weren't the ones who were really
» Right. We weren't running it.
» Like right now would be uh Chris would be looking over at you being like, "This
is your baby." >> Yeah.
» What do you what do you think? >> If the Spark
We could We could still have a table there.
» We had this discussion before. I don't remember the outcome of that
discussion. But we talked about this. >> What I care about is that there is an
event. So, >> Yes.
» if Shrimp Town takes it on, then it's still going to be the same outcome. It's
going to be a skate event, you know, to take it out
of the rescue park. >> Who was the last person to reach out to
Shrimp Town and work with um
» So, he I I forget who who was the man who came to speak.
» Uh Dave Sullivan or >> Yeah, so he came back
» by Sully. >> I think he came back in March, ish.
» Mhm. >> Um and did say that he valued, you know,
Spark's help with the event. I think it would be fine for us to help.
But as far as us leading it, I don't know if that's necessarily
» Yeah. >> the best.
» It makes sense.
» Yep. >> I'm okay with that.
» Yeah, I don't think we can >> Just uh
let them schedule it and then we'll help where we can.
» So, what's the next step then? Just reach out to Sully and
» That's all the information we have. >> Yeah.
» And then we can make the decision next month.
» Okay. >> Yep.
» Next. >> Dog Man.
» Dog Man. And the Goonies.
» And Saturday, August 8th.
» Planning discussion for August showing of Dog Man and September showing of the
Goonies. Additional family-friendly activities, environmental tie-ins, and
potential partnerships should be explored to help create a stronger
pre-movie experience. Chris has something to say about that.
Chris said she's trying to get in touch with Debbie, former owner of a likely
story, who had a Dog Man costume, >> [snorts]
» uh that we borrowed for Santa a few years back.
Um she has a volunteer to wear a costume if there is such a costume.
Uh there could be a fee for renting the costume,
and hopefully she finds out before the movie.
That's what she has to say about that. So, that's our pre-movie
plan for Dog Man is Dog Man himself. >> Were you
Were you able to reach out to um Sykesville Police about potentially
having them be there? >> Yeah, and we got a tentative yes. I'm
doing an exhibition of the canine unit that they have.
» Oh, yeah. >> Carrie's also going to go down another
track tomorrow. Uh she's going to Carroll County Humane Society to pick up
another dog to uh a dog day out uh kind of thing. She did
it last month, and it was pretty successful.
Rookie got Rookie got adopted in 2 days. So, um
so, she's going to get in contact with them and see if they
get a real answer, a yes or a no, not a not a sitting on the fence.
Uh Park Books will not be able to join us on that day.
» Okay. Does that mean no costume? >> Uh
so, their answer to being able to help out was no, cuz they're understaffed
right now, and their costume is they usually get it from the publisher.
And it's like, okay, well, we're not selling
books. >> That's true.
» I could reach out to the publisher, but I just feel like that's a lot.
Um That's true.
Do do do do >> That's dog man. Do we have any ideas for
the Goonies? Buried treasure of some sort. Scavenger
hunt, wasn't that brought up? >> Yeah, that's what Lauren Merrell
Yeah, Lauren Merrell wants to do. >> I like that idea a lot.
» So, why don't we reach out to her tomorrow then and say we're interested
and ask her what she'd like Sparks involvement to be there.
» Okay.
» And then, you know, you guys
» Anything else? Oh. Who's going to be there?
» Yeah, maybe for the dog run we should do the
set up details. >> What did you say the date was for that?
Eighth? >> The eighth.
» Okay. I'll be there.
» I will be there. >> I can be there.
Alex? >> Maybe.
» Maybe.
And probably Chris. No, Chris said >> She said she'll be there.
» She did. Okay.
Goonies, we [clears throat] can just figure that out
» Yeah, signs.
» Signs?
» Um >> I can't do signs.
I am at Deep Creek and I come back with that day. And then I'll come back to the
movie that day. >> Uh, I can do it again. I don't mind.
» It's pretty easy.
» Okay. Chris has volunteers already.
» Okay. >> Um,
she asks if the donation to Basil L. I Run Nature Center has been sent.
» Yes. >> Cool.
» What was I going
And then I'm assuming Chris will take care of
restocking this section.
And then if she needs any help, then yeah.
We can figure that out closer to the date.
» Yeah, plenty of time.
» I think that's it.
» Yep. That's all Chris has to say.
Um, open ideas and vision.
Which is blank. Anybody have any ideas they just thought
of? >> I'm visionless this week.
» Sometimes it be like that. Okay. Town updates.
» All right. Running through real quick. Um, so the storm response and slide pad
operations, um, the storm that occurred during Independence Day weekend, um, was
a doozy. And public works, um, they worked very, uh, hard to clear damage
from all areas of Saxton. Um, Derek organized with local
contractors at HW, um, to clean up the fallen trees in South Branch and in
Miller Cooper. Um,
a tree very close to Pavilion 2 uh was destroyed and almost took out the
Pavilion. Uh, but we were lucky it's still
standing. Um, yeah, like like a lot of people, as
we've talked about, uh Splash Pad also lost power, so it was down on Sunday.
Um, and then uh coordination with Stellar uh and it was up and running in
1 day. Um, zipline was also damaged again uh
and fixed within days' time. Um, I I just want to say thanks to to public
works of HW and all those people as well um cuz that like it was said, it was
impressive. Then uh the last thing I have is
interpretive nature panels. Um, the linear trail from Calarama to the
branch off towards the spring house and outdoor classroom is going to be closed
from uh July 27th to the 31st from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.
Um, contractors will be working on
installing the panels on those days. Um, residents are asked to avoid that area
or step carefully while installations are taking place.
Um, we're using O'Donnell um landscapers to install those and we
picked those up today. >> Cool.
» Uh, >> What were the times you said? July 27th
to the 31st? >> 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
» Okay.
» Uh, concrete will go down Tuesday and then
uh second pour will be on Thursday.
» Okay. And there was this was a few weeks ago,
I guess it was shortly after the storm, there was a big tree blocking the path
that carried over to the CD. Do you know if that's
» Yeah. Yeah. Yep. >> And have a chance to go there?
» Mhm. Council updates?
» Um, I do actually have some things. So, I don't know if you guys follow the
channel Facebook page, you should. Um, but they posted
um some concept ideas.
» Oh, yeah, for the >> for the the show
the amphitheater canopy building. Um
I just wanted to get your attention since it's in one of our parks. You can
take a look at it. >> There's multiple ideas? I only saw the
» Oh, it's like this one this one page of three different
pictures um >> What are the There were a lot of
comments about are they are they installing a bathroom or real restroom?
Is that happening? Do we know? >> there. Um
» We don't know. >> Uh Amy
» I mean it was still Yeah, but it I mean it was discussed at
some point, but it I mean this this isn't decided at all. This is a
» Right. >> conceptual um
» Didn't know if that was in the works or tough so.
» yeah, Amy hit it on the nose. There's just no water infrastructure over there
right now. So, that's why there's no port-a-potty. Um
and then that's as much as I know. I can look into it deeper if you guys like.
» Hm. I'm just curious myself, but it's no big deal.
» Yeah, I've heard that comment a lot, too.
It's the same comments here where people are like, "You're building a pavilion
next to a pavilion." >> That's true. Yep.
» It's a different purpose, though.
» Pardon me? >> I I I have almost no
interaction with this this project to go with.
» I mean, could it be used for say farmers market if it rains? Could
there's potential for it to shift over there?
» I mean, I don't see why not. >> [snorts]
» Okay. >> A partial bit of it. Um
maybe yeah. Like maybe a quarter cuz that's that farmers market has gotten
» It's gotten big, yeah. >> Yeah, it's crazy.
» Seriously.
» Cool. All right.
Shall we? Shall we end it here?
» Yep. >> Okay. I motion to end
Sexsmith Parks and Recreation Commission meeting 7:31 p.m.
» I second. >> Anybody got something to say?
All in favor. >> it's a decision. I think you just close
it. >> Okay. We're done. [laughter]