Recreational Offerings
May 3, 2024 (updated May 17, 2024) (Chesapeake Beach, MD) - Over the last several months, the Town Council, in close collaboration with the community, has discussed the need to reconceptualize the Chesapeake Beach Water Park, ensuring a community asset for Town citizens. The twenty-nine-year-old Park has provided generations of fun; however, it has surpassed its useful life, requiring further consideration of a path forward with Town residents’ desires as a center point in decisions.
As we continue through the process of rebuilding the Park, here are some QUICK FACTS regarding the status of improvements. We are also thrilled to share some exciting new information on additional recreational offerings. As the expansion of offerings is ongoing - please stay tuned to upcoming e-blasts for more information.
What is the Status of the Water Park? The Park is not expected to open for the 2024 season due to safety concerns. However, exciting plans are underway for capital improvements that will refresh the longstanding recreational amenity at the heart of the Town of Chesapeake Beach, promising a future park that provides space for community gathering, and contributes to the wellness of our Town residents.
Who is primarily funding the operation of the Chesapeake Beach Water Park? Over the last twenty-nine years, the Chesapeake Beach Water Park has mainly been a tourist attraction; however, Town taxpayer resources have funded the operation. The need to rebuild the park is an opportunity to rethink the recreational amenity and its purpose to ensure it meets the needs of town taxpayers, including all residents.
How does the Town engage the public through this process? The Town of Chesapeake Beach conducted a community opinion survey from July to August 2023. Through the survey, in which 1,869 participants provided input, town residents expressed their strong desire to utilize the park as a community amenity that is accessible and safe. Additionally, Town residents communicated disapproval of funding the cost of out-of-town residents' use of the park.
What is the Town doing now to Improve Recreational Assets? Due to the aging infrastructure of the (29) twenty-nine-year-old park that has exceeded its useful life within very dynamic site conditions, the Town Council is currently conducting a feasibility study to accomplish two primary goals. First, to determine the associated costs for improved pool elements based on the site's conditions and the pool elements Town citizens desire. Second, to complete further site investigation, including surveying and geo-technical studies, to provide the information necessary to complete the improvements as approved and funded by the Town Council. See Table 1 for additional information on the process.
Under a new design, how will the Town support local businesses? Town residents provide a year-round base of customers for our Town businesses. Maintaining recreational amenities for Town citizens at the center of the Town will continue this support. The Town is seeking new ways to partner with local businesses at Town recreational amenities. It is open to ideas from our local businesses and welcomes further engagement.
How is the Town continuing to employ seasonal staff at the Water Park? The Town has engaged all seasonal employees interested in returning to work for the 2024 season. All seasonal staff willing to return in the 2024 season received engagement from the Town with opportunities to work in a recreational capacity for the Town. These opportunities include increased programs at Kellam's field, town event staff, recreational kayak offerings for residents, and staffing at Bayfront Park. Of the recreational staff offered positions for the 2024 season, over 95% are returning seasonal employees with additional offerings forthcoming.
Opportunities to Engage in the Process Moving Forward:
As the Town moves through a multi-step process that follows the Town's procurement guidelines there will be several additional opportunities for public input in each phase.
TABLE 1: Phases of public review and input - these steps can change depending on the course of action (updates to this table are ongoing)
| Step # | Process | Details |
| Step 1 | Design / Build (D/B) Request for Proposal (RFP) | The Town released a Design / Build (D/B) RFP in January of 2024. The RFP was posted on eMaryland Marketplace Advantage, in print media, on the Town website and sent to over 150 contractors nationwide. The Town held a mandatory pre-bid meeting where eight (8) firms were present. The Town issued clarifications as Amendment #1 to the RFP; however, the Town received '0' proposals. All firms were contacted for feedback as to why they did not bid on the project. The responses included; 1) an increased risk to the Design / Build (D/B) firm related to soil conditions and existing piles. 2) The bidders felt that the timeline was unrealistic taking into consideration the length of time required for permitting with the condensed project schedule increasing the costs of the significantly, and 3) A lack of clarity on the final pool element design and budget. The bidders requested that the Town consider starting with a feasibility study to provide the information necessary to bid on the project. |
| Step 2 | Feasibility Study | The Town will conduct a feasibility study through a team of design of experts to propose 2-3 design concepts considering the conditions of the site. A update was provided during the May 16, 2024 Town Council meeting that three proposals were received for feasibility designs for the Park. The Town requested clarification on the proposals and expects to move forward with one of the firms in the coming weeks. During the May 16, 2024 Town Council meeting, the Town Council approved $25,000 in expenditures to conduct geo-technical studies to further identify the current conditions of the park to provide clarity on improvements moving forward. |
| Step 3 | Designs Finalized, Funding Considerations | At this phase, the design plans will be finalized upon review of the feasibility of the swimming elements, with further funding considerations reviewed by the Town Council in an open public meeting forum. |
| Step 4 | Request for Proposal (RFP) to construct the Park based on the feasibility study | Once the feasibility study is complete and the Town Council has an understanding of the cost range for the elements determined, a RFP will be released to construct the Park as approved by the Town Council. |
| Step 5 | RFP Awarded | RFP Awarded, funding allocated by the Town Council for the work necessary to construct the capital improvements. |
| Step 6 | Permitting Phase | The Town will be required to obtain a permits from local, county, and state regulating agencies based on the final design plan approved by the Town Council. |
| Step 7 | Building Phase | With approved permits and funding in place as allocated by the Town Council, work will begin to construct the new facility, with updates made available to the public on the timeline. |
| Step 8 | The New Facility Opens to the Community | The new facility opens under a Town Council-approved budget for operations with public input provided during the budgeting process. |
Additional Recreational Offerings
Life Saving Swim Lessons - Preparations underway pending final approvals
The Town of Chesapeake Beach is coordinating with Calvert County Government to offer life saving swim lessons at Calvert County facilities by employing our award winning Town of Chesapeake Beach Aquatics Team! If you are a Town resident and are interested in swim lessons for your child please complete the interest form linked here. Pending final approval by Town Council and the Board of County Commissioners, 3 levels of classes could be offered:
Tadpoles (ages 3 to 5) - Water exploration – children learn basics of swimming: bobbing, flutter kicks, front/back float, blowing bubbles, etc.
Jelly Fish (ages 5 to 7) - Swimmers will enhance their skills and develop new techniques: alternating arms, front/back glide, arms & legs together, submerging face.
Sting Rays (ages 7 to 10) - Swimmers enhance their skills and develop new techniques: rhythmic breathing, front/back crawl, treading water, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, butterfly, sidestroke.
Kellam's Field Open Access for Free Open Play & Unorganized Activity:
Stop by the beautiful Kellam's field for open free green space. Please follow the Park Rules and help us keep Kellam's beautiful by taking your trash with you when you leave!
Expanded Town Resident Recreational Amenity Access:
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