DELMAR, Md. – Safari at the Quarry will bring Jeep enthusiasts from across the region to Delmar, Maryland, on May 5.
Julie Giordano, Wicomico County Administrator, says this can be a boon to the local economy.
“The closest position to something like this is 3 or 4 hours away,” Giordano said. “As county administrator, my job is to get visitors to come to Wicomico County, our county, and spend cash here in our county. “
However, some citizens of Shadow Hill are decidedly not thrilled with the occasion, which will be located at the assets next to Connelly Mill Road. A petition to finalize the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that makes the occasion imaginable has garnered more than three hundred signatures.
“[People] want to stand up, they want to write to Julie Giordano and let the county council know that they help this park,” said Michael Goldberg, a Shadow Hills resident. “The economic effects are minimal. We want a sustainable economy to recover this year. And that’s what a park of this magnitude would generate.
The “park” in question is a development concept on the 234-acre property, which was donated to the county through the Connelly Mill Ltd partnership. In 2018, it is lately used as a dirt collection site for the county’s landfill.
However, the citizens of Shadow Hills say the vision for the public park is bright and that’s why they agreed to participate in this donation in the first place.
“We’re very pleased to be able to help the county, but as long as it’s done in a way that’s consistent with what we’ve been represented to, a public park will be built with the rest,” said Holly, a Shadow Hills resident. Campbell. ” We agreed with that decision. “
Residents say they feel disadvantaged by the opportunity to have an herb oasis in their own backyard. A circle of family members said they chose the particular community because the real estate agent told them about the idea of turning the nearby site into a public park.
“We were looking to find a place where we could just raise our kids and enjoy the outdoors,” said Shadow Hills resident Mikele Dahlen. “We looked at it and found out how adorable it was, and we were surely exhausted. “
Dahlen says that beyond his family, a public park in the assets could simply be a “treasure” for all of Wicomico County.
“It has the highest elevation, there are 3 streams and watersheds, it would possibly be adjacent to the trails in Naylor Mill Forest,” Dahlen said. “It gives the opportunity to kayak, paddle and fish. “
County Administrator Julie Giordano says the debate started years ago through the county council, before she took office. He adds that the arrival of Safari in the quarry doesn’t mean that a public park won’t be imaginable in the future.
To bring it to Wicomico County, Giordano signed a contract with the CEO of LiveWire Media
Giordano adds that while there is no limit to the number of times the event can return as part of its 364-day contract, the only one currently scheduled is the one that will take place in May.
However, Goldberg says it’s at the MoU where many of the disorders begin.
“It’s poorly worded and has a lot of pitfalls and ambiguities,” Goldberg said. “It has not been subjected to the point of legal scrutiny that would be appropriate for a contract of this nature. “Goldberg also claims that Safari at the Quarry would perhaps not have as big a local economic impact as advertised.
Giordano, however, says the deal is done; and, with a wife who has already established a style of success, with events such as Ocean City Jeep Week.
“We have no intention of going back on our word,” Giordano said. “He’s an established businessman who puts on those events all over the East Coast. “
Residents are also concerned about whether the site will be able to safely accommodate event attendees. Goldberg noted that local authorities could be relieved of other duties on the day of the event, to help with traffic control.
“There will be traffic jams. There’s no room to accommodate all those vehicles. There’s only one road with no parking and it’s wide enough to accommodate two vehicles,” Goldberg said.
Giordano says, however, that it is planned. A roadway protection plan, he said, was submitted to the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office on March 7, and he has scheduled a protection plan meeting with the organizer this week. In addition, pilots will stop at Kylan Barn, further north, and split into small groups, touring the site in turns.
“Most of the jeeps will be [at Kylan Barn], they’ll pass to signal there, and then when it’s time to move on to class, they’ll pass to pass Connelly Mill, they’ll stay there for a few hours and then they’re passing by to leave. He said Giordano. No we’ve heard anything negative [directly] from the sheriff’s office, or anything concerning. “
Residents say they all sympathize with fans pursuing their passions; However, not on land that they say was originally meant to be preserved.
“You have to take a look at the big picture. It takes a lot of effort and examination to get the big picture for everyone,” Campbell said. “There’s no explanation for forgetting about that now and moving on to Plan B. “
“There has to be a position that doesn’t erase years of history of hard work, that ecologically sensitive land, and that doesn’t eliminate such a valuable resource,” Dahlen added.
In addition, citizens say they are already facing illegal movements of dirt bikes and ATVs on this property. They worry that reserving the space for events like Safari at the Quarry could further inspire this activity.
Goldberg says the site’s security needs to be bolstered, adding fencing on the north and east asset lines, as well as more precautionary signs against illegal entry. Residents are also worried, Goldberg says, about the visibility the Safari at the quarry could bring to the assets. Turning the assets into a public park may simply alleviate those concerns, he says.
“There are inherent risks in deep wells, a pond and, of course, illegal entry and noise,” Goldberg said.
However, Giordano says, steps have already been taken to make the site safer, including installing more signage. He adds that citizens deserve to “be careful what they wish for” when applying for the designation of a public park on the property; Maybe it will just increase that visibility, he says.
“I think there’s only two sides to this argument,” Giordano said. “yes, maybe [Safari at the Quarry] will promote it in this place. But on the other hand, turning it into a park will have the same effect.
Even with less than a month to go until the event, his future beyond the 364-day contract remains uncertain. Giordano says that if the event is successful, it may be deserted in the end.
“After the event, we’ll do a full investigation of everything to see if it was worth it, and after that we’ll make a resolution,” Giordano said. “We’re looking a lot to create a fun report here in Wicomico County. . . And that’s just another idea. “
Meanwhile, the citizens of Shadow Hills plan to continue the fight for a public park and a safari in Quarry.
“I can guarantee you that we’re going backwards,” Goldberg said. “They need to create a four-by-four crop on this property. I’ll tell you this: [Giordano] doesn’t intend to turn it into a park for everyone.
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