About Your Department

History of the Wicomico County Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Department

The genesis of the Wicomico County Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Department began when a recreation commission was established shortly after World War II and the decision was made to create a living memorial to those who served their country in the war. Two separate concepts were combined: establishing recreation programs and facilities, and honoring the armed forces with a memorial that was more than just marble, metal and bricks. In 1947 property was donated by S. Franklin Woodcock to the County which later became the Wicomico County Youth and Civic Center.

In the 1950s the Department or Recreation and Parks was established, the second one in the State of Maryland. During those years utilizing City of Salisbury, school, and church facilities the Department was able to offer indoor and outdoor programs to the youth and citizens of the County, including summer playground and sports activities. In addition the Recreation Commission also worked with the City of Salisbury to help design, build, and improve city parks.

In 1959 the Wicomico County Youth & Civic Center was finally dedicated and quickly became the center of community activities. In the summer 1977 fired destroyed most of building but community leaders, with the help of numerous donors and volunteers, rebuilt the facility bigger and better. Since the rededication in 1980 the facility has been a center of community activities, concerts, special events and the home to the Recreation and Parks Department.

The first Wicomcio County Parks were established in the 1960s as three properties were acquired to provide swimming areas for local residents. Lifeguards and swimming lessons were provided. In the 1970's using the State of Maryland's Program Open Space the Recreation & Parks Department began in earnest to build the Wicomico County Parks system. Partnering with local groups who contributed funds, talent, and sweat equity, park facilities sprung up in the local communities of Sharptown, Mardela, Delmar, Willards, and Pittsville. The 1970s and 1980s also saw the parks department begin to address the need for athletic fields, local playgrounds, and community parks; in addition they saved a large property from development to be used as a 234 acre historical park called Pemberton Historical Park.

Currently the County Parks Division operates 38 facilities encompassing over 1400 acres of land, while the Recreation Division runs numerous programs with enrollment totaling 8400. The facilities, currently valued at over $32 million were built at a cost of approximately $3 million in local money. They include 32 ball fields, 34 tennis courts, 18 basketball courts, 20 playgrounds, 17 pavilions, 8 boat ramps, and 212 boat slips.

In 1982 the first 5 year plan was put together for Wicomico County Recreation & Parks. This State mandated Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plan (LPPRP) was necessary in order to be eligible for state grant funds. The LPPRP is incorporated into the County-wide master plan.

In 1997 the County combined the operations of their indoor stadium (Civic Center), recreation, parks, and tourism divisions to create a new Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism. Combined with Enterprise Budgeting this partnership has allowed a pooling of resources to provide a better, more varied, and efficient delivery of service to their customers.

The Importance of Grant Funding to Wicomico County

Program Open Space (POS) is a nationally recognized program providing dedicated funds for Maryland's state and local parks and conservation areas. Established under the Department of Natural Resources in 1969, when a person buys a house or land, a small percentage (.5%) of the state real estate transfer tax goes into a special fund for Program Open Space. Over the years the County has been able to use this program to build the terrific facilities that serve the citizens at a minimal cost to local taxpayers.

In addition the Inland Waterway Fund was created in 1966 to support the development, use, and enjoyment of all waters of the State of Maryland for the benefit of the general boating public. This is funded by a 5% excise tax when a boat is purchased and titled in the State of Maryland. It provides grants for a wide variety of capitol projects (i.e. dredging, construction, maintenance, pump out stations, erosion control projects, etc.). All of the county boat ramps, piers, and marinas have benefited significantly from this program.

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Annual Report

Twenty six years ago the department submitted its first annual report in order to share our progress, future plans, the cost of doing business and our funding services with County residents.

Download the Wicomico Recreation, Parks and Tourism Executive Summery for Fiscal Year 2007 report.

Financial Information

Download Financial Information extract from our recent Annual Report.

Land Preservation Plan

The 2005 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan (LPPRP) has been completed. Since 1983 Wicomico County, at the direction of the State of Maryland, has submitted a plan outlining the near future of the County's efforts in parks, recreation, and preservation. Upon approval this plan makes Wicomico County eligible for grant funding from the state Program Open Space (POS) and is incorporated into the County planning and zoning matrix.

This six year design serves as the "master plan" for the Wicomico County Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism and includes such content as: evaluations of existing parks and recreation priorities and programs; assessments of parkland acreage and recreational facility needs; and identification of general and specific parks and recreation-related goals and objectives, as well as projects planned to meet existing and projected needs. The plan also references and summarizes Wicomico County's efforts in the important realms of | agricultural land preservation and natural resources conservation.

Click here to download a PDF version of our Land Preservation Plan. Note: This file is 18MB.

Speaker's Bureau

In a recent effort to make the community more aware of the Department’s many programs, events and services, a speaker’s bureau has been formed and is available to speak at your next meeting or event.

Learn more about special events in your community, our vast parks system, funding mechanisms such as Program Open Space and about recreation activities for your entire family.

To book a presentation on any of the following topics, please call Kristen Conn at 410-548-4900 ext. 140 or Licia Spinelli at 410-548-4900 ext. 102. Please book all dates at least two weeks in advance. Email inquiries are accepted at kconn@wicomicocounty.org and lspinelli@wicomicocounty.org.

Cutting Edge: The Marriage of Recreation and Parks, Tourism and the Wicomico Civic Center
The impossible became possible in 1997 when three divisions were combined into one all encompassing Department. Through the sharing of resources we are able to provide citizens and visitors with family entertainment, recreation programs, beautiful parks, special events and more.

From the Ground Up: the Building of the Wicomico County Parks System
Wicomico County’s intricate park system is currently comprised of thirty-six parks which provide natural habitats for wildlife and offer residents a place to play, barbeque, exercise, and discover nature. Learn how these parks were established and what it takes to maintain them today.

A Blueprint for Progress
Find out what is in store for your community. In the coming years, parks will be added to accommodate growing communities and older facilities will undergo thorough renovations in order to accommodate all of our residents who seek a place to play.

Protecting Program Open Space Funding: How You Can Help Program
Open Space was established in 1969 to assist local jurisdictions to buy and develop land for recreation use. To date, the County has received 9.3 million dollars to fund over 149 projects. What can you do to ensure that Wicomico County continues to reap the benefits of this program?

The Power of Play
Explore the personal, community, environmental and economic benefits of recreation for the young, old and in between.

Get Out!
The Recreation Department has been offering Wicomico County residents recreation opportunities for the past sixty years. Find out how you and your family can get involved today.

Filling the Green Room
From booking the event and negotiating a contract to filling the seats and then accommodating the celebrity – it is all in a day’s work for the Civic Center Team led by Manager Chuck Rousseau. Find out what it takes to book and carry out a concert at the Wicomico Civic Center.

How Do We Manage?
When it comes to organizing a staff of more than one hundred full and part-time employees, maintaining a public building, and creating an atmosphere suitable for large concerts, business meetings and even intimate weddings there are many things to consider. Learn what it takes to operate a multi-use facility.

Having an Affair?
Each year Recreation, Parks and Tourism coordinates several special events for the community and area visitors including the Autumn Wine Festival, Pork in the Park Barbeque Festival, Annual Fishing Derby and the Wicomico Heritage Ride. Let us show you what it takes to ensure a successful event.

WYCC Extreme Makeover
The Wicomico Youth and Civic Center is now 25 years old and beginning to show its age. In order to maintain its position within a very competitive marketplace as the place of choice to hold concerts, family shows, sporting events and community receptions, the building must undergo wide-ranging renovations. Find out what needs to be done and how it will be paid for.

Tour Us
In recent years the Tourism Department has grown to include two full time sales persons, a Convention and Visitors Bureau comprised of 150 members, a Tourism Advisory Board and a Hospitality Group. These groups work together to promote the area, attract large conventions, organize sporting events and provide visitors with the information they need to enjoy their stay. Learn how the county and its residents benefit from these efforts. Sailing on Up Learn what restoration efforts are planned at the county’s marinas.