2/1/2021 1:11:35 PM

WYBL cancels remainder of season, issues full refunds to participants

County officials have canceled the remainder of the Wicomico Youth Basketball League (WYBL) season.

"We held out hope and were prepared to resume the season since the postponement was announced in December," said James Simmons, recreation superintendent for Wicomico County Recreation & Parks. "Unfortunately, we are at the point where we are not able to complete the season and provide participants with the experience they deserve."

Simmons cited several COVID-19-related uncertainties that led to the cancelation, including the possibility of the Civic Center becoming a mass vaccination site.

WYBL participants will be automatically issued a full refund. Refunds will be made back to the credit card used to register, or by check for customers who paid with cash or check.

Please allow two weeks for credit card refunds to process. Refunds issued by check may take up to four weeks.

1/6/2021 1:12:59 PM

Postponement extended for team sports at Wicomico Civic Center

Team sports programming at the Wicomico Civic Center will be postponed for at least two more weeks.

The decision to extend the postponement of these activities was made by County officials in consultation with the Wicomico County Health Department due to increasing cases of COVID-19.

"This is a critical point of the pandemic," said Lori Brewster, health officer for the Wicomico County Health Department. "The community must remain vigilant in following public health guidelines in order for COVID-19 metrics to improve."

The Civic Center will provide an update on the status of resuming team sports activities on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Updates will be posted to the venue's website and social media outlets.

"We are eager to see team sports return to the Civic Center," said James Simmons, recreation superintendent for Wicomico County Recreation & Parks. "The conditions must improve before these programs resume, but when the time comes, we will be ready."

Potential timelines for WYBL:

• If WYBL is able to resume by Feb. 6, the full season will wrap up by March 6.
• If WYBL is able to resume by Feb. 15, a modified season will wrap up by March 6.
• If WYBL is unable to resume by Feb. 15, the remainder of the season will be canceled and partial refunds will be issued automatically.

12/8/2020 1:30:00 PM

Team sports programs temporarily suspended

Effective immediately, team-based sports programs are suspended until further notice.

This decision was made out of an abundance of caution, due to increasing cases of COVID-19 in Wicomico County. All scheduled practices and/or games will be deferred until COVID numbers stabilize.

We will reevaluate the situation after the New Year. We plan to get back on the court as soon as it is deemed safe. Participants will be notified once programs are scheduled to resume.

11/23/2020 1:33:32 PM

Wicomico County officials unveil plans for inclusive playground

SALISBURY, MD - Wicomico County officials have unveiled plans to build an inclusive playground in Salisbury.

On Friday, Nov. 20, a group gathered at the Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex — the future home of the playground — to unveil the playground rendering and to recognize a donation from The Donnie Williams Foundation toward the project.

The new playground will complement the recent addition of Field 7 ½, which was completed in the spring. The field is designed to provide individuals with physical or mental disabilities the opportunity to play baseball.

"The last piece — the cherry on top here — is the inclusive playground and sensory trail, which will allow kids of all levels of abilities to play together," said Recreation, Parks & Tourism Director Steve Miller.

Miller views the playground as a regional project.

"We view this as much bigger than Wicomico County," he said. "We want to invite people from Worcester, Somerset and all over to enjoy what’s going to happen at this facility."

Charissa Thomas was on site for the presentation with her four-year-old twin daughters Emme and Elle. Emme was born with cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus and epilepsy, which makes it difficult for Thomas to find a suitable playground where her kids can play together.

"To find a playground that I felt safe for them to play on — there’s nothing on the Eastern Shore that meets those needs," Thomas said. "The smiles that we’re going to see from this playground — it’s just going to be amazing."

The Donnie Williams Foundation was recognized for its $100,000 commitment to the project. The donation will be combined with other private donations and state and local monies to fund construction of the playground.

"I know that Mr. Donnie Williams would have loved this whole concept of inclusivity and would have written the check sight unseen," said Kirk Kinnamon of The Donnie Williams Foundation. "We’re so proud and humble to be a part of this project. It’s going to be done right and going to be done so it lasts a long time and it’s really going to serve this community, and we’re just proud of that."

County officials will break ground on the project this winter and are hopeful that the playground will be completed in spring 2021.

COVID-19 Resources

• Wicomico County Recreation & Parks COVID-19 Field Rental Guidelines
• Maryland's Sports Commission Return to Play: Youth & Amateur Sports Resource Center

5/29/2020 1:35:36 PM

Wicomico County Health Department releases Guidelines for Limited Outdoor Youth Sports

SALISBURY, Md. - In response to Gov. Larry Hogan's announcement that outdoor youth sports may resume following appropriate CDC guidelines, the Wicomico County Health Department has approved guidelines for limited outdoor youth sports in Wicomico County. These guidelines, along with additional guidance from the governor's office and the CDC, can be found at the links below.

• Guidelines for Limited Outdoor Youth Sports in Wicomico County
• State of Maryland Interim Guidance for Limited Outdoor Youth Sports
• CDC Considerations for Youth Sports

These guidelines are fluid and can be changed at any time as the Wicomico County Health Department continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation.