The Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism

• The Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism• Administers and coordinates all recreational and tourism

programs, activities, and special events, as well as park system planning, design, development, and maintenance.

• Recreation Division• Provides recreational and leisure time experiences for Charles

County residents of all ages.

• Parks and Grounds Division• Provides residents with diverse and wholesome outdoor

recreation opportunities where they can safely recreate, enjoy nature, become more physically fit, and connect with neighbors, friends, and pets.

• Tourism Division• Promotes and develops activities and attractions that bring

overnight visitors to create a positive economic impact by generating tourism industry sales and tax dollars, and hospitality jobs.

What We Do

• Eileen Minnick, Director

• Sam Drury, Chief of Recreation

• John Snow, Chief of Parks and Grounds

• Kellie Hinkle, Chief of Tourism

• 63 Full Time and 199 Part Time Staff• Number of part time staff fluctuates

seasonally

Who We Are

Department Budget

FY2019 General Fund Budget

July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019

General Fund 80% $8,604,600

Recreation 19% $2,011,900

Other Funds 1% $97,500

Total Department Budget $10,714,000

Administration, $780,500

Recreation, $2,096,200

Parks and Grounds, $4,899,300

Tourism, $828,600

Department Budget

HiringCoordinates hiring of part time

personnel, including advertising, coordinating interviews, and

finalizing personnel paperwork.

Finance RegistrationProvides direct customer service

regarding program information and availability, registration, referrals,

transfers, refunds, etc.

Administration

• The GUIDE• Program guide produced quarterly

• Recreation, Parks and Tourism Report• Produced seasonally by CCGTV and members of staff

• Won MRPA Marketing Award in 2018

• Social Media• 6 department accounts across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

• Website• Working with IT to develop new websites for

www.CharlesCountyParks.com and www.ExploreCharlesCounty.com

• It’s How You Get There• Worked closely with the Media Services Division to promote Charles County

in an episode of the History Channel television show, “It’s How You Get There.” The show’s cast explores unique destinations throughout the country using various modes of transportation, such as trucks, cars, motorcycles, ATVs, boats, jet skis, and air travel vehicles.

• Aired on the History Channel – November 25, 2018

• Highest watched show in 24 hour period on History Channel and watched in over ¼ million homes.

Administration - Media

Recreation Overview

• Provides recreational and leisure time experiences for Charles County residents of all ages.

• Quick Annual Stats (FY18)• 126,246 visits at community centers

• 38,998 visitors during open swim at our pools

• 15,633 visits at Elite Gymnastics

• 615 sports teams totaling 8,588 participants

• 11 weeks of summer camp totaling 2,494 campers in 114 different weekly camp sessions

• 26 special events with 1,912 in attendance

• Taught 1,371 participants in swim lessons

• Hosted 159 birthday parties

• Aquatics• Open Swim, Lessons, Water Safety

• Community Centers• Drop-in’s, Middle School Afterschool

• Recreation and Leisure Programs• Enrichment, special events, birthday

parties

• Sports• Indoor/Outdoor; Youth/Adult

• Elite Gymnastics & Recreation Center• Recreation and Competitive Gymnastics

• Therapeutic• Camp Co-Op, Special Olympics

What We Offer

School-Based Community Centers

Davis (Waldorf)

Hanson (Waldorf)

Henson (Indian Head)

Mattawoman (Waldorf)

Piccowaxen (Newburg)

Smallwood (Indian Head)

Somers (La Plata)

Stoddert (Waldorf)

Wade (Waldorf)

Recreation Centers

Elite Gymnastics and Recreation Center

Port Tobacco Recreation Center

Capital Clubhouse (Operated by Rink Management Inc)

Aquatic Locations

Lackey Indoor Pool

North Point Indoor Pool

Donald M. Wade Aquatic Center Indoor Pool

Thomas Stone Outdoor Pool

McDonough Outdoor Pool

La Plata Outdoor Pool

Recreation Satellite Locations

Recreation BudgetPlay Camps

$192,200 Class Programs

$91,100

Centers$188,100

Other$267,000

Programs at Waldorf Senor & Recreational Center

$80,200

Gymnastics$417,300

Aquatics$502,100

Sports$273,900

Enterprise Fund FY19$2,011,900

• Program based, fee for Service

• Revenues include:• Daily Admissions / Drop-In Fees• League, Program, Camp Fees

• Free Programs• Free Swim Lesson Day• Special Fitness Classes• Parks & Recreation Month Activities• Drop-in classes

• RecPASS• Annual membership which allows residents unlimited

visits to any Recreation Division drop-in program for a single annual fee.

Enterprise Fund

• Currently under renovation at 90 Post Office Road, Waldorf (former Waldorf Sport & Health Club)

• 2-story, 31,000 sq. ft. facility that will operate 7 days a week

• Provide senior programs during the day with community programs in the evenings, weekends, and holidays.

• Amenities include large multi-purpose room, multiple classrooms, art room, gymnasium, separate youth program area, racquetball courts, exercise room, group fitness room, and social space.

Waldorf Senior and Recreational Center

• Preserves, manages, and maintains 4,194 acres of county parkland on 33 developed and undeveloped locations. The parks system highlights Charles County’s diverse natural, cultural, and historic resources while providing a wide variety of active and passive outdoor recreational opportunities for county residents and visitors alike.

• Responsible for maintaining the grounds and outdoor assets at 30+ county facilities and properties (239) acres, including snow and ice removal.

• Maintains and programs 84 Board of Athletic fields (78 acres) at 29 school locations.

• Manages Park Capital Improvement Projects including land acquisition, new park design and construction, infrastructure upgrades, and improvements.

• Protects environmental resources through the acquisition of open space for county parks, wildlife habitat and land preservation.

Parks and Grounds Overview

• Bensville Park (White Plains)

• Bryantown Sports Complex (Bryantown)

• Charlie Wright Park (Indian Head)

• Friendship Farm Park (Nanjemoy)

• Gilbert Run Park (Charlotte Hall)

• Laurel Springs Regional Park (La Plata)

• Mallows Bay Park (Nanjemoy)

• Maxwell Hall Park (Hughesville)

• Oak Ridge Park (Hughesville)

• Pisgah Park (La Plata)

• Port Tobacco River Park and Tom Roland Natural Resource Area (Port Tobacco)

• Robert D. Stethem Memorial Sports Complex (Waldorf)

• Ruth B. Swann Memorial Park (Bryans Road)

• Southern Park (Newburg)

• Turkey Hill Park (La Plata)

• White Plains Regional Park and Skatepark (White Plains)

• White Plains Golf Course (White Plains)

Parks and Grounds Locations

Program Open Space Funding

• Program funding history

• Current fund status

• Parkland Acquisition

• Development• Park Planning and Construction

• Capital Renewal Projects

• Annual Program

• 5 Year Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan

Program Open Space FundingProject Local Share

(Park Repair & Maint. CIP)P.O.S. Funding Total

Chapel Point Partnership $90,000 $270,000 $360,000

Gilbert Run Boardwalk Design $21,250 $63,750 $85,000

Gilbert Run Playground $6,250 $18,750 $25,000

White Plains Playground $25,000 $75,000 $100,000

Mallows Bay Kayak Launch/Parking Lot $12,500 $37,500 $50,000

Mallows Bay Pavilion $15,000 $45,000 $60,000

White Plains Golf Course Cart Path Rehabilitation $15,000 $45,000 $60,000

Laurel Springs Maintenance Building $12,500 $37,500 $50,000

Port Tobacco River Park Phase II $20,400 $61,200 $81,600

Total $217,900 $653,700 $871,600

• The Charles County Commissioners recently entered into a 25-year partnership agreement with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources-Park Service to manage, operate, and rehabilitate a 49-acre parcel at Chapel Point State Park.

• Plans include:• Realigning the park entrance• Installing an electric gate• Providing storm water management and roadway repairs• Install new and expanded parking areas, a kayak launch, picnic areas,

nature trails, and interpretive signage• Improving the existing small water craft launch

Chapel Point State Park

• The Popes Creek Rail Trail will begin at the Popes Creek Waterfront area where visitors can follows the walk through a succession of ecosystems including coastal wetlands, tidal marshes, and upland forest areas.

• Park amenities will include:• A brick promenade walkway

• Raised boardwalks and observation decks

• A 90-foot river front pier and access to the water’s edge

• Parking areas and restroom facilities

Popes Creek Rail Trail

• Port Tobacco Eagle Cam and Naming Contest

• Free Youth Fishing Programs

• Water Access

• County Trail Network

• Bermuda Grass Athletic Fields

• Snow Removal

Parks and Grounds

• Promotes, markets, and supports premier tourism events, new and existing tourism amenities with a focus on business, activities and attractions that bring overnight visitors to create a positive economic impact by generating tourism industry sales and tax dollars, and hospitality jobs.

Tourism Overview

• Port Tobacco Historic Village• Hosts more than 10,000 visitors yearly.• Partnership with Society for the Restoration

of Port Tobacco.

• Crain Memorial Welcome Center• Serves more than 80,000 visitors yearly.• Travel counselors help visitors develop

custom itineraries, learn about local events, get directions to their next stop, or reserve lodging.

Tourism Satellite Locations

Advertising - 37%General Fund – 20%

MD Division of Tourism –17%

Marketing/Promotions6%

Special Events24%

Heritage Partnership5%

Event Sponsorship28%

Tourism Marketing and Advertising

Tourism Economic Impact

• 2017 Visitors• 547,000 Overnight

• 557,000 Day

• 2017 Tax Receipts• $24.5M Federal

• $31.2M State and Local

$188 $188 $183

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$208

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$170

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$190

$200

$210

$220

$230

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

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Tourism Industry Sales

• Outbound Marketing and Promotion

• Great American Outdoors Show

• Motor Coach Marketplace

• Special Event Attraction

• T-H Marine Bass Fishing League All American

• Yeti FLW College Fishing National Championship

• 2019 MD Home & Garden Tour

• Local Event Promotion-Seasonal Campaigns

• Kris Kringle Market

• Pork in the Park

• Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

• Destination Development

• Agritourism

• Craft Beverage

• Heritage Tourism Infrastructure

Tourism Initiatives

• Branding project completed Fall 2017

• Connects the fascinating stories that help define Charles County with its wide open spaces, discovery and adventure.

• Sets up the idea that visitor’s explorations and exploits can also “become the stuff of legends”

• Full implementation with redesign of www.ExploreCharlesCounty.com

Legends, Lore and Room to Explore

• CycleLifeHQ• Tourism assessment of Charles County

complete.• Development of a menu of rides at all skill

levels complete.• Creation of a web and mobile service to

establish the county as a bicycling destination 90% complete.

• Connect local businesses with bicycle tourists.

Cycle Tourism

• Port Tobacco River Conservancy

• Southern Maryland Audubon Society

• Piscataway Conoy

• Healthier Charles County

• Society of the Restoration of Port Tobacco

• Special Olympics

• Hughesville Garden Club

• Friends of Maxwell Hall

• Charles County Board of Education

• Maryland Department of Natural Resources

• Local Nonprofits

• Community Youth Organizations

Partnerships

Questions?

The Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism8190 Port Tobacco Road • Port Tobacco, Maryland 20677

301-932-3470 • MD Relay Service: 7-1-1 • Relay TDD: 1-800-735-2258

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Learn more at…

www.CharlesCountyParks.com • www.ExploreCharlesCounty.com

Mission Statement – The mission of Charles County Government is to provide our citizens the highest quality service possible in a timely, efficient and courteous manner. To achieve this goal, our government must be operated in an open and

accessible atmosphere, be based on comprehensive long- and short-term planning and have an appropriate managerial

organization tempered by fiscal responsibility. We support and encourage efforts to grow a diverse workplace.

Vision Statement – Charles County is a place where all people thrive and businesses grow and prosper; where the

preservation of our heritage and environment is paramount; where government services to its citizens are provided at the highest level of excellence; and where the quality of life is the best in the nation.

Equal Opportunity Employer – It is the policy of Charles County to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religious or political affiliation or opinion, disability, marital status, sexual

orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected by law.