Park & Pathways for Harmony Woods? It could happen

Built from the '70s through late '80s, Harmony Woods (map here) in Ogletown, Delaware, is one of  New Castle County's (NCC) largest housing developments. As required by the Unified Development Code (UDC), approx 16 acres of land was set aside as mandatory open space. Most of it is forest canopy, but several acres are grass fields and require steady maintenance (mowing). This is coordinated by the HW Civic Assoc (FB), of which funding is a frequent topic at meetings, while the space remains fallow. In virtually all other NCC communities of this size, such land is a park with place-making amenities, which the County says they are working on improving.

For some reason, a park never happened with Harmony Woods, but this space represents a magnificent opportunity that's long overdue. According to their latest newsletter (snipped below), NCC Councilman Tim Sheldon will ask for a feasibility study on a "small" park:

As seen from NCC's GIS viewer, Harmony Woods owns the parcel all the way back and immediately abutting Liberty Square Apartments. It would seem intuitive that any park proposal should take full advantage and include the maximum space available to the community. Residents frequently walk, run or bicycle on the grass and through a berm (goat path) as a connection to Prides Crossing. This berm should be eliminated for a complete flat grass park, with formal 8' asphalt pathways (pdf) added. This includes key connections from Melodic Drive to Chatham Lane or Sussex Road. These ultimately connect to the Red Mill Road pathway, East Coast Greenway (ECG DE), and the planned Ogletown Historical Site and Marker. Other pathways, as indicated in the crude map at right, should also be added, along with amenities such as park benches, kiosks and/or waysides.

Streets are the only parks and recreation in Harmony Woods

Typically, to address the concerns of any adjacent property owners who might complain, County officials will offer mitigation strategies. For example, 6-10' stockade privacy fencing or shrubs are easily installed as part of the project. Though parks are hugely favored by the overwhelming majority of citizens, there are some challenges and lots of time involved to getting it done, but we will eagerly wait. One advantage -- unlike other lost opportunities -- is that this land is already in public hands, unlike others that we are all too familiar with.

Let's hope Councilman Sheldon comes back with some good news, that Harmony Woods will finally make the best use of its open space in the form of a park, community, place-making and multi-modal connectivity. The region as a whole is hugely lacking of parks and paths, and has been disenfranchised relative to most other regions of NCC. The importance of naturehood and protection (and increase) of property values cannot be overstated, and we are elated that our civic and elected leaders see this, and are prepared to act.

Also see: Another lost park opportunity in Ogletown?

Ogletown Historical Marker Approved

We are pleased to announce the approval of a Ogletown Historical Marker. This will commemorate 250 years since the passing of Thomas Ogle, and the more recent passing of Ogletown. As per Delaware Archives:

I am very pleased to notify you that the State of Delaware Historical Markers Committee has reviewed the Thomas Ogle marker application and it has been approved by the committee to receive a historical marker. The current time frame for the full completion of each marker at this point is roughly a year, which includes the research, drafting of text, fabrication, installation, and unveiling of the historical marker.

If there are any questions that I can be of assistance in answering, please let me know and I would be happy to help any way possible. I am very much looking forward to seeing Ogletown recognized for the rich history the area has to offer and will be sure to notify you all of any updates moving forward. All the best,  ~Taylor Reynolds, Delaware Historical Markers Program Coordinator

With the year ahead, we will begin advocating for pathways, place-making and infrastructure improvements with the Legislators. The following was written to area legislators whose Districts that Mr Ogle's tomb and the (coming) historical marker resides in.

Given the firmness of the approval, and as the next agreed upon step, can we please begin the infra improvement process? This is only 0.5 miles of pathways between Prides Crossing and Chestnut Hill Estates (Old SR273). This should be min. 8' asphalt with a yellow or white center line, along with ROW delineation through west side parking areas. Most of it already exists as the East Coast Greenway. We are asking for a proper rehab using MUTCD/AASHTO guidelines, and a spur path to the marker with something like this (attached, Markell Trail) at the end. This will make the marker and green space much more inviting as a historical site.  ~Francis Warnock & Angela Connolly

Click HERE for posts leading up to this approval, including the application itself.

First Meeting for a Ogletown Historical Marker (minutes)

1982 imagery, with today's highways juxtaposed in red.

Dec 10, 2021, 11 a.m. | Location: Thomas Ogle Gravesite

Meeting called by: Taylor Reynolds (DE Dept of Public Archives, Markers Program Coordinator)

Type of meeting: Preliminary

Attendees:

Angela Connolly (Advocate), Rep Edward Osienski (RD24), Taylor Reynolds (DPA), Sen Jack Walsh (SD9), Francis Warnock (Advocate)

Marker Application & Approval

Similar marker in Cecil County MD, ~600 characters.

Taylor:

• Good chance that the marker will be approved.
• Likely time frame for decision is early 2021.
• May take up to 1.5 years for completion and finished installation of marker.
• Will send update emails through the process.

Ed/Jack:

• Funding for the marker (CTF).

• 

  Pathways in Green. View from Orbit HERE.

  Formal repave/rehab of SR4 pathway aka East Coast Greenway from OBC to Salem Church Rd.
• Formal repave/rehab of Old Ogletown Rd-SR4 pathway.
• Addition of a spur pathway to the gravesite & marker, w/bench and bike parking (inverted U).
• DelDOT assessment of Ogletown Baptist Church/Old Red Mill Rd pathway spur for rehab/repave.
• Work with OBC toward an easement that will permit Old Red Mill Rd pathway spur for public use.
• Designate car parking for site visitation? (if feasible).

Warnock/Connolly:

• Region is disenfranchised for open space, pathways, historical recognition, and place-making.
• East Coast Greenway is a national project deserving of community connectivity.
• OBC/Red Mill pathway is a crucial connection between Prides Crossing and SR4/ECG.
• Old Ogletown Rd pathway is a crucial connection from Chestnut Hill Estates to ECG and gravesite.
• Will assist legislators if asked, and encourage citizen support as needed.
• Upon approval of pathway and access improvements, will redirect advocacy toward DelDOT to ensure that pedestrian and bicyclist’s needs are correctly met. 

It was agreed upon that approval of the historical marker is first priority at this time, followed by the above mentioned infra improvements. It was not discussed if any formal announcement or press release should be issued as per the passing of Thomas Ogle on Dec 23, 1771 (250 years) -- or wait until official press release.

Meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.

DO: Ogletown park proposal gets state funding commitment

By Lex Wilson, Delaware On-Line -- State money has boosted an effort to create a park on a former orphanage property in Ogletown, an effort to fend off a proposed 269-home development.

Tucked inside legislation that funds state construction projects is a commitment for the state to pay $1.25 million toward the purchase of a portion of the former Our Lady Of Grace Home for Children property.

"It is a huge step forward," said State Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, who sits on the committee responsible for crafting the state's legislation for construction. "The key question at the county level is, are they similarly able to formalize a financial commitment to making this park possibility a reality."

The state's current commitment will only cover a portion of the $5.9 million appraised value of the property. New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer said his government is evaluating how much money it can put toward the proposal.

"The state's work done. It is now fully on the county to act," said Angela Connolly, co-founder of a residents' group bent on preserving the property. [Full story ...]

Newark Post: Push for county park on former orphanage site remains strong

Lisa Diller, NCC 5th District

Hat-tip goes to Karie Simmons for an excellent article in the Newark Post. Hope for a regional park in Ogletown remains strong, but with Councilwoman Diller an unwilling champion, it will be difficult to track Exec Meyer's progress. As much as we would like to back off and trust that our leaders will follow through, episodes of poor decorum and lack of communication remains a stumbling block. Excerpts:

New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer says he is “committed” to finding the funding the county needs to buy the Felician Sisters’ 181-acre parcel on East Chestnut Hill Road and turn it into a public park.

“Not only am I committed to it, I’ve already made numerous phone calls about it,” Meyer said Tuesday during a Civic League for New Castle County meeting.

Several members of the group Save The Orphanage Property (STOP) – formerly Save Ogletown Pond – turned out to the meeting at the Christiana Presbyterian Church on North Old Baltimore Pike to protest the controversial housing development planned for the land at 487 E. Chestnut Hill Road, which is just east of Newark, and press Meyer for updates on the community’s desire for a park there instead.

Angela Connolly, a Todd Estates resident and STOP co-founder, said that over the past two years she has spent fighting the project, she has often heard the words “last chance.”
[Full article . . .]

Frank Warnock comments to Executive Meyer that the TIS (Transportation Impact Study) for the Chestnut Hill "Preserve" is all but worthless. It was doctored in favor of the developer, to fall short of nearby failed signalized intersections thus giving the project the go-ahead. Angela Connolly is seated to his left. (photo by Karie Simmons)