Fees for Elms Beach rejected

Park roads crowded

Friday, May 1, 2009

The recreation and parks advisory board proposed a daily fee of $5 per vehicle for county residents to enter and $8 a vehicle for out-of-county visitors.

The St. Mary's County commissioners were not interested in charging county residents for use of the park, but agreed to make the park alcohol free to help with crowd control.

Elms Beach is 1,020 acres of state land in Dameron and St. Mary's County has a lease for 45 acres of it for recreational use, although only 5 acres of usable parkland are by the bay. The school board has access to 376 other acres there for environmental education.

"For many years it was an undiscovered jewel in the county's park system," said Phil Rollins, director of recreation and parks. "However, the park has been discovered and has experienced a significant increase in visitation over the past few years, especially on weekends and holidays."

There is parking for 75 vehicles there, but holiday weekends can see more than 200 vehicles crowded in. "We just have too many people coming into the park," Rollins said. There are issues with trash disposal and adequate toilet facilities. Because so many people come in, off-duty police are hired for security.

Imposing entrance fees, which have never been placed on a St. Mary's County park, was intended to allow the hiring of a gate attendant who could close the park when it becomes full. The pavilion there, which was recently damaged by vandals, can be rented and alcohol was permitted there. Rollins proposed it be closed for private rentals on summer weekends and holidays, and that alcohol be prohibited outright. The commissioners agreed with that.

Rollins said of the proposed charges, "We would prefer not to do this."

"We don't want to jeopardize our local people first," said Commissioner Kenny Dement (R).

Because it is state property, it may be illegal to charge some Marylanders to use Elms Beach and not others.

Point Lookout State Park charges an entrance fee and when it becomes too crowded, the gate is closed. Would-be visitors then wait outside the park on the side of the road.

"It's very distasteful to the lower end of the county," said Commissioner Daniel H. Raley (D).The same thing could happen at Elms Beach when it becomes too crowded. "I think you're between a rock and a hard place," Raley said.

"I wouldn't support a fee for local folks," said Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly Sr. (D). He suggested that visitors be directed to other county parks at Piney Point Lighthouse and Myrtle Point Park.

David Guyther, parks facilities manager, said the beach at Myrtle Point Park poses a problem because it is not accessible to recreation and parks vehicles for maintenance. There is not a lot of parking there either, Rollins said.

Rollins had suggested that entrance fees at Elms Beach be enacted as soon as possible to handle the Memorial Day visitors, but the commissioners did not take action on any fees.

jbabcock@somdnews.com