By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(July 2, 2026) Ocean Pines Association officials this week provided updates on several community maintenance projects, including work at recreation amenities, trail cleanup efforts and the continued closure of the public works yard.

During the OPA Board of Directors meeting on Monday night, OPA General Manager John Viola discussed recent maintenance completed at the Swim and Racquet Club and the Ocean Pines Racquet Center.

Viola said much of the work was done in response to resident emails submitted through the association’s address, info@oceanpines.org.

At the Swim and Racquet Club, crews have cut grass, sprayed weeds, trimmed shrubs, removed dead landscaping, and replaced and repainted deck boards where needed. Viola said replacement landscaping is expected to be installed this fall.

At the Racquet Center, staff completed similar landscaping work. Additionally, the association installed a new shade structure to ward off the summer heat and repaired defective lighting fixtures.

Viola acknowledged that the association was mildly delayed in getting the amenities ready for the busy warm-weather season.

“We’re a little bit behind with weather in getting everything open for Ocean Pines, but we’ve certainly gotten to all of it,” he said.

Viola also addressed concerns about downed tree limbs along community trails.

Viola said removing fallen branches is a significant undertaking and has postponed the project until after the holiday weekend so staff can prioritize preparing the Ocean Pines amenities for the onslaught of activity.

“We are looking at getting in there after the Fourth of July,” the general manager said. “It is a big job.”

He added that the association will likely hire outside contractors to help expedite the work.

Additionally, OPA Senior Director of Administration Linda Martin said the public works yard will remain closed for the remainder of the summer.

According to Martin, crews are still removing storm debris, dredged material, chipped wood waste, soil from the southside firehouse construction project, and an old floating dock removed from the marina. She said the property remains unsafe for public access while these cleanup efforts continue.

Instead, Public Works is offering curbside pickup of paper-bagged debris with no limit on the number of bags residents may set out.

Residents can schedule pickup by calling the department at 410-641-7425.

Martin added that the public works yard will reopen sometime this fall.

Viola added that heavy equipment leased for the firehouse construction project has been moving in and out of the public works site, creating additional safety concerns.

“Even though it’s closed, we are picking stuff up,” he said.

Martin also reminded homeowners that property owners are responsible for maintaining easements and ditches in front of their homes.

She noted that Ocean Pines is no longer offering a ditch maintenance service. Funding for that work has been redirected toward other association offerings.