By Greg Ellison

(Oct. 29, 2020) With the razing of the old Ocean Pines craft building last week, the finishing details are being applied at the White Horse Park campus beautification project.

Director of Recreation and Parks Debbie Donahue said public work crews removed the abandoned building with plans to use the area for parking.

“The new craft building was built with the vision of the old one coming down,” she said.

Donahue is working with Public Works & CPI Director Eddie Wells on several projects at the White Horse Park campus, which in addition to expanded parking, include landscaping and replacing the front entrance sign.

“It’s separate pieces, but all something that we wanted to do at the same time,” she said.

The precise number of spaces gained after removing the old craft building will be determined after final reconfigurations are calculated.

“Right now the diagram we had done last year looks like were going to get approximately 18-20 parking spaces,” she said.

The true count will be revealed after Wells and public works crews determine the required reduction to an adjacent land mass.

“We have to do some narrowing of the island where the marquee is and make sure we can get all the spaces in,” she said.

The minor land trimming is needed to provide adequate room for spaces.

“We’ve got to cut parts of it off to add some where the parking spaces will be because they have to be 20 foot long,” she said.

Donahue said Wells anticipates having the final measurements figured out by next week.

“The traffic pattern will change a little bit,” she said. “It’s still going to be in on the right out on the left.”

The former craft building location will eventually yield two rows of lined spots with improved accessibility.

“You will definitely be able to see where and how to park,” she said. “It’s going to be two sets of parking spaces so you’ll have a drive in between those two sets.”

Although pricing is still being sought, plans are being made to update the White Horse Park wooden entrance sign.

“We’re working on the front signage to the park because it definitely needs a beatification,” she said.

Donahue and Wells are researching material options for a replacement sign that would require minimal maintenance.

“We’re hoping to do it where it won’t have to be painted all the time,” she said. “It will be about the same size and probably not too far off in looks.”

Plans are also being formulated for landscape improvements, including leveling of grounds.

“We’re getting it ready for the spring,” she said “Hopefully, we’ll be back to somewhat of a normal lifestyle by then and things around here will look pretty good.”