Civil Municipal - April 2024

that while development proceeds, it does so in designated areas, safeguarding the county’s rural character and natural landscapes. Mary Beth Cook, Director of Planning and Zoning, chimes in and outlines the county’s execution of its comprehensive plan. “We have several projects Mark Willis, the County Administrator, articulates the essence of Calvert County’s appeal. “What is very attractive about Calvert County is we’re a very rural county, but we’re also a peninsula. So we enjoy not only the rural nature of our environment here, trees and farm fields, etc., but we also enjoy the fact that we’re just a couple of miles away from the Chesapeake Bay, and we’re a couple of miles away from the Patuxent River.” Moreover, the sense of community within Calvert County is evident.“I think we have a small community network. So everybody knows everybody and we enjoy a hometown feeling here,” Willis shares. This close-knit atmosphere fosters a sense of belonging and support among residents, enhancing the quality of life in this idyllic setting. BLENDING NATURE, RECREATION, AND DEVELOPMENT Calvert County champions proactive planning and community wellness, which is particularly evident in its parks, recreation, and residential development strategies. Director of Parks and Recreation Bob Branham further emphasizes the integral role of parks and recreation in the fabric of Calvert County’s community life, especially in light of recent global challenges. “We have new parks coming online,” Branham begins, detailing the Gatewood Preserve’s forthcoming amenities, like a kayak launch and hiking trails, which promise to enhance public access to the pristine Patuxent watershed. The mention of the Dominion Energy Regional Park, with its final stages of construction documentation underway, signals a further expansion of the county’s recreational spaces. This rekindled recognition has underscored parks and recreation’s mission to bolster community health and well-being through leisure and nature-based activities. Regarding residential development, Julie Oberg, Director of Economic Development, points out the county’s strategic approach to balance commercial growth with open space preservation. “All of the development is focused in the town centers to preserve the open space outside of the town centers,” Oberg explains. This careful delineation ensures 51 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 04 CALVERT COUNTY, MD