News Story: Park could open this week

This is very close to my house- I'm excited for the opening!

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Park could open this week (click to link to actual story)

Publish Date: 06/19/06


By Liam Farrell
News-Post Staff




Staff photo by Bill Green

Construction of the Carroll Creek Park is nearing completion and is expected to open soon.


FREDERICK -- Waters previously passable only by small wooden spans or the Community Bridge on Carroll Street are now spanned by an arched stone walkway, designed as if plucked from Venice.

The red metal and steel wires of a suspension bridge are anchored by a single pillar set into the creek bed.

Barren concrete shores have given way to ornate brick paths, their angled patterns shifting to create unique sections of the creek's borders.

Dark blue street lamps line the paths, fountains spill into the water and wooden benches offer residents a chance to reflect on how far Carroll Creek has come in the almost 30 years since it overflowed its banks and ruined most of downtown Frederick.

The $10.2 million Carroll Creek Linear Park could open this week, said Richard Griffin, the city's director of economic development and the project director, and only a small list of items still need to be fixed.

"We've looked at every little nick," he said.

About 1,000 jobs will be coming to the creek area, Mr. Griffin said, and the park has attracted approximately $155 million in private investment in office, residential, retail and parking facilities.

"It's truly a mixed-use park," he said.

Portions are designed to match the surrounding buildings; near the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, metal benches are used instead of wood.

"We have different 'rooms' of the park. We've intentionally tried to not make it homogenous," Mr. Griffin said. "We've tried very, very hard to integrate it (into downtown Frederick) É so you wouldn't have a clue that it's new."

Other park amenities include an amphitheater that seats between 350 and 400 people and an 80-foot-long enclosure that can be used for events such as art exhibitions and will house a boat rental company so people can paddle along the creek.

Electrical outlets are available throughout the park, Mr. Griffin said, so no external generators will be needed. In fact, one of the last requirements before the park can open is for Allegheny Power to turn on the electricity on the south side of the creek.

A primary emphasis for creek businesses, Mr. Griffin said, will be outside dining.

"The park has been designed to accommodate that and give people the opportunity to come outside," Mr. Griffin said. "We fully anticipate there will be more restaurants."

Hi-tech amenities will also be included. The entire area is a hot spot for wireless Internet, Mr. Griffin said.

The Carroll Creek Project is not finished, however, and the next phases, to finish the east and west edges of the area, are estimated to cost an additional $13 million in construction and design.

This Wednesday, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, representatives from the city and HNTB, a design firm, will hold a meeting for residents to learn more about the next phase of the creek project.

Mr. Griffin said he has only been a part of the initiative and that many other people deserve credit, especially Dick Kessler, who was the chairman of the Carroll Creek Task Force.

"It's very rewarding (work)," Mr. Griffin said. "I'm very honored to work on a project like this."



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