Near McHenry in Garrett County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
It takes a community... to build a community park
Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 12, 2025
1. It takes a community... to build a community park Marker
The Deep Creek Lake Lions Club welcomes you to our park! We operate and maintain this park under a long-term lease from the Board of Commissioners of Garrett County which owns the property. Over the years, we have worked with numerous individuals and organizations throughout our community to add to the amenities here. We're always looking to build partnerships that bring new or improved features here for everyone to enjoy. Do you have an idea for a great improvement or service project? Contact us to get started!
Initial park construction and expansion
In 1981, the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club applied for, and received, funding to construct a community park on Bumble Bee Road through Maryland's Program Open Space. Prior to this project, the land was undeveloped and minimal public park facilities existed in the central area of the county. From the original application, the purpose of the project was to "provide a recreational space for residents and visitors in an easily accessible location." In 1981, the land was cleared and a fenced softball field was constructed. In 2003, additional facilities were
this page online
Partners: The Club worked with the Commissioners of Garrett County and Maryland's Department of Natural Resources for funding and use of land. Funding was obtained through Program Open Space (POS) which symbolizes Maryland's long term commitment to conserving our natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities for our citizens. When a person buys a house or land In Maryland, a 0.5% State property transfer tax is collected which funds POS. which is then distributed to local projects.
Dog Park construction
Momentum for this project was started in Miranda Gallagher's Gifted and Talented class at Southern Middle School when they performed a county-wide survey on the interest in an off-leash dog park in Garrett County in January 2014. Seventy-four percent of the respondents to the survey expressed a strong desire for a dog park, with a large majority indicating they would visit the park on a daily, weekly or bi-weekly basis. The Club had been looking for ways to attract more visitors here and agreed that the central location
Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 12, 2025
2. It takes a community... to build a community park Marker
Partners: A team was formed from representatives of the Lion's Club, HART, Ms. Gallagher and her G&T class to plan, raise funds for and build the fencing. Through Program Open Space and money raised through dog washes, 5k races and craft shows, the group was able to build the initial phase of the dog park.
Memorial bench
The Queens gather each year to celebrate their friendships. As many as 28 women, from all over the country, make the trip for a three day weekend each spring. Several of the group met while attending West Virginia University. As the years have moved on, additional women have been invited and the group has grown. While they have traveled to other locations over the years, they seem to migrate back to the Deep Creek area for their annual retreat. After the recent death of friend Linda Z., the Queens decided they wanted to place a memorial for her and other women who have made a difference in their lives. The Lions Club Park was the perfect location for the bench. One may ask how you become a member of The Queens. One answer is engraved on the bench "You must have a big heart, and love to laugh..."
Partners: The Queens are an informal group of friends who collected money to purchase the memorial bench for one of them who had recently passed away. Working with the Club, they found an appropriate spot for the bench and held a dedication ceremony.
Construction of dugouts and storage shed
The ball field at the park is available to the public for practices and games. The field as was originally constructed only included a bench for each of the teams playing. Even in Garrett County, the sun can be strong, so the coaches asked if covered dugouts could be built. The club contacted the carpentry class at Northern High School, which built the present dugouts for the cost of materials. The project provided them with the opportunity to apply their skills on a real work site. In 2019, the carpentry class built a storage shed for game supplies and field maintenance equipment, also for the cost of materials, which the club transported to the park. In 2020, the grounds crew of Garrett College made improvements to the dugouts, field and bleachers.
Partners: The club worked with Garrett College and Northern High School to plan, design and build the new dugouts and storage shed for the softball field. Funding was provided by the club for these projects.
Scoreboard and field improvements
As two organizations dedicated to serving the community and making the world a better place, The Boy Scouts of America and Lions Clubs have often worked together on projects. To earn the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in Scouting, a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. As part of the service requirement, a prospective Eagle Scout must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, school, or the community. Eagle Scout Alex Phares completed his required service project here at our park by constructing the support for a new electronic scoreboard, building helmet cubbies for the dugouts and improving the infield surface.
Partners: Alex enlisted the help of his fellow Scouts and Scoutmasters from Troop 49 from Morgantown, WV for the manual labor. He also solicited the contribution of funds and materials from 84 Lumber, Halian Landscapes, Walmart and Tractor Supply.
Meshach Browning Trail System
Many users of the dog park suggested additional walking trails around the park. In response to this feedback, the Club worked with the County Commissioners to develop a trail system on additional parcels of land owned by the County adjacent to the park. Also during the period, several Club members happened to be discussing Meshach Browning's book Forty Four Years of the Life of a Hunter, an autobiographical account of pioneer life in Garrett County in the early 1800's. The site of one of Browning's homesteads was very close to the park, and the Club decided to base the trail system on Browning's life and times.
Partners: Members of the Club collaborated with various organizations such as Garrett Trails for assistance in trail clearing and the Garrett County Historical Society in development of content for the interpretive exhibit. An informal group of Meshach Browning enthusiasts was also recruited on social media to work on the text and images of the signs. Funding and labor was provided by the club and Program Open Space.
Little Free Pantry and Library
As part of Alex Hanline's "Be the Change Project" (who was a 4th grader at Crellin Elementary at the time) the Club funded the construction of a Little Free Pantry and Little Free Library that were installed here at the park. In Alex's words:
"On my visits to cities, I have seen homeless and hungry people. It really bothered me, and I have wanted to help them. I learned that people go hungry everywhere, not just in big cities. I want to help people who are homeless, low on food or having a tough time in Garrett County. I want to build Little Free Pantries. They are kind of like Little Free Libraries, but they are full of food, instead of books."
The Pantry and Library are kept filled through the donations of community members and organizations and rarely go empty.
Partners: Alex Hanline's "Be the Change" project inspired the Club to fund the construction of these and community members keep the project going.
Visually Impaired Art Garden
Around the pavilion area, the Club has installed a number of structures to display art projects created by participants in the Blind Skier and Blind Camper programs. The art pieces were designed to be enjoyed by those with a variety of sensory levels, and include visual, audio and tactile features. These include a ceramic cylinder totem garden, engraved copper panels, posts of hand glazed relief letters, ceramic wind chimes and tactile stained glass windows.
Partners: The club works with the Maryland School for the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind to conduct the Blind Skier and Camper programs. Funding was provided by the club for these projects.
The Glades at Meshach Run Disc Golf Course
Disc golfers had limited opportunities for courses around Garrett County. A group of enthusiasts pitched the idea of the County's first public disc golf course to the club as a new feature at the park with fairly low cost and maintenance. The Club voted to fund the material side of the project, with the local group of disc golfers volunteering to build it, and sponsorships solicited from businesses and organizations to further offset costs. The front 9 holes of the course were constructed in around 3 months, with the back 9 opening about 6 months after that.
Partners: Volunteers (listed on the disc golf welcome sign) provided labor, the Club provided up-front costs and sponsors (also noted on the course signage) paid for the rest of the expenses.
Erected by Deep Creek Lake Lions Club.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1981.
Location. 39° 34.39′ N, 79° 20.125′ W. Marker is near McHenry, Maryland, in Garrett County. It can be reached from Bumble Bee Road 1.3 miles north of Mosser Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in Deep Creek Lions Club Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1249 Bumble Bee Road, Mc Henry MD 21541, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Western Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Blind Campers Given the Joy of Outdoors Fun With the Deep Creek Lake Lions Club (here, next to this marker); Doing Good at Deep Creek Lake (here, next to this marker); Deep Creek Lake Lions Give Sight-Challenged Students the Adventure of a Lifetime (here, next to this marker); Deep Creek Lake (a few steps from this marker); Meshach Browning surveys a mountain sunset (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Meshach Browning Trail System (about 300 feet away); Life in Western Maryland during the Pioneer Era (about 300 feet away); Mary Browning and her Tree of Life (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McHenry.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
