Background
The Town of Myersville foresaw a need to design a new park for the enjoyment of its citizens. The vision called for the design of a 24-acre municipal park located within the floodplain of Little Catoctin and Middle creeks. The amenities would include a soccer field, baseball diamonds, bleachers, picnic area, pavilion, tot lot and 120-vehicle parking lot.

Challenges
To efficiently proceed and to meet stormwater regulations, ARRO developed hydrologic and hydraulic models of the 34-square mile watershed and utilized an HEC-1 computer program to calibrate peak flows for various storm events.

They also utilized HEC-RAS to develop existing and proposed 100-year floodplains and a 100-year floodway for the proposed 24-acre park at the confluence of Little Catoctin and Middle creeks.

The Solution
ARRO proceeded with the new park in three phases.

The improvements for Phase I consisted of:

• A new entrance to the park
• State Route 17 grading, storm drainage, paving and pavement markings for widening  
• Grading, storm drainage and gravel for 100 parking spaces
• Mass grading of ball fields
• Sediment and erosion control
• Seeding and mulching disturbed areas

The improvements for Phase 2A consisted of:

• Paving the basketball court, walk/bike path
• Installing 40 linear feet of CMPA culvert
• Installing four baseball field bleacher pads
• Hot mix asphalt parking lot paving
• Signage, markings and related work

The improvements for Phase 2B consisted of constructing a new pavilion, furnishing and installing site lighting, minor grading, seeding and mulching disturbed areas, and related work.

The Results

The entire three-phase plan was executed successfully. The big winners were the kids who received a big boost from the Wolfsville-Myersville Athletic Association. They were involved from the beginning, and with the additional cooperation of the town and ARRO, the Doubs Meadow Park is now a treasured community jewel. In addition, the stormwater management solution resulted in a beautiful wetlands that complements the shared space of the park.