Constitution Park duck pond to be transformed into multiuse area
Oct. 4—CUMBERLAND — Plans are underway to revive the duck pond at Constitution Park.
The area, which fell into disrepair over the years, will be transformed into a landscaped water centerpiece with a walking track around it, Cumberland Administrator Jeff Silka said.
"It's gonna be a really nice feature," he told the mayor and City Council during a work session Tuesday.
At a subsequent city meeting, the council approved nearly $17,000 of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, a federal law passed in 2021 to provide economic relief due to problems caused by the global pandemic, for the duck pond project that will include a "multi-functional area," Silka said.
The council also authorized purchase of a professional service contract for $28,465 from ServicePro for improvements at the duck pond.
The pond beautification project continues with support from the city's parks and streets departments, Cumberland Public Works Operations Manager Brooke Cassell said and added that brush and overgrowth in the area has been removed, and better drainage is now in place, and landscaping quotes are being solicited.
Other upgrades at the park include wood replacement on some of the concrete picnic tables, and a repaired sewer line in the pool area.
Folks who want to join Friends of Constitution Park are encouraged to email their name, phone number and ideas to improve the park to Ryan Mackey, director of parks and recreation, at ryan.mackey@cumberlandmd.gov.
In other city news:
—The street department will begin its annual leaf collection project Oct. 30 and continue through Dec. 15.
—The council recognized Josef Sneathen for his Eagle Scout project of building dug-outs at Holly Fields in LaVale.
—City officials also commended Mason Trub for his Eagle Scout project at Rose Hill Cemetery.
—Silka was authorized to accept a proposal from Cargill Incorporated to provide up to $200,000 for road salt.
—The purchase of a new Ford F600 Pacific Tek Power Vac Truck from Infrastructure Solutions Group for roughly $208,000 was also approved.
Teresa McMinn is a reporter for the Cumberland Times-News. She can be reached at 304-639-2371 or tmcminn@times-news.com.
