Delmar residents speak out over upcoming Jeep event at Connelly Mill Rd. quarry

DELMAR, Md. – Safari at the Quarry is set to bring Jeep enthusiasts from across the region to the Maryland side of Delmar on May 4th and 5th.

Mixed Feelings

Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano says it could be a big boon for the local economy.

“The closest place that has anything like this is three or four hours away,” Giordano said. “As the County Executive, it’s my job to get visitors to come into Wicomico County, enjoy our county, and spend money here in our county.”

However, some Shadow Hill residents are feeling decidedly unenthusiastic about the event, slated to take place on the property off of Connelly Mill Road. A petition to terminate the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that is making the event possible, has garnered more than 300 signatures.

“[People] need to stand up, they need to write to Julie Giordano, and they need to let the County Council know that they support this park,” said Shadow Hills resident, Michael Goldberg. “The economic impacts are minimal. We need sustainable, year-round economic stimulus. And, that’s what a park of this magnitude would generate.”

Park Plans Dashed?

The “park” in question was an idea for development on the 234-acre property, which was donated to the County from the Connelly Mill Ltd. Partnership in 2018. It’s currently being used as a dirt collection site for the county’s landfill.

However, Shadow Hills residents say the vision for the public park was a bright one, and the reason why they agreed to take part in that donation in the first place.

“We’re thoroughly happy that we can help the county, but as long as it’s done with regard to what’s been represented to us; that a public park will be developed with the remainder of it,” said Shadow Hills resident Holly Campbell. “We were on board with that decision.”

The residents say they feel cheated out of the chance at having a natural oasis in their own backyards. One family says they specifically chose the neighborhood, because the realtor told them about the idea to establish the nearby site as a public park.

“We wanted to find a place where we could raise our children, and enjoy the outdoors,” said Shadow Hills resident Mikele Dahlen. “We looked into it, and we thought how absolutely lovely, and we were completely sold.”

Dahlen says beyond her family, a public park on the property could be a “treasure” for all of Wicomico County.

“It’s got the highest elevation, it’s got three creeks and watersheds, it can be adjoined to trails in the Naylor Mill Forest,” Dahlen said. “It has the availability of kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing.”

A New Idea

County Executive Julie Giordano argues that discussion was paused years ago by the County Council, before she took office. She adds that that bringing in Safari at the Quarry doesn’t mean a public park isn’t possible in the future.

Council President John Cannon tells 47 ABC WMDT that Giordano’s claims are inconsistent, however. He says Council approved $100,000 in funding in its Capital Improvement Plan for the year of 2027, in order to move forward with construction of a park.

To bring the event to Wicomico County, Giordano signed a contract with LiveWire Media & Events’ CEO, Brad Hoffman. The 364-day agreement allows enough time for the company to prep the site, and return it back to its original condition after the event, says Giordano.

Giordano adds that while there is no cap on how many times the event may return through its 364-day contract, the only one currently planned is the one that is upcoming in May.

Done Deal

However, Goldberg says that MOU is where many of the problems begin.

“It is poorly drafted, has many pitfalls and ambiguities,” Goldberg said. “It did not undergo the level of legal review that would be appropriate for a contract of this nature.” Goldberg also argues that Safari at the Quarry will not have as big of a local economic impact as advertised.

Giordano, though, says the deal is done; and, with a partner that’s already established a successful pattern, with events like Ocean City Jeep Week.

“We are not in the business of going back on our word,” Giordano said. “This is somebody who is an established businessman, who does these events all up and down the East Coast.”

Congestion Concerns

Residents also harbor worries over whether the site will be able to safely host event participants. Goldberg stressed that local law enforcement may be taken away from other duties on the day of the event, to help with traffic control.

“There are going to be traffic backups. There is no place to stage all of those vehicles. There’s a single access road with no parking, and it’s barely wide enough to fit two vehicles,” Goldberg said.

Giordano says that’s been planned for, however. A traffic safety plan, she says, was submitted to the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office on March 7th, and she has a safety planning meeting is slated with the organizer for this week. Additionally, drivers will stage at Kylan Barn further north, and will be staggered into smaller groups, visiting the site in turns.

“Most of the Jeeps will be [at Kylan Barn], they’ll register there, and then when it’s their time to go to the course, they will go to Connelly Mill, be in there for a few hours, and then they leave,” Giordano said. “We have not heard anything negative [directly] from the Sheriff’s Office, or of any concern.”

Preservation Versus Passion

The residents say they’re all for hobbyists pursuing their passions; however, not on land that they believe was originally slated for preservation.

“You have to see the big picture. A lot of effort went in, and a lot of study went in for the big picture for everybody,” Campbell said. “There’s no reason to disregard that now, and go with plan B.”

“There needs to be a place that doesn’t erase years of working history, that isn’t an environmentally sensitive land, and that doesn’t take away such a valuable resource,” Dahlen added.

Existing Worries

Plus, the residents say, they are already dealing with illegal dirt bike and ATV riding on that property. They fear that reserving the space for events like Safari at the Quarry could encourage more of that activity.

Goldberg says site security needs to be beefed up, including the installation of fencing on the north and east property lines, as well as more signage warning against trespassing. Residents are also concerned, Goldberg says, about the visibility that Safari at the Quarry may bring to the property. Turning the property into a public park may help curb those concerns, he says.

“There are inherent hazards out there with the deep pits, a pond, and of course the illegal intrusion and noise,” Goldberg said.

However, Giordano says, steps have already been taken to further secure the site, including putting up more signage. She adds that the residents should “be careful what you wish for” in requesting the designation of a public park on the property; it may actually increase that visibility, she says.

“I think there’s just two sides to that argument,” Giordano said. “Yes, maybe [Safari at the Quarry will] sort of advertises this place. But on the other end, turning it into a park will do the same thing.”

Looking Ahead

Even with the event less than a month away, its future beyond the 364-day contract remains uncertain. Giordano says if the event does not prove successful, it may scrapped all together in the future.

“After the event, we’ll do a whole analysis of everything to see if it was worth having, and we’ll make a decision after that,” Giordano said. “We are trying very hard to create fun experiences here in Wicomico County… and this is just another idea.”

Shadow Hills residents, meanwhile, plan to keep up the fight for a public park, and against Safari at the Quarry.

“I can assure you, we are not backing away,” Goldberg said. “They want to create a four by four culture on this property. I’ll tell you this: [Giordano] has no intention of turning this into a park for everyone.”