The Art Park
My name is Tom Watts. My career was spent in St. Mary’s County, mostly in Lexington Park.
In those early days of Lexington Park, you often had to do several things to make a living. I worked as a bartender, insurance agent, real estate developer and eventually worked as a banker. This diverse working experience has given me insights into the trials and tribulations of owning and sustaining a business in Southern Maryland.
In addition to business, I worked in many community-oriented efforts including the 350th anniversary celebration, the St. Mary’s County Arts Forum, and the Community Development Commission, and was appointed to serve on the St. Mary’s County Planning Commission.
I continue to enjoy memories of the area prior to the Thomas Johnson Bridge, development of Rt. 235, and the first fast food franchises. The county seemed then divided between those who wanted to keep the County as it had always been, and newcomers who demanded more conveniences and services.
Now retired, I have been asked and am anxious to share my reflections on and aspirations for the future of Lexington Park and St. Mary’s County, including my dream of an Art Park with outdoor installation for downtown Lexington Park.
Stories:
- Fri, 25 Sep 2020 - Music Series Continues With Oct. 2-3 Events
- Mon, 22 Apr 2019 - Landmark MB&T Bank For Lease or Sale
- Tue, 4 Apr 2017 - Cherry Trees Bloom Ahead of April 9 Festival
- Tue, 3 Jan 2017 - Lexington Park Seeks Artist for First Public Mural
- Mon, 12 Dec 2016 - Lexington Park Joins Public Mural Revival
- Tue, 23 Aug 2016 - Kay Daugherty Gallery Opens with a Reunion
- Mon, 8 Aug 2016 - Hewitt’s ‘Banquet Years’ Opens Kay Daugherty Gallery
- Tue, 2 Aug 2016 - Kay Daugherty Gallery Opens Aug. 12
- Wed, 27 Jul 2016 - ‘The Banquet Years’ Opens at AMG
- Tue, 28 Jun 2016 - The Flattops Evolve: Into a Tree Museum
- Wed, 2 Dec 2015 - Slackwater: Lex Park, the Inside of the Beast
- Mon, 27 Jul 2015 - County to Craft Economic Strategy
- Mon, 18 May 2015 - 2nd Forum to Promote Local Manufacturing
- Thu, 19 Mar 2015 - Growing & Sustaining “Maker” Business
- Mon, 2 Feb 2015 - Lex Park Businesses Keep Growing
- Tue, 3 Jun 2014 - A Wider Perspective & Lexington Park is Booming
- Thu, 27 Feb 2014 - Sights and Colors of Ethiopia
- Fri, 17 Jan 2014 - A New Winner & A New Contest
- Sun, 12 Jan 2014 - Cold Weather, WARM Hearts
- Fri, 10 Jan 2014 - The Answer Is: Great American Desert
- Thu, 2 Jan 2014 - Ballet Caliente Gets New Digs
- Sat, 14 Dec 2013 - Belly Dancers Join ‘On Our Own’ Holiday Party
- Mon, 9 Dec 2013 - Raley’s Furnishings: 55 Years in Lexington Park
- Fri, 6 Dec 2013 - Where in the World Extra from The Art Park
- Tue, 26 Nov 2013 - CrossFit PAX Calls It ‘The Bunker’ – And It Fits Everyone
- Fri, 15 Nov 2013 - Artist Mortified; Tosses Out No-Brainer
- Tue, 12 Nov 2013 - LexPark Civic Group Meets Wed. at a Different Locale
- Tue, 5 Nov 2013 - A Lex Park Founder Joins Philanthropy Hall of Fame
- Sat, 19 Oct 2013 - FREE Pool Party at Great Mills Pool
- Tue, 15 Oct 2013 - Lexington Park Retailers Not Feeling Downturn
- Mon, 7 Oct 2013 - “Discover Lex Park” – This Wednesday @ LPBCA
- Mon, 9 Sep 2013 - Library Is the Heart of Lexington Park
- Wed, 4 Sep 2013 - Lexington Park, Where Are You?
- Thu, 30 May 2013 - Can an Athletic Center Save Lexington Park?
- Mon, 13 May 2013 - Bus Service Starts to Charlotte Hall Park & Ride
- Tue, 7 May 2013 - Don’t Revitalize, Re-Purpose Lexington Park
- Mon, 28 Jan 2013 - Lexington Park Gets Funding for Health Care Partnership
- Tue, 11 Dec 2012 - Old Warehouse Converted to CrossFitPax Gym
- Fri, 16 Nov 2012 - Health Care Partnership Coming to Lexington Park
- Sun, 14 Oct 2012 - See Art That Sparkles at Annmarie Garden
- Sat, 14 Apr 2012 - Site Specific Art: Lexington Park
- Mon, 2 Apr 2012 - How Art Can Save Lexington Park
- Wed, 18 Jan 2012 - Edgy, Arty, Lexington Park